Wanderer Youssouf Hersi finally finds home with Western Sydney

HIS parents fled war-torn Ethiopia, he grew up in Holland, has played for numerous Dutch teams as well as stints in Greece and Cyprus, but it is in Australia that Youssouf Hersi feels “born again”.

The Western Sydney forward is a poster boy for nomadic journeymen, having played for 10 clubs in the past 12 years – and spent 18 months sidelined with injury before linking with the Wanderers.

But even before the advent of his professional career, Hersi learned all about the necessities of travel, with his parents fleeing the nation of his birth in 1986 amid civil war and crippling famine.

“I never look back in life, everything is positive, I must look forward,” Hersi said.

“I know where I come from.

“But I have no connection to Ethiopia, I have never been back there.”

Even with the Ethiopian national team attempting to recruit Hersi for their international fixtures, the 30-year-old said he must first regain full fitness before contemplating the next step up. Read more