Moroccan defender Mohamed Zeitouni has reached the Spanish enclave of Ceuta after crossing the sea swimming, according to local reports.
The 19-year-old, who had been playing for Moghreb Tetouan, swam for nearly half an hour in rough conditions before making it to the coast, the newspaper El Faro de Ceuta said. He had first walked several kilometres along the Moroccan shoreline to avoid detection.
Zeitouni is now staying at the Temporary Stay Centre for Immigrants (CETI) in Ceuta, where he has been living for about a week. The same source reported that the player had not been paid by his club, prompting him to follow the same route taken by some of his friends.
The defender has remained in regular contact with his family since arriving in Ceuta and is said to be hoping for a chance to continue his football career.
