Italian football is in shock after a former footballing prodigy admitted to the murder of his mother and 11-year-old sister.
Former Parma midfielder Solomon Nyantakyi confessed to the double murder after he was arrested in Milan’s central station.
Police had been alerted to the deaths of Patience Nfum, 43, and Magdalene Nfum by Nyantakyi’s brother Raymond.
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Both their bodies were found bloodied in an apartment on the outskirts of Parma, where Nyantakyi rose to prominence.
Nyantakyi was born in Accra, Ghana, but moved to Italy and started playing for Parma’s youth sides.
He impressed with their Under-19s and was called up to the first-team squad by coach Roberto Donadoni, who now manages Bologna.
However when Parma went bust Nyantakyi was forced to move on, playing for Tuttocuoio and Imolese.
Donadoni spoke to Football Italia, saying: “I remember Solomon, he trained with us at Parma and I had him on the bench more than once during Serie A games.
“I remember he was very calm, even taciturn. If it really was him who did this, I can’t think what went through his mind.”
Alessandro Lucarelli, who’s still the captain of Parma, also remembers the midfielder, saying: “I had heard talk of his depression.
“He was very quiet, rather closed off, didn’t bond with anyone. It’s unusual, as African lads of his age tend to be quite extroverted.”
A terrible situation for all involved.