The Italian club Terra has officially announced the signing of young Portuguese midfielder Rodrigo Mora from Porto for a fee of €25 million (approximately R$ 151 million). The 19-year-old player signed a contract running until June 2031 and has already selected the number 86 shirt.
Rodrigo Mora Completes €25 Million Transfer to Roma from Porto
In an official statement, the Italian club stated that Roma was pleased to announce the arrival of Rodrigo Mora from Porto, highlighting that the midfielder scored 16 goals in 80 appearances for the “Dragões”. As part of the transfer agreement, the Portuguese club will retain a 50% entitlement to any future sale of Mora, unless Roma opts to pay an additional €25 million.
Despite his youth, Mora has already accumulated two professional seasons and a call-up to the Portugal national team, although he has not yet made an appearance for the senior squad. Qualified for the upcoming UEFA Champions League, Roma has aggressively reinforced its squad during the transfer window, adding several key players alongside Mora.
Squad Reinforcements and Emotional Farewell to Porto
Alongside Rodrigo Mora, the capital club secured Argentine forward Santiago Castro from Bologna for €35 million (R$ 212 million), Argentine right-back Nahuel Molina from Atlético de Madrid for €17 million (R$ 103 million), and Greek central defender Konstantinos Koulierakis from Wolfsburg for €16.5 million (R$ 100 million). Roma also made the purchases of Dutch forward Donyell Malen from Aston Villa for €25 million (R$ 151 million) and Italian defender Daniele Ghilardi from Hellas Verona for €8 million (R$ 48 million) permanent, following prior loan spells.
The move marks Mora’s departure from Porto, a club he joined at just nine years old. Following the announcement, the player shared an emotional farewell message on social media, writing that FC Porto was a part of his childhood and adolescence, and that it would forever be a part of his life. He added that he would follow his path, but there were things that would never change, noting that the accent of the North was within him and wherever he went there would always be a little more blue, concluding that FC Porto would always be the club of his heart. Former teammate Samu also reacted to the transfer on social media, expressing sadness over the departure, while Porto bid farewell to the playmaker with an emotional video tilted with the message “Roma, cuida bem dele”.
A New Chapter Under Gasperini and Champions League Ambitions
Having already completed his initial training sessions with his new team, Mora opened up about the protracted negotiations and his expectations under manager Gian Piero Gasperini in an interview with ‘Romanews’. Describing the talks as difficult with various ups and downs, the player admitted he experienced anxious moments before the deal was finalized.
Discussing the tactical fit with the Italian manager, Mora noted that he was looking forward to working with the coach, expressing his belief that the manager really liked players who operate in the number 10 position and stating that he enjoyed playing there himself and would get along well with him. He also addressed his choice of the number 86 jersey, explaining that he first adopted the number at age 15 while playing for Porto’s B team and decided to keep it permanently.
Looking ahead to his immediate objectives, Mora expressed excitement about the prospect of featuring alongside Paulo Dybala—whom he grew up watching—and finally making his debut in the UEFA Champions League. Mora stated that it was something he had always dreamed of, noting that he had not yet had that opportunity and knew he was still young, but it remained a dream and a goal of his, adding that he was very happy and could not wait to play in the Champions League.
