Musa Juwara, refugee in 2016, player from Bologna until 2024

Text by: Tom Rossi Follow

3 min

Gambian Musa Juwara has extended his contract with Italian club Bologna until June 2024. Four years after crossing the Mediterranean alone to reach Europe, and less than two months after scoring his first professional goal, the beautiful story continues for this young 18-year-old striker.

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An extraordinary destiny. Left alone from Gambia at the age of 14, Musa Juwara is today one of the future players of a historic club in the Italian championship, Bologna FC 1909. The 18-year-old striker signed this Saturday, August 29, a four-year contract with the “Rossoblu” . 

✍️ | RINNOVO!

Musa Juwara prolunga fino al 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣

👉 https://t.co/ZOUgWNHrY5#WeAreReady #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/ds02ygRaKq

Arrived last summer from Chievo Verona where he took part in only one Serie A match, Musa Juwara was initially supposed to reinforce the reserve team of Bologna. But, seduced by his performance, coach Siniša Mihajlović quickly called on him for a Cup meeting, lost 4-0 on the lawn of Udinese, on December 4. A bad evening that will not prevent him from coming back with the first team to make ends meet, before scoring his first goal on the lawn of Inter Milan on July 5. An achievement that allows his team to win against a competitor of Juventus Turin for the title (1-2). A "dream" for the Gambian. 

A talented refugee

The whole of Italy then seized on its story: that of a child who left his country alone in 2016 for a seven-month journey through Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Libya and finally , the Mediterranean Sea where he will be collected with 500 other migrants by the ship of a German NGO. In Italy, after the refugee centers, a couple welcomes him and helps him obtain a player's license, which the federation does not issue to unaccompanied minors. His talent allows him to sign for Chievo Verona in 2017 where he shines in the youth categories. His small size (1.70m) propels him more to the side of the attack where he can more express his qualities: speed and dribbling.

Assets that convinced the 12th in Serie A to bet on him for the future, after seven appearances in the league this season. This should also be done by Gambia coach, the Belgian Tom Saintfiet. 

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