Nigerian winger Nathan Tella delves into his departure from Arsenal, reflecting on a decade-long journey with the North London club that ended in disappointment, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
Despite ten years of dedication, Tella faced rejection in 2017, prompting a period of uncertainty as he sought to carve a new path in professional football.
Snubbed by Reading and Norwich City, Tella eventually found solace at Southampton, where he embarked on a promising trajectory.
Following a loan spell at Burnley, Tella's career took a significant turn as he secured a move to Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen, contributing to their recent triumph in Germany's top flight.
While not yet a stalwart at the BayArena, Tella's resilience and adaptability have been integral to Leverkusen's success, with the club poised for further glory in the DFB Pokal final and the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.
Recounting his departure from Arsenal, Tella reveals the emotional turmoil of leaving the club he had known since childhood, grappling with uncertainty while seeking counsel from family and agents to navigate the challenging transition.
“I couldn’t believe it, Arsenal was all I knew from the age of six when I got scouted,” he told VAVEL.
“It was tough because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. Maybe stay at Arsenal, try force their hand and make another decision, or if I was to go out on trials.
“I spoke to my family, I spoke to my agent and they said it’s best to go on trials to see what I can do and get out of my comfort zone.”
By Olujimi Dare Ogun