Bailey’s start to life at Roma delayed by injury

REPORTS SUGGEST Leon Bailey, who recently signed a season-long loan with Italian Serie A team AS Roma, might be out for at least three weeks after his first training session at the club yesterday.

Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reported yesterday that the injury was muscular but did not have any idea of its severity.

“He picked up a muscle injury and Roma are set to conduct tests tomorrow (today) to find out the extent of the damage. It may be three weeks, as long as there isn’t a tear,” read a report from the newspaper.

AS Roma announced the signing of Bailey from Aston Villa on Monday, revealing the winger’s loan agreement came with an option to buy.

Bailey is the first Jamaican footballer in AS Roma history. Born in Kingston, he moved to Europe at the age of 13 and has played professionally for Genk, Bayer Leverkusen, and Aston Villa.

Bailey, who just turned 28, has made 377 appearances in domestic and international league competitions, racking up 76 goals.

He chose the number 31 jersey on Monday and was welcomed with much fanfare.

Bailey made 144 appearances for Villa since he signed for the club from Bayer Leverkusen in 2021, and became a regular starter for Unai Emery’s side over his first couple of seasons with the club, but saw game time limited in the latter half of last season after suffering an injury.

Bailey helped Villa to the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season where he scored and assisted in the last-16 tie against Club Brugge.

He is just the second player from the Premier League to sign for Roma after Brighton striker Evan Ferguson made the move earlier in the window.