- Argentine soccer star Paolo Dybala was given a hero's welcome to AS Roma on Tuesday.
- Almost 10,000 fans flocked to the Square Colosseum to see the forward unveiled as the club's newest player.
Argentine soccer star Paolo Dybala was given a hero's welcome to AS Roma by the club's fans as thousands flooded the city's streets for an all-action unveiling on Tuesday night.
Dybala, who is widely regarded as one of the best forwards in world soccer, joined Roma last week as a free agent after leaving rival Juventus, signing a three-year contract.
Almost 10,000 supporters flocked to the Square Colosseum to see the 28-year-old unveiled in the club's famous jersey, setting off flares and singing the club's anthem in celebration.
Addressing the fans, Dybala said he "cannot wait" to start playing for the team and its manager, Jose Mourinho.
He then sat on the steps outside the Colosseum, which had been illuminated in the club's colors, and soaked in the atmosphere.
—AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) July 26, 2022
Dybala is already a veteran of Italian soccer despite being only 28 years old; he has made almost 400 appearances across eight seasons for Palermo and Juventus.
Roma beat off competition from Napoli and Inter Milan to land the forward, and fans have been celebrating his arrival by buying his shirt in record numbers.
According to The Jerusalem Post, fans have purchased more than 535,000 shirts with Dybala's name on since he signed with the club.
That figure surpasses the number of shirts Juventus sold after Cristiano Ronaldo joined the club in 2018.
Dybala will wear the number 21 shirt at Roma after turning down the club's iconic number 10 jersey, which hasn't been worn since the retirement of club legend Francesco Totti in 2017.
"I spoke to the general manager, and he asked if I wanted to take number 10, which of course is so significant here because of everything Francesco Totti did," said Dybala in an interview with the club.
"I think that shirt and that number should remain his because of what he means to the city and the fans."