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Justin Kluivert Pays Tribute To Abdelhak Nouri With His Roma Shirt Number

Justin Kluivert Pays Tribute To Abdelhak Nouri With His Roma Shirt Number

A wonderful gesture...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Justin Kluivert has paid tribute to his former Ajax teammate and friend Abdelhak Nouri by choosing his shirt number after signing for AS Roma.

The 19-year old starlet, son of former Netherlands star Patrick, has signed a five-year contract in a deal that will cost the Giallorossi an initial €17.25 million fee, with bonuses and add-ons also to come into play.

It's an important step for Kluivert's development but he hasn't forgotten about Nouri, who he came up with in the famed Amsterdam youth academy.

The pair worked their way into the Ajax first-team set-up at a similar time but while Kluivert experienced great success, tragedy struck for Nouri.

Image: PA
Image: PA

The youngster collapsed in a pre-season friendly with Werder Bremen in July 2017 and was immediately treated by paramedics before being airlifted to hospital.

It was then revealed that 'Appie' had serious and permanent brain damage - his career over before it had really even began.

But in choosing the No.34 number, worn by Nouri for Ajax, as he begins a new chapter, Kluivert has paid a poignant tribute to his 'brother' in a heartwarming Instagram post.

"Why 34? Appie's number," Kluivert's caption reads on Instagram. "My prayers and shirt number for you, my friend-brother who taught me so much."

After scoring 10 goals in 30 Eredivisie games last season, Kluivert is hoping to continue to grow as a player and believes the Italian capital is the perfect place for him to do so.

"I'm at an unbelievable club and I can't wait to start," he told the official Roma website.

"I think Roma is a great club for me - I think they can build me into a bigger, stronger player and I can do some nice things here."

Featured Image Credit: Justin Kluivert

Topics: Football News, Appie Nouri, Football, AS Roma, Ajax