Vermaelen joins Roma on loan from Barca

Barcelona - Belgian international defender Thomas Vermaelen, has joined Roma from Barcelona on a one-year loan deal with a purchase option, the Spanish side said on Monday.

The 30-year-old Vermaelen spent fives seasons at Arsenal before joining Barcelona two-years ago, missing almost a whole season with injury.

Last season, however, culminated with 21 first team games and a run to the quarters of the Euro with Belgium.

Barcelona signed two defenders from France in the close season with the 22-year-old Paris Saint Germain full back Lucas Digne, who was on loan at Roma last season signing for the Spanish champions, and Samuel Umtiti joining the Catalans from Lyon in a deal worth €25 million ($27.7 million).