Ousman Manneh, a Gambian teenager who survived the perilous ‘back way’ journey to Europe, is now a professional footballer in Germany.

He first arrived in Italy, but because of the reluctance of Italian authorities to welcome refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea, Ousman proceeded to Germany.

The young Gambian ended up in a refugee camp, where he was living with 19 other unaccompanied teenagers from the Middle East and Africa. And it was there that his football talent was noticed.

Now, he is employed and lives in his own apartment. Ousman, who just turned 18, sealed a three year contract with Werder’s U23 football team in Dinklage, a town in the district of Vechta.

His appetite for football has always been insatiable. The ‘back way’ boy told Bremen Radio: “Since I was little, I always wanted to play football. That's the most important thing for me."

Before he joined Werder’s U23, Ousman had a brief but successful stint with the team’s U19, scoring 15 goals in eleven games.

According to his coaches, he needs more time to fully develop and understand German football.

“He has great potential, and he is still young,” said one of them.

Ousman said he wants to play in the German football league, Bondesliga.