Ajax CB Bassey reveals he was rejected by Southampton before ending up at Leicester City

Ajax 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 

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