After enjoying the goalkeeping heroics of Wojciech Szczesny and Alisson Becker during the latter half of the 2010s, Roma fans faced the inevitable disappointment that comes with replacing a world-class goalkeeper. While none of Antonio Mirante, Pau Lopez, or Rui Patricio failed in their duties, they simply couldn't match the shot-stopping prowess or flair for the dramatic of their predecessors, especially Alisson, who Roma sold for a world-record fee in 2018.
Roma filled the gap adequately with experienced veterans, but aside from a brief dalliance with Daniel Fuzato several years ago, the club eschewed younger goalkeepers. So when Roma signed Mile Svilar in 2022 as Patricio's backup, we weren't quite sure what to expect. Was he just another link in the chain or a genuine successor to Szczesny and Alisson?
Well, here we are three years later, and we can safely answer that question. After getting his first taste of first-team football under Daniele De Rossi in the spring of 2024, Svilar made the job his own last season, showcasing the same intoxicating blend of poise, aggression, technique, and cat-like reflexes that made Alisson such a sensation.
Finishing the season as the top keeper in Serie A, Svilar's future in the capital was immediately called into question. With clubs like [Bayern Munich](https://www.bavarianfootballworks.com) rumored to be interested in the 25-year-old keeper, Roma once again faced the prospect of losing their number one keeper to one of Europe's mega clubs.
Well, fear no more:
Earlier today, the club announced they have signed Svilar to a new contract through June 2030. While the club didn't make the financial details public, it's safe to assume that Svilar will receive a healthy raise over his current €1.2 million salary.
Either way, while the first transfer market of the Gasperini/Massara era is off to an incredibly slow start, kudos to the club for locking down one of the best keepers in Europe for the next half decade.
Grazie, Mile!