Eberechi Eze, the Crystal Palace winger, has talked about how being rejected by Arsenal and multiple clubs helped shape his career.
Eze was released by Arsenal as a youngster.
The Nigerian-born player also suffered similar fate at Fulham, Reading and Millwall.
Sunderland and Bristol City rejected the chance to sign him.
Eze however thrived at Queens Park Rangers and has become a key player since arriving Crystal Palace.
“At a young age, it was hard, especially being released,” he told Premier League Production.
“Me and my mum cried, everyone was so upset – that’s all you know at that age.
“But looking back at it now, that’s the start of my journey and I’m grateful to God that’s how it went. If it wasn’t for that, I may not have got the resilience, bravery, to go and be who I want to be elsewhere. It’s shaped me to be who I am today.”
Eze scored the winning goal for Crystal Palace in the 1-0 win over Liverpool last weekend.