Ebrima Darboe’s story is a football fairytale

Ebrima Darboe arrived in Italy from the Gambia as a young migrant without his parents. On Sunday night, the 18-year-old is in the AS Roma squad to face AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico.

Born in the Gambia in 2001, Ebrima was registered with the SPRAR project (Protection System for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) after arriving in Italy and was immediately assigned a social worker by the courts.

After beginning to play for the amateur team Young Rieti, the teenager continued his Italian education before eventually having a trial at Roma. After joining the Giallorossi, Ebrima made his Primavera debut earlier this year.

The young midfielder signed a professional contract with Roma in July, a moment he described as “fulfilling a dream”.

Tonight, he’s in Paulo Fonseca’s matchday squad for the first time.