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Ghana midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has secured the work permit to enable him play in the Italian top-flight. The 19-year-old arrived in Italy on Wednesday morning to begin his career with Udinese following an excellent showing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola last month. The youngster will join the club's training for the first time on Thursday after being given time to rest from the long journey from Accra on Wednesday night. �This is a big challenge for me and I am ready to face it head-on,� Badu told Ghanasoccernet.com. �I am aware that I have not played at the top level in Europe before but my experiences at the U20 World Cup and crucially at the Africa Cup of Nations will help me immensely. �I am not overawed by going straight to train with the first team. It has even given me the motivation to work harder.� Udinese are keen to rush Badu into their first team after refusing a lucrative loan offer for the enforcer.Even though the Serie A side has already exhausted their own quota of foreign players in their team, he will join the first team in his first day at the club. His agent Goran �Super Agent� Milovanovic secured the lucrative deal with Udinese after the youngster helped Ghana win the U20 World Cup in Egypt late last year. With Udinese exhausting their quota clubs across Europe including Paris St Germain and German side Hanover contacted the Serie A side for a loan deal for Badu. His performance at the Africa Cup of Nations further attracted interest which prompted the loan offer from the two clubs to boost their squad before the winter transfer window shuts. But Udinese, who are struggling this season, say they want to keep Badu to boost their chances in league - affirming the 19-year-old as one of the best young midfielders in the world.