Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has opened up about being released from Arsenal's academy as a teenager.
Eze joined the Eagles back in August 2020 after establishing himself as one of the Championship's most exciting players during his fruitful spell with Queens Park Rangers.
The talented attacking midfielder enjoyed a solid debut campaign for Palace last term, netting four goals and providing a further six assists in just 29 Premier League starts - impressive numbers for a now 23-year-old.
However, it wasn't always smooth sailing for the London-born starlet, who has admitted it was extremely tough being released by the Gunners after five years with the club.
"I started off at Arsenal, think I was eight, got released from there at 13, went to Fulham got released from there, went to Reading got released from there," Eze told the Rising Ballers YouTube channel
"There's bare rejections, a lot of rejections during that period. Then went to Millwall having to try to prove yourself again which as a young kid is difficult, again that didn't work out, got released from there."
Still, Eze went on to discuss that leaving the north Londoners helped build his character and become the man he is today.
"Arsenal was probably the hardest", he added. "My dream was to play for them so hearing them say no at 13 that was tough and I remember like training after I got released and I couldn't focus.
"I was crying but I think that helped me so much in the other rejections because if I can get through Arsenal releasing me I can get through any other club releasing me.
"My mindset was if it was not going to be Arsenal I have to find somewhere else".
