Dacourt seals Roma move

Leeds midfielder Olivier Dacourt has tonight completed his move to Roma, for a fee of £3.5m (€5m).

Dacourt’s move will be welcomed by Leeds, who had feared the deal was about to fall through due to the long time it has taken Roma to finalise the transfer.

It provides much-needed income for the Elland Road club, who also completed the controverial sale of the midfielder Harry Kewell to Liverpool this week for £5m.

Roma will pay the fee in four instalments, with the first payment due to be made in 10 days’ time.

Dacourt – who was on loan at the Stadio Olimpico last season – has agreed a three-year contract, having impressed during his 18 appearances.

A France international with nine caps to his name, he leaves Elland Road after three years.

He joined Leeds for £7.2m from Lens in May 2000 and has also previously played for their Premiership rivals Everton and Strasbourg.

The threat of a FIFA transfer embargo did not prevent the Serie A side from completing the deal – their second of the week following the arrival of Romanian Cristian Chivu from Ajax.

Roma were warned by world football’s governing body to not sign players until they have paid an overdue debt to Peruvian club Sporting Cristal.

But Roma insist that they are doing all in their power to resolve that dispute, and the announcement of Dacourt’s permanent signing indicates it is business as usual.