Justin Kluivert reflects on Roma past as Bournemouth star shows maturity

Justin Kluivert says he still looks back fondly on his turbulent spell at Roma, insisting he holds “no hard feelings” toward the club despite failing to live up to expectations in the Italian capital. The Bournemouth forward spoke to Cronache di Spogliatoio this week — comments relayed by Tuttomercatoweb — and opened up on how his time in Serie A shaped both his career and his personal life.

Kluivert joined Roma in 2018 in an €18.75m deal after emerging at Ajax, arriving with enormous expectation on his shoulders. But he never settled fully, scoring nine goals and providing 10 assists in 68 games before embarking on a series of loan spells at RB Leipzig, Nice and Valencia. In 2023 he left permanently to join Bournemouth for €10.8m, and under Andoni Iraola he has found continuity that long eluded him.

Rather than dwelling on what might have been, Kluivert says he now views the Roma chapter with perspective.

“Every now and then I look at photos from that period and say, ‘Mamma mia, how small I was.’ I’ve had my ups and downs, but they made me who I am today. I was a child — today I’m a father.”

Despite the mixed spell, Kluivert admits he still follows Roma closely, particularly under Gian Piero Gasperini as they mount a genuine push for the Serie A title.

“I often watch Roma, especially in Europe. I support them and hope they win the Scudetto.”

Having followed Kluivert’s career through his early Ajax rise and his travels across Europe, the nuance is clear: maturity has transformed his perspective. What once felt like a stalled chapter now feels like a stepping stone — a reminder of the expectations he faced and the lessons he learned.

Although some fans once labelled his Roma period a missed opportunity, Kluivert’s message suggests acceptance rather than regret.

In our view, Kluivert’s reflections show a level of maturity rarely seen in players who were once branded as prodigies. Although some observers still describe his Roman spell as a disappointment, other indicators suggest it gave him a platform to understand adversity and tactical variation across leagues.

A nuance worth noting: his adaptability — shaped through Bundesliga, Ligue 1, La Liga and now Premier League experiences — has made him a more versatile and team-focused player. Bournemouth are benefiting from the grown-up version of Kluivert, not the raw talent who left Ajax with the world at his feet.

Bournemouth host Chelsea tomorrow at the Vitality Stadium, with Kluivert expected to feature again as Iraola’s side look to build momentum. His growing maturity and tactical discipline make him a likely starter in a match where Bournemouth will need energy and precision in transition.

👉 Do you think Kluivert is now finally delivering on the potential many saw at Ajax — or has his career taken a different, equally valuable trajectory?