'I stayed there for 12 years' - Nottingham Forest star Ola Aina opens up on why he left Chelsea

Nottingham Forest fullback Ola Aina has suggested that his departure from Chelsea was driven by a desire to elevate his career.

The Nigeria international was on the books of Chelsea for twelve years, rising through the youth ranks to make his professional debut in a Carabao Cup clash against Bristol Rovers in August 2016, under Italian tactician Antonio Conte. 

Aina was an influential member of the Chelsea youth team that won two UEFA Youth League titles in 2015 and 2016 and appeared in back-to-back FA Youth Cup finals against Fulham and Manchester City.

Overall, the Cobham product appeared in six first team games for the Blues before sealing a permanent transfer to Italian Serie A club Torino in the summer of 2019.

Aina stressed that he was never subjected to racial abuse during his four-year stint at Torino, but admitted to missing his family because he was granted just a single day off.

Speaking to Layo's Choice, Aina said: "When that opportunity came around I was a bit hesitant to go but I always wanted to play in Italy. It's just one of those countries that I just wanted to play there so it sort of made sense.

"The first year, I remember we were getting one day off, I was flying direct back to London for one day. I was doing that for the whole season just because obviously I'm so close to my family. It was an experience I don't think I would ever regret.

"I was there four years, I didn't get one racist comment. I didn't receive any hate, people around me were getting hate from other teams, but by God's grace I didn't receive anything."

Over the span of nine years, Aina has played for five different clubs including Chelsea, Hull City, Torino, Fulham and Nottingham Forest.

"It's the life of a footballer. I was at Chelsea from the age of 10 or 11, stayed there for like 12 years. 

"It gets to a point in your career where you want to push a little bit so that's why I made the move to Italy, to better my skills. It was a good experience.

"I prefer back home than overseas because closer to my family and friends, easier to see people."

Aina is enjoying arguably the best form of his career this season, with two goals in 17 Premier League games.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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