West Brom striker 'feared for his life'

SAIDO Berahino is dreaming of a career in the Premier League – but admits he was lucky to escape with his life after fleeing war-torn Burundi as a kid.

The West Brom whiz bagged a brace on his home debut in Brentford's 4-0 demolition of Carlisle in front of the Sky TV cameras on Monday night.

But the youngster knows he's fortunate not to be dead after escaping the civil war in the African country as an 11-year-old.

Heartbroken Berahino was forced to leave his family and flee for nearby Tanzania before he was granted political asylum and moved to England to be reunited with his mother and sister.

He was spotted by West Brom playing for a Sunday league side and went on to sign professional terms with the Baggies after coming through their youth system.

But the England U20 international admits his prospects were bleak back in Africa.

He said: “There was a civil war going on so I needed to escape Burundi. There was horrible stuff going on and it wasn't a nice place to be. I saw people get shot and feared for my life.

“I fled to Tanzania with one of my mum's friends – it was difficult being apart from my family.

“My mum tried to bring me here and I moved to England to meet her and my sisters when I was 11.

“It was a very frightening time, and if someone had told me then I would be playing football professionally I would've never believed them.

“It's a period in my life I want to forget because it was a bad experience.”

Berahino bagged six goals in 12 starts on loan for Northampton Town and was rewarded with a long-term deal at the Hawthorns.

Baggies boss Roy Hodgson wanted the frontman to test himself at a higher level, and he hopes his spell with the Bees can catapult him into the West Brom first-team squad.

“It was a dream [home] debut. I never thought that would happen when I came on,” he added.

“I hope I can kick on and make a name for myself. I recently signed a new contract at West Brom and doing well there is my long-term aim.

“But at the moment I'm concentrating on Brentford and hopefully the rest will take care of itself.”