Justin Kumi

Justin Kumi
Personal information
Date of birth (2004-07-16) 16 July 2004 (age 20)
Place of birth Castelfranco Veneto, Italy[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Sassuolo
Number 55
Youth career
–2018 Giorgione
2018–2024 Sassuolo
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022– Sassuolo 1 (0)
International career‡
2021–2022 Italy U18 11 (0)
2022–2023 Italy U19 8 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 May 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 March 2023

Justin Kumi (born 16 July 2004) is an Italian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie B club Sassuolo.

Life and career

Kumi was born on 16 July 2004 in Castelfranco Veneto, Italy. He is of Ghanaian descent.[2] As a youth player, he joined the youth academy of his hometown side in Italy. After that, he joined the youth academy of Italian side Giorgione at the age of fifteen.[3] After that, he joined the youth academy of Italian Serie A side Sassuolo. In 2023, he received interest from Spanish La Liga side Barcelona and Dutch side PSV.[4] He was regarded as one of the under-19 team's most important players as they won the league during the 2023/24 season.[2] Kumi started his senior career with Italian Serie A side Sassuolo. On 28 February 2024, he debuted for the club during a 1–6 loss to Napoli.[5]

Kumi is an Italy youth international. He played for the Italy national under-18 football team at the 2022 Mediterranean Games. He has also played for the Italy national under-19 football team. He is eligible to represent Ghana internationally through his parents.[2]

Style of play

Kumi mainly operates as a midfielder. He has been described as a "box-to-box midfielder". He has received comparisons to France international Adrien Rabiot. He is known for his versatility. He is also known for his strength.[6]

References

  1. ^ Justin Kumi at TuttoCalciatori.net (in Italian)
  2. ^ a b c "Justin Kumi set for first team promotion at Sassuolo after stellar U19 Season". ghanasoccernet.com.
  3. ^ "Kumi, esordio in Serie A: il legame con Sassuolo e la sua storia". mondoprimavera.com.
  4. ^ "Barcelona and PSV lining up for Sassuolo youngster Kumi". football-italia.net.
  5. ^ Justin Kumi at Soccerway
  6. ^ "Justin Kumi Sassuolo, chi è il trattore box-to-box che può diventare grande".