Italy forms political refugee soccer team

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A group of immigrants who fled persecution and conflict to live in Italy are forming the country's first professional soccer team made entirely of refugees.

The team, known as the Liberi Nantes, includes players from the some of the most war-affected nations on the planet, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Sudan, Guinea, Nigeria, Togo, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

All of them are political refugees - looking for a new start and fresh hope.

Some of the players have made incredible journeys just to get to Italy. Their identities are also being kept secret as some of the governments from the players' home countries believe they are dead. If they found out they had moved to Italy their safety could be at risk.

This team is not a firm guarantee of their future in Italy for many of the squad members.

Because their asylum claims are still in doubt, they cannot be registered and get a contract to play in a professional or semi-professional team.

Click here to watch the full story from CNN's Alessio Vinci. »

Many of the team has only recently arrived in Italy and they are still living in "welcome centers" which accommodate new refugees.

The 25-strong squad is set to contest Italy's third division league championship.