Spezia Calcio forward Emmanuel Gyasi has opened up on growing up in Ghana and his admiration for the West African country.
The 27-year-old was born in the Italian city of Palermo Italy but was raised in Ghana by his grandparents until he was 11, when he returned to Italy.
The attacker has opened up on his experience of living in Ghana and before moving to Europe.
He is grateful for a life split between Africa and Europe.
"I went to Ghana as I was a small child and I lived there with my grandparents and my uncle," he explained.
"It was a great experience for me, it allowed me to know my origins and the culture of my country. When I then moved back to Italy, I kept feeling Ghana was very close to me.
"Although I was born in Italy and I feel very comfortable here, my land of origin is Ghana. My bond to Ghana has never vanished or diminished throughout the years.
"Those are my origins. That is my motherland. It's something indelible in my heart."
The 27-year-old, who plays for Italian Serie A side Spezia Calcio, made his international debut on 25 March as the Blacks Stars drew 1-1 with South Africa in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
He now has his sights firmly set on being part of the squad at the Nations Cup finals in Cameroon next year and helping his country end a 30-years wait for success.