Roma’s excitement over Leon Bailey’s arrival quickly turned to concern as the winger suffered an injury in his very first training session with the club. The setback casts an early shadow on what was meant to be a fresh chapter in Italy.
Bailey, who joined on loan from Aston Villa earlier on Wednesday, was confirmed by Roma to have sustained a suspected myotendinous tear in his right rectus femoris. The injury occurred during afternoon training session, cutting short his introduction to Serie A before it had even begun.
The club announced that the Jamaican international will undergo further tests to determine the severity. If confirmed, the injury could keep him sidelined for several weeks, disrupting both his integration into the squad and the team’s plans for the opening fixtures.
The news is a cruel twist for a player eager to revive his career after an inconsistent spell at Villa. Bailey made 144 appearances in England, showing flashes of brilliance but struggling with fitness and form. Roma had hoped the move would unlock his full potential, offering him a chance to shine in a new environment.
His injury also comes at a time when Roma are reshaping their attack. Earlier in the window, they secured Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, another Premier League import. Bailey was expected to bring pace and creativity on the wings, complementing the squad’s new look.
Injury setbacks of this kind are not uncommon. Barcelona’s Ibrahim Diarra was ruled out of pre-season last month with a similar problem, highlighting the difficulty players face in adapting to new training demands. For Bailey, it is a reminder of how fragile momentum can be in football.
Supporters who had been buzzing about his arrival must now wait anxiously to see how quickly he recovers. For Roma, the priority is clear, manage the situation carefully and hope their new signing can still make an impact this season.
