El Shaarawy quit the San Siro for Monaco last summer but a clause in his contract meant the French league club had to make the 23-year-old's move permanent if he made 25 appearances.

After El Shaarawy played 24 times for the Principality side, Monaco opted not to buy, much to the delight of many Roma fans who welcomed him to Rome on Tuesday in the belief he can inject new life into their embattled campaign.

A statement by Roma said: "AS Roma are delighted to announce the signing of Stephan El Shaarawy from AC Milan.

"The Italian forward joins on a loan deal until 30 June 2016, for a fee of EUR1.4million. The agreement includes an option to make the deal permanent, for a fee of EUR13million, before the beginning of the 2016-17 season." 

El Shaarawy will be expected to slot straight into Luciano Spalletti's starting line-up after the club sold Ivorian striker Gervinho to Chinese side Hebei Fortune earlier Tuesday. 

El Shaarawy told Roma TV: "I've joined Roma to show what I can do - to myself, the coach and the Italian game as a whole.

"I hope to repay the faith the club is showing in me and therefore I want to give 100% when I play to try and achieve great things here." 

Roma sit fifth in Serie A, at 12 points behind leaders Napoli ahead of Saturday's home game against regional rivals Frosinone. 

El Shaarawy has made 17 appearances for Italy, making his senior international debut on 15 August 2012 away to England. His first goal for Italy came on 14 November 2012 against France.