Romantic Barusso

AHMED Apimah Barusso finally got his heart desire when AS Roma officially confirmed that he will be lining up for them next season. They concluded the deal when they ironed out the final details on a co-ownership agreement with Serie B side Rimini. The Gialorossi had already agreed personal terms with the powerful 22-year-old Ghanaian midfielder last month but negations with Rimini hit some snags which have since been resolved. 'Ciro' arrives at the Olimpico on a five-year deal where he will be earning a reported 1.6m Euro a season. Rimini will cash in just over 3.5 million Euros for Barusso, who had also caught the eye of Milan, Inter, Arsenal and Tottenham.

A rising star midfielder known as “Ciro” to his friends, the 1984-born budding star fractured his tibia and fibula last October, but is now close to a complete recovery and has already started some light training at the AS Roma training camp under the watchful eyes of the team's physiotherapists. Barusso, who caught the eye of Milan, Inter, Arsenal and Tottenham last season, was decisive in helping Manfredonia win triple promotion from the amateur Leagues to Serie C1. Rimini Sporting Director Walter Muratori said of Barusso when they first signed him. "We bought him for about 300,000 euros and we're confident in his abilities. His future is in his own hands. He has great potential, but it will be up to him to realise it,” added the official. Now it seems Muratori's words have come true for the former Nania FC player.

A.C. Milan Vice-president Adriano Galliani made a personal effort to close the signing of Barusso and it was reported that he was on his way to Milan for around £2m. The deal was contingent on the player passing a rigorous medical test at the Millanello before it would have been rubberstamped according to the Gazzetta dello Sport. But on June 12, 2007, the Italian media reported that the player had visited Roma's Medical Clinic Villa Stuart - where one of the medical staff, Professor Mariani (who operated on Francesco Totti after his ankle injury in February 2006) oversaw a medical on behalf of AS Roma in the presence of social doctor Mario Brozzi. On Friday 15th June 2007, the Italian media reported that AS Roma had secured the co-ownership signing of Barusso from Serie B side Rimini.

The midfielder is delighted with the move. "I am thoroughly thrilled to have completed this deal as it is a move forward for me" he told BBC Sport. “Playing in the Champions League is a dream of every player and I am happy with the chance I have to show my talent to the world. But I have to thank God and the people at Roma for having the trust in me as just little was seen of me before I got injured. I have to pay Roma and their fans back with my performance on the field to justify the amount they have spent on me."

Barusso who made his senior international debut against Rwanda on 6 July 2003 in a 2004 African Cup of Nations qualifier away in Kigali is a ball-winning defensive midfielder who comes equipped with a deadly shot from long distance. His powerful, physical and technical style of play has been compared to other Ghana-born players. In particular a more technical Desailly, a physical Muntari and a powerful Michael Essien. He is eyeing a call-up to the Black Stars anytime soon and is ready to fight for his place as soon as he regains his fitness. He has since admitted to La Gazzetta dello Sport he wants to play alongside Michael Essien in Ghana's midfield.