ROME, Sep 1 (SW) – Capital side AS Roma have allowed two defenders to leave the club, but have drafted in two as replacements.

The Giallorossi have allowed Leandro Cufre to move to Monaco for a reported £2.8 million fee, whilst Ghanaian international Sammy Kuffour has joined Livorno on-loan.

Coming in to the capital club are Rodrigo Defendi and Gilbeto Martinez, from Udinese and Brescia respectively. The pair have signed on-loan for the coming campaign but can be bought outright at the end of the season.

Not joining the Giallorossi backline however, is Korean Lee Young-Pyo.

The player has decided to remain with Tottenham, with Roma official Daniele Prade explaining:

“We had reached an agreement in every detail with Tottenham and Lee’s agent.

“When everything had been sorted out and the time of the medical booked, the player unexpectedly said he didn’t want to join Roma, stating it was a personal and religious matter. At this point, and with great surprise, all we could do was respect his decision.”

The player himself countered these claims, talking whilst on his way to a national team training camp.

“I changed my mind for personal reasons. I will give more details when I arrive in Korea, but my decision has nothing to do with religion.”