Thomas Vermaelen to Roma: Latest Loan Details, Reaction and More

Barcelona confirmed that centre-back Thomas Vermaelen was loaned to AS Roma on Monday with the option for a permanent move at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old joined Barca from Arsenal in 2014 for £15 million, but a string of injuries meant he turned out only 11 times in La Liga for the Blaugrana, per WhoScored.com.

Given his constant fitness concerns, Roma have taken something of a gamble on bringing in Vermaelen, but he remains an accomplished and experienced centre-back.

He was arguably Belgium's best player at UEFA Euro 2016, per ESPN FC's John Chapman.

During his time at Arsenal, he was included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in 2010 and appointed club captain in 2012.

Having also served as captain at Ajax, he has excellent leadership qualities, which should be beneficial for Roma should he manage to stay fit.

An aerial presence and fine distributor, Vermaelen will likely relish the opportunity to make a fresh start with Roma, who also took on his former Arsenal team-mate, Wojciech Szczesny, with another loan move this summer.

His time at Barcelona was a huge disappointment in the main, but he can re-establish himself as a top-class defender in Serie A if he can produce a prolonged period of good form.

He is only 30 and should still have a good few years left in his career as long as he can avoid picking up any more serious injuries.