Watford and Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong has spoken about his time at his former club Tottenham Hotspur years after he was dumped by the club and had to relaunch his career at another club.
After leaving Fulham in 2010, he joined Tottenham but failed to make the first team. He then joined Dutch side FC Groningen in search of first-team action.
“One of my last moments at Tottenham, before I left Spurs, was when I had a meeting with one of my coaches, he told me and my mum that I wasn’t good enough to play, that he didn’t think I could make it as a football player,” Troost-Ekong previously told Udinese website.
“This kind of upset me so much at the time but later became a big point for me to prove, first to them, then to myself and finally to the world that I am good enough to make it to the top.”
He had spells at Gent, Bursaspor and Udinese, before completing a permanent switch to Watford in 2020– penning a five-year deal for an undisclosed amount.
Now aged 28-year-old and back playing in the premier league with Watford, Ekong says he has no regrets and is delighted he didn’t give up on his dream.
“Eight years, six countries, seven clubs, 227 club and 50 international appearances after being told I wasn’t good enough for the Premier League. I made my dream come true. What’s next?! Believe in yourself!!! 14/08/21,” Troost-Ekong wrote on Instagram.
In a previous interview with BBC Sport Africa, Ekong said;
“I believe in the project for Watford to get back into the Premier League,”
“It’s always been my dream to play in the Premier League and Watford has given me the platform now to get there. Looking at the squad, I believe we have the quality to do it.
“I’ve always made tactical decisions for my career and this felt like the right step now for me and my family.
“As for my international future, I have shown what I can add to the Super Eagles. I have consistently contributed to the team’s success in the last five years and have had the pleasure of captaining the team.”
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