Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze has admitted he was in floods of tears after learning that Arsenalwere releasing him as a youngster.
The 22 year-old has impressed since making a £17million move to Palace from QPR on a five-year deal in August
However success has not always come easy to the Londoner, who thought he would make it big with the Gunners when he signed for them before his 16th birthday.
'I got scouted by a few clubs and that’s when I first went to Arsenal, he told Premier .
'At a young age, it was hard, especially being released. 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 was picked up by Fulham and Reading before spending time with Millwall after being released by Arsenal.
He eventually made a move to QPR where he made his name and secured his big-money move to the Premier League.
Source: daily mail