Italia born Ghana international, Emmanuel Gyasi has insisted he feels proud of being a Ghanaian and it’s something he will cherish forever.
Gyasi was born in the Italian city of Palermo in 1994 but was then raised in Ghana by his grandparents until he was 11 when he returned to Italy.
The 27-year-old 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 in an interview with BBC Africa.
"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,” he added.
Gyasi played a key role in Spezia’s qualification to the Serie A last season and has been impressive for the side in the ongoing season.
He has made 36 appearances in all competition scoring five goals in the process.
Gyasi made his debut for Ghana in a 1-1 drawn game against South Africa in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [Afcon] qualifiers at the FNB Stadium on March 25.