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Welcome back Chris! Smalling ends miserable Manchester United exile by sealing £18m permanent move to Roma... with Serie A side 'filing final paperwork 60 SECONDS before Italian transfer deadline'

Chris Smalling's exit from Manchester United edged ever closer after the Italian FA confirmed Roma had completed their paperwork on time for his £18million move.

The Manchester United defender spent the day awaiting news of whether the Serie A side and the Old Trafford club had reached accord on his transfer and by early evening an £18m deal, which included all add-ons, had been agreed.

Despite concerns in Italy that paperwork had not been finalised prior to the deadline, Sportsmail understands everything was correct and Smalling is now close to sealing a permanent move to the Stadio Olimpico.