PSV, AS Roma reach deal on Strootman

The Hague, July 17 (IANS)

Kevin Strootman of PSV Eindhoven takes the ball past Viktor Lundberg of AIK during the UEFA Europa League group stage match between PSV Eindhoven and AIK held on October 25, 2012 at the PSV Stadion, in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Vincent Jannink/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

PSV Eindhoven and AS Roma have reached an agreement on the transfer of Kevin Strootman to Italy, the Dutch football club announced.

Strootman travelled to Rome to undergo the medical examination and to agree personal terms Tuesday and was expected to sign a four-year deal Wednesday, reports Xinhua.

Dutch media reported AS Roma will pay 17 to 19 million euros ($22.3 to 25 million) for the 23-year-old left-footed midfielder.

“A transfer like this cannot be stopped, it’s one of the biggest transfers in the history of PSV,” technical manager Marcel Brands explained. “But also a major sporting loss.”

The 23-year-old Strootman started his career at Sparta Rotterdam and moved from the Dutch second division club to FC Utrecht in the January 2011 transfer window.

Half a year later, Strootman joined PSV. The 18-time Dutch international led PSV to the Dutch Cup and the Dutch Super Cup in 2012.

PSV have already sold Erik Pieters to Stoke City, Dries Mertens to Napoli and Jeremain Lens to Dynamo Kiev this summer. The club brought in Karim Rekik (Manchester City, on loan), Adam Maher (AZ Alkmaar), Florian Jozefzoon (RKC Waalwijk) and Jeffrey Bruma (Chelsea).