Elche have agreed the signing of Javier Pastore after the player terminated his contract with Roma. A contract of one year until June 2022 has been finalised between the two parties.
The player joined Roma in 2018 for a fee worth €25 million, but injuries hampered his appearances with the capital club, and he announced his departure from the team very recently. Here is what he had to say about the decision to the fans:
“It’s not easy for me to leave this club, the city and these fans with the awareness of not being able to meet the expectations that they had in me,” he wrote.
“Anyone who knows me, knows how much I have suffered and with what commitment I have worked.
“Ours was not a lucky story, but by leaving I also feel I have kept intact a feeling of respect and gratitude towards this city and towards the people who three years ago welcomed me with love and enthusiasm.
“I wish you will be able to celebrate great success soon: Rome, Roma and their fans deserve it.”
The player rose to prominence while at PSG, scoring 16 goals and providing 6 assists across all competitions in 11/12. He reversed those numbers in 14/15, across over 50 appearances for the French club. However, repetitive injuries hampered his game time massively.
Pastore will wear the number 2 jersey at his new club. His transfer was announced around the same time as Vallecano announced the arrival of Radamel Falcao. Pastore earned 29 caps for the Argentinian national team, and scored two times.