Koulierakis, who joined AS Roma from VfL Wolfsburg for a fee reported between €16m and €18.5m including bonuses on a contract until 2031, spoke to the club's official channels about the background to his move, focusing on what he had been told about Gasperini before committing to the switch.
The Greek defender explained that he sought out two former Wolfsburg team-mates for their impressions of the Roma coach: "Tsimikas and Joakim Mæhle, who I got to know at Wolfsburg, told me about the coach. They told me he's one of the best coaches in Italy and I'm really excited about the idea of working with him."
Asked about his footballing influences, Koulierakis pointed to two very different figures: "As a kid my idol was Sergio Ramos, for his mentality, his strength and his character. In terms of playing style, though, I really like Aymeric Laporte. I think we have similar characteristics."
Koulierakis also revealed he had spoken to former Roma defender Kostas Manolas before accepting the move.
"We spoke on the phone this summer. It was a really pleasant conversation. We also talked about Roma, and he told me it would be a really important step for my career to sign for this great club," said Koulierakis, recalling Manolas's famous night against Barcelona for Roma.
"I know he's one of the most important players in Roma's recent history, especially for that extraordinary night against Barcelona. I remember that match, it finished 3-0, it was an incredible game."
Koulierakis, born in Crete, becomes Roma's second signing of the summer after striker Santiago Castro and has taken the number 33 shirt, having made 22 appearances for Greece since making his senior international debut at 18.
Roma's transfer business does not stop there. The club are closing in on a deal for Feyenoord full-back Givairo Read, with sporting director Tony D'Amico having raised his offer to around €29m including bonuses in what has been described as a final proposal to the Dutch club.
Feyenoord had hoped to spark a bidding war involving Premier League clubs, but Roma are not prepared to wait indefinitely, having already seen other deals this summer drag on. A decision from Feyenoord is expected within 48 hours. Read, 20, has been used at right-back and wing-back for Feyenoord and would give Gasperini another option in his back three or wing-back system, with the versatile Dutchman able to play on either flank.