From Exeter to Rome: Inside Olyroos star’s chaotic campaign with PL outfit

It was only a handful of months ago Cam Peupion checked off the likes of Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium and Exeter City’s St James Park from his career away days list.

Combined, the two grounds have a collective capacity of just over 20,500.

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It’s why Peupion could be forgiven if he smiled like a child while enjoying a police escort through the rowdy streets of Rome en route to the 70,634 capacity Stadio Olimpico.

For a 21-year-old from Sydney’s northern beaches, these are the footballing adventures he could only dream about as a young boy.

But, as a player finding his feet at Brighton, Peupion has quickly learned this is now his new reality.

So too are those tricky loan spells in the unforgiving lower tiers of English football, an experience that is part-and-parcel for talented youngsters at Premier League clubs.

Rarely do European nights against the likes of Roma mesh with a difficult five months at League One strugglers Cheltenham Town, but that has been the story of Peupion’s season.

Crucially, he’s earned the respect of seasoned Premier League veterans at both stops and has had a Champions League winner take him under his wing.

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As deadline day in the summer window neared, Peupion knew he needed game time at a