Albeit at the youth level, American striker Joshua Perez is impressing with Fiorentina.
The 18-year-old forward started and scored a goal in Fiorentina’s 3-2 win against Sampdoria in the Campionato Primavera Tim, Italy’s top youth level, on Saturday.
After making a surging run into the penalty box in the 22nd minute, Perez beautifully chipped 19-year-old Sampdoria goalkeeper Samuele Massolo to score the game’s first goal (watch his goal here).
Perez signed a deal with the Italian club on Feb. 4, and then started his first game for the Viola in the Primavera two days later. He scored the opener in that match and assisted two others to help Fiorentina defeat Trapani, 5-1 (watch his goal and assists here).
The Primavera Tim features youth teams from Serie A and Serie B, and mostly features youth players aged 15-19.
At the international level, Perez most recently played in all three group games for the U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team during 2015’s World Cup in Chile.
What do you think of Perez’s play so far with Fiorentina? What do you expect from him in 2016 and beyond?
Share your thoughts below.
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Perez looked nearly as good as Pulisic in the last age-group. Hope he continues to make progress.
With Perez at Florentina, Wright at Schalka, Pulisic at BVB, and Scott at Chelsea the future attacking options look very promising. Here’s to hoping that all these young players reach their full potential.
It’s nice these guys are at these clubs but, out of those four, only Pulisic has ever played a minute for the first team and many (maybe most) prospects don’t pan out. Hopefully some of those guys do make it at the top level.
Agree that many (most) prospects don’t pan out….hence my statement “Here’s to hoping that these young players reach their full potential.” That said I cannot recall a previous time where 4 attacking players from the same age group were at such respected clubs. Regardless we should know in the next couple to 3 yrs if these players are going to be serious contributors or not.
Perez tended to fly under the radar with the U-17’s due to Pulisic and Wright putting up such gaudy numbers, and drawing loads of praise in the process. Perez is going to be a very solid contributor; good speed and touch and an excellent left foot. Fiorentina is a very good club, but they don’t tend to have tons of attacking depth. Maybe Perez can snag some first team minutes next year if he continues with the youth production.