FORMER Roma youngster Joseph Bouasse Perfection has tragically passed away at the age of just 21 after suffering a heart attack last night.
The Cameroonian represented the Serie A side’s prestigious academy following a successful trial in 2016.
Bouasse trained alongside the likes of Edin Dzeko (right) and Radja Nainggolan (left) at RomaCredit: La Gazzetta Dello Sport
While he never played for the first-team, he did train alongside the likes of Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti in Rome.
According to ESPN’s Andrew Cesare, Bouasse’s incredible trial success at Roma came after being left on his own at a train station by a trafficker, who had promised him a new life as a professional footballer.
He made his professional debut for Serie B side Vicenza while on loan from Roma in 2017.
Prior to his passing, he represented Universitatea Cluj in Romania, having signed for them in February.
Bouasse arrived in Italy at 16 alongside other child refugees from Cameroon, seeking a new life in Europe.
He was approached by a man who promised him a career as a footballer, but when he arrived at Rome’s Termini Station he was abandoned and alone.
Bouasse, just a teenager a world away from his family, sought refuge at a local centre. He was picked up by Liberi Nantes — Italy’s only team made up solely of refugees.
There he began to enjoy himself and rediscovered his passion for life.
Bouasse lived the dream at AS Roma
Roma XIs and “legends” teams regularly play friendlies against Liberi Nantes — and the Italian giants were alerted to a “special” talent within the side.
And that was how Bouasse was spotted. He was brought to the Trigoria training ground in July 2015 and began to train with the youth team.
As a player, he possessed a good touch to go along with his superb physique and ability to get forward from midfield.
He signed his first senior contract as soon as he turned 18, and was invited to first-team training on a number of occasions by Luciano Spalletti.
And at one point, he was even being tutored by Roma legend De Rossi himself.
Having had to start life in Italy with nothing, his hard work enabled him to live many children’s dream at AS Roma, and he will be greatly missed.
Francesco Totti chips in magical free kick during amateur match
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
