Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo has shared his inspiring journey to the Premier League, revealing the numerous rejections he faced from top clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal during his early years.
Despite being turned down by several teams, including Millwall, Tottenham, and Palace, Semenyo persevered, and his determination finally paid off when Bournemouth signed him for £10 million in January 2023.
Semenyo opened up about the emotional toll of those rejections, saying, “Being so young I couldn’t cope with the emotions of rejection… I felt like I need to take a break, go back to friends, go back to school just focus and recuperate, give myself a year to calm myself down cause I felt like the rejection was so much.”
However, he credits those setbacks with building his resilience and mental toughness, saying, “That was obviously a tough part of my life but yeah I felt like it built character and the mentality I have now, so I’m grateful.”
Now, the 24-year-old is thriving in the Premier League, with eight goals and two assists in 31 appearances this season.
His impressive performances have earned him a nomination for Bournemouth’s Player of the Season award, solidifying his status as a rising star in English football.