New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- Roma stepped up its Serie A challenge with the acquisition of two captains on Sunday, with midfielder Marten De Roon coming over from Atalanta and center back Leonardo Balerdi joining from Marseille.

The 35-year-old De Roon evolved into Atalanta's captain after a total of a decade spent at the Bergamo squad in two spells. He'll reunite with Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who formerly coached him at Atalanta.

Gasperini said the deal was done in two days after De Roon - who has also been a regular for the Netherlands - fell out of favor under current Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri.

"I got in contact with (Atalanta owner) Luca Percassi and they decided to give (De Roon) the freedom to do what he wanted after givin...