MILAN (AP) - American teenager Joshua Perez has made a strong impression after making his Italian league debut with Fiorentina.
The 18-year-old forward from California came on in the second half of Fiorentina’s 4-2 loss to Inter Milan at the San Siro on Monday.
Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa says “with his characteristics he can be a useful player. He can dribble past defenders and he’s pretty strong physically.”
The Gazzetta dello Sport gave Perez a respectable 6 out of 10 in its match grades.
Perez, who was on the United States’ under-17 World Cup squad, is the nephew of former United States midfielder Hugo Perez.
Perez became the second American-born player to appear for Fiorentina in modern times after Italy international Giuseppe Rossi, who is on loan with Spanish side Celta de Vigo.
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