Bologna FC 1909 has officially confirmed the signing of centre-forward Artem Dovbyk from AS Roma. The deal brings the Ukrainian striker to the club on a temporary basis until June 30, 2027, with an included option for Bologna to make the move permanent. Reports suggest the loan arrangement involves a fee of €3m for the 2026-27 season, with a subsequent purchase option valued at €18m.
This transfer coincides with the departure of Santiago Castro, who has moved from Bologna to Roma in a permanent deal. The Giallorossi secured the Argentine forward for a total cost of €35m plus bonuses, alongside a 10% sell-on clause.
Dovbyk, born in 1997, becomes the first Ukrainian player in Bologna’s history. The club described him as a modern striker who balances physical power with technical quality. His career path saw him develop in his homeland with Dnipro-1 before gaining prominence in Europe. During his time at Girona in the 2023-24 campaign, he was a key figure in their successful push for Champions League qualification, finishing as the La Liga top scorer with 24 goals.
Following his move to De Rossi’s Roma, Dovbyk recorded 17 goals across all competitions during his debut season. However, his 2025-26 campaign was heavily impacted by fitness issues and a long-term injury, limiting him to only 14 league appearances after a strong start in Rome. Bologna views the arrival of the striker as a significant step for their offensive department, citing his personality and proven scoring ability as key assets for the team moving forward.
