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American teenager Perez makes Italian league debut

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.

Fiorentina's Joshua Giovanni Perez walks the pitch during the Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Fiorentina at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, Nov. 28, 2016. American teenager Joshua Perez has made a strong impression after making his Italian league debut with Fiorentina. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) The Associated Press
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