Ajax CB Bassey reveals he was rejected by Southampton before ending up at Leicester City
Published: February 12, 2023Ajax Amsterdam central defender Calvin Bassey has admitted that he was rejected by several English clubs before ending up at Leicester City on September 2, 2015 following a successful trial.
Apart from failed trials at London clubs Crystal Palace, Leyton Orient and Charlton Athletic, Bassey said in a documentary aired on ESPN Nederland on Saturday that he was also at Southampton.
Bassey spent five years at Leicester City before sealing a celebrated move to Rangers, with whom he won the Scottish Premiership in his maiden season with the club and reached the Europa League final in 2022.
The versatile defender's impressive performances in his final season at Rangers, especially in the Europa League, earned him a move one to of the traditional clubs in Europe, Ajax Amsterdam.
Bassey was drawing interest from Southampton and other mid-table Premier League clubs before Ajax won the race for his services last July.
The 23-year-old admitted that his family played an important role, motivating him to realize his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
"I remember when I was on my way to Southampton. I went wherever I could smell professional football. I've been rejected by a lot of professional clubs," Bassey was quoted as saying by Ajax Showtime.
"I hate to say it, but sometimes I feel like I wanted to play football because I knew it would give my family a better life and they would experience more happiness than a life without football".
Bassey concluded by saying that his goal is to better understand Ajax's style of play and adapt himself to it.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
- Southampton-owned striker Paul Onuachu makes decision about his future with Trabzonspor
- 2023 Flying Eagles invitee announces he is leaving Arsenal for good after thirteen years
- Dessers in danger of being offloaded as Rangers set their sights on landing Hearts striker
- Confirmed: Son of former Super Eagles striker offered new deal by Sheffield Wednesday
- Huddersfield release five players of Nigerian descent including forward named in 2023 AFCON squad
- Ajax insider rules out Premier League-linked striker Akpom staying at Dutch giants
- Euro 2024: Switzerland could cap-tie Salzburg's quad-national CB; two other 'Nigerians' in provisional squad
- 'A move could happen' - Transfer expert David Ornstein provides update on Man Utd's pursuit of Olise
- Les jeux de hasard dans la littérature : thèmes, motifs et symbolisme 1win
- La dépendance au jeu chez les adolescents 1Win : stratégies d'intervention précoce
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football