Al Sadd signs Italian defender Alessio Romagnoli from Lazio

Italian centre‑back Alessio Romagnoli has completed a move to Qatari club Al Sadd. The clubs agreed on a €3 million transfer fee and the defender will earn about €6 million per year on a contract that will see him play in the Qatar Stars League.

The transfer follows a failed January attempt, after which Romagnoli, a former Lazio stalwart and Italy international, turned down a request to waive three months’ salary. With one year left on his Lazio contract, the move became inevitable. Lazio will receive the modest fee and must replace a key figure in its defence, prompting a summer‑wide reshuffle of the squad.

Al Sadd continues its strategy of signing experienced European players to boost competitiveness, while the departure marks a significant change for Lazio, which will need to rebuild its back line ahead of the next season.