Former Ghana youth international Moses Odjer (R) has become a citizen of Italy
Former Ghana youth international Moses Odjer has finally become a citizen of Italy after over a decade of plying his trade in the European nation.
The 28-year-old received his citizenship during a brief ceremony in Italy and now holds the country’s passport.
Odjer, fondly remembered for his role at the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2013 as Ghana finished in third position, arrived in Italy in 2014. He started his career with Catania, and after 11 years, he now plays for US Pianese.
The former Black Satellites player is married to an Italian and has a son with his partner.
“If they had told me when I was a kid that I would have reached this goal, I would have never believed it. And today I find myself here with the Italian citizen in my hands,” wrote an excited Odjer on Instagram.
“A big thank you to those who supported me, my family, my wife, my friends, my teammates I had and I have now. I dedicate a thank you to myself to the memory I have of that 16-year-old boy who came to Italy without a phone so he could call his family, with little change in his pocket and without knowing a word of Italian.
“Thanks to me because I never gave up on the injustices I have suffered, thanks to me because I often had to work harder than others to be able to afford everything I have. Thanks to me, because all these years, my humility has remained the same. Finally ITALIAN.”
Odjer has represented several clubs in Italy including Salernitana and Palermo.
This season, the US Pianese midfielder has made 20 appearances, scored two goals and delivered an assist in Serie C- Group B.