SAINTS’ Mohammed Salisu has revealed that he has a younger brother of the same mould as him, in the same African Talent Football Academy that birthed his opportunity.
The 22-year-old Ghanian centre-back earned a move to Spanish side Real Valladolid from links within the African academy, and has since gone on to become a Premier League stalwart.
He’s started all but one game in the league for Saints this season, as well as scoring his first goal in English football during an EFL Cup tie with Sheffield United.
Salisu told how he made his way from sand pitches and having his mum confiscate his football boots for skipping school, to the greatest league in the world.
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And now he’s revealed that his younger brother, who is also a left-footed centre-back, is currently working his way through the same youth set-up.
Speaking to the club website, he said: “I know that I’m going to leave my family but this was my dream.
“My parents were happy, they were very happy you know, at that time my mum was the one who supported me a lot so she was happy that I got the chance travelling to Spain.
“Sometimes when I remember, I just laugh, I sometimes hear from my old friends, they text me, my school friends, they remind me of all of those things.
“It’s been a while that I didn’t see my family, like two years, so I was happy to see them and I’m very happy here. Now she cannot throw my boots (away), she even supports my junior brother to play football.
“Now he is in Ghana, playing in the same academy, he is a left footer, central defender like me. Maybe he will also come to Europe. They are happy, especially my mum, she is very happy.”
Salisu continued: “I remember sometimes she would cry when I didn’t go to school because she always paid the money but I didn’t go, but now she is happy and very proud. She always calls me after the game and asks me about the game, if I’m okay.
“My advice (to those trying) would be, it’s not easy, every player’s dream is coming to play professional football. My advice is keep working no matter what, believe in what you do and everything will be fine at the right time.”
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