Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has bravely opened up about his childhood spent as a refugee after fleeing war-torn Yugoslavia because of the Bosnian War.
The 27-year-old was just a toddler when his family packed up and left Yugoslavia to move to Munich, and he believes that all refugees deserve a chance in life in light of the recent migrant crisis.
Speaking to "?Joe.co.uk, Lovren explained: "I was quite small. I was just three years old so my memories are mainly playing with other kids. We would be outside picking the carrots out of the ground and things like that, the kind of stuff that was normal for children who grew up in ordinary places all over the world. But my strongest memory was very different.
"I was at home with my mother and we heard the sound of the air raid sirens. It was really scary. She took me in her arms to protect me and we went downstairs to the basement. My mum was crying and all we could do was hide. That is something I will never forget. How could I? After that we went into a small car, a Yugo, and my uncle drove us to Germany. That is how I became a refugee."?
And although he admits he was probably too young to make sense of the tragedy, it is still an extremely emotional subject in his household today.
He added: "Of course I have spoken to my parents about what happened a few times because it is natural that you will want to know more but when I ask my mum she starts to cry. It isn't easy for her,
"It is harder for me to understand because I was only a child but her emotions tell me everything that I need to know about how difficult this time was for her and for us as a family.
Lots of debate about refugees lately. Here, Dejan Lovren explains what it's like to be one and to need a safe haven: https://t.co/wICPLpEtPr
"It was a big decision for my parents to go to Germany. We went with practically nothing apart from the clothes that we were wearing. We had no bags. Nothing. My father stayed behind in Bosnia for a couple of weeks; I'm not sure exactly why but maybe he had some things to take care of before he could join us, like selling the house so at least we would have something."?
Against all the odds, Lovren has cemented himself as one of the most established and assured defenders in Europe, proving to young migrants across Europe and the World that no matter how tough a situation might be, you can get to wherever you want to be with enough hard-work and determination.
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