Calvin Bassey recounts his troubling route to first profession contract with Leicester City

Calvin Bassey has reflected on his early days dealing with elections and how football discipline helped shape his life.

The Nigerian international had almost quit football at 15 when things are not working out as planned and the Super Eagles star recalled the unforgettable feeling after he signed his first professional contract with Leicester City.

“I had been turned down by Crystal Palace, West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leyton Orient, Charlton Athletic (twice) and Barnet,” Bassey speaking to The Athletic.

“I gave myself one final summer. I said to myself, ‘I’m going all out, and if I don’t get a club I am quitting,’ I meant it.

“Leicester had 12 or 13 left-backs trial before me, who all got rejected.

“I didn’t think I had a chance but that was the best thing that happened. I played freely.

“I couldn’t believe it when I got signed. I was late for school but I couldn’t give a toss.

“The teachers were like, ‘Where have you been?’, and I said, ‘Sir, I was a bit busy signing with Leicester’. They thought I was lying until I showed them the picture.

“There have been situations where if I made the wrong decision I could have been in big trouble with the police but the discipline of football helped, knowing I had to be home early to recover and sleep, before games. (Signing for) Leicester was perfect timing.

“You think, ‘Ah s**t, people know who I am’ (with his status), but I’m not as accessible as I was.”