England and Tottenham defensive midfielder Eric Dier has praised Sporting Lisbon's youth system for being instrumental in his development as a footballer.
Dier, 22, spent much of his childhood in Portugal, joining up with the Sporting youth team aged nine before going on to play 43 times for the club over 11 seasons.
Former Sporting manager Jesualdo Ferreira coached Dier during his emergence into the first-team in 2012, and Dier believes Ferreira was key figure in his footballing education.
As quoted in the "?Mirror, Dier said:
"?"He was the first manager to play me there in senior football and had great faith in me,
"It was a defining moment for me when I played in that position against Porto."
Dier initially played as a central defender but due to his composure and ability on the ball, he was soon moved to a defensive midfield role.
The 22-year-old, who scored a sublime free kick against Russia on Saturday, moved out to Portugal as a child after his mother secured a job in Lisbon, and although his family moved back to England a few years later, Dier stayed put, vowing to establish himself in the Sporting academy.
Man of the moment Eric Dier the cover boy for official #ENG fanzine handed out outside Lens station #ENGWAL @mmkalla pic.twitter.com/XgLco7bZVY
An experience that Dier reflects on with the utmost gratitude.
"It was fantastic to grow up in the Sporting academy as they give you all the conditions you need to learn to play football,"? he added. "I was completely embedded in it and I learnt a lot and I would not be here if it was not for them.
"You play 7-a-side with a 2-3-1, just two defenders who move around. It was a quick learning curve.
"For me, Portugal was home. My friends are Portuguese and my girlfriend is Portuguese, but obviously I am English."?
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