Eight Spanish stars who've played for Roma

Bojan Krkic

Renowned as one of the hottest prospects to have emerged from the Barcelona youth academy in years, Bojan moved to Roma ahead of the 2011-12 season at the behest of Luis Enrique, who had himself left Barça that summer. Bojan was one of the first signings made under Roma’s new American ownership. The Spaniard managed seven goals in 37 appearances for the Giallorossi.

Luis Del Sol

A complete midfielder, Del Sol was both an important part of the team’s attacking play and a willing contributor in breaking down the opposition’s moves. He had a great character and was undoubtedly one of the best midfielders of the 1960s. Nominated for the Ballon d’Or on a number of occasions, he won the European Cup with Real Madrid in 1960. Del Sol moved to Roma from Juventus in 1970, making 57 appearances and scoring four goals during his two-year stay in the Italian capital.

Pep Guardiola

One of the iconic players of the Barcelona sides of the 1990s, the masterful central midfielder joined Roma from Brescia in 2002. Despite his undoubted class and wealth of international experience, the 31-year-old Guardiola made just six appearances during his brief spell in the Italian capital, returning to Brescia in January 2003.

Joaquin Peiró

A talented, pacey forward, Peiró wore the Giallorossi shirt for four seasons between 1966 and 1970, racking up 131 appearances and netting 29 goals. He won the Coppa Italia with Roma in 1969, scoring home and away against Foggia and again against Cagliari in the final group stage to help the Giallorossi to cup glory.

Ivan Helguera

A defensive midfielder or central defender, Helguera was a classy footballer despite his slight lack of pace. He joined Roma from Albacete in the 1997-98 season at the age of 22, making nine appearances in total. Helguera would go on to play over 200 times for Real Madrid, lifting the Champions League twice with the Spanish club.

Cesar Gomez

The central defender joined Roma from Tenerife at the age of 30. He only made one start as a Giallorossi player, lining up alongside Cristian Servidei in a 3-1 defeat to Lazio in 1997. In total, Gomez made just three appearances for Roma.

Iago Falque

A pacey wide forward with bags of quality. Having joined Roma from Genoa in the summer of 2015, Falque has made 23 appearances for the Giallorossi thus far, scoring three goals – two in Serie A and one in the Champions League. He served his footballing apprenticeship in the Barcelona youth academy, but actually spent a season in the Real Madrid youth ranks before joining the Catalan club. It means that Falque will be taking on his former club in the Champions League Round of 16.

José Angel

Joining Roma ahead of the 2011-12 season, Angel made a solid start, producing respectable performances against Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League and Cagliari on the first day of the Serie A season. However, he struggled with consistency and was loaned out to Real Sociedad after the Giallorossi’s mixed season. Angel made 31 appearances in total for Roma.