Nigeria’s Super Eagles defender, William Troost-Ekong can’t wait to make his long-awaited debut in the Premier League- his club, Watford, will go up against Aston Villa in their first game of the new season on Saturday.
Troost-Ekong played a crucial role in Watford’s promotion last season after arriving from Serie A club Udinese.
The Nigeria international started his youth career with Fulham and later Tottenham Hotspur but failed to made the rise to the first team at both clubs.
The centre-back later moved to Holland where he played for FC Groningen and FC Dordrecht.
The 27-year-old also played for clubs in Belgium, Norway and Turkey before returning to England with Watford.
“It took me all these years just to get to where I wanted to be,” Troost-Ekong told ESPN.
“Now the biggest challenges ahead of me is actually playing in the Premier League and hopefully enjoying myself here. Because that’s something that I have wanted to do all my life.
“It has taken having a lot of perseverance to get here. And now, I feel like I’m just getting started.”
It is one thing, of course, to get in the Premier League. Staying there is a completely different kettle of fish.
Last time the Hornets were in the top flight they lasted five seasons, from 2015 to 202, their longest stint in the Premier League era. Their best stint in the top division was when they spent six seasons in the old First Division between 1982 and 1988.
Despite the increasing gap between rich and not-so-rich clubs, the ambition this time is much the same, according to the Nigerian.
He said: “Being in the Premier League, we want to stay in the Premier League. That should be everyone’s main aiming point, everyone’s main target.
“After that, we’ll see what happens. And staying in the Premier League is my personal goal with Watford. Of course, the better we can do, the better.”
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
