'Like winning the lottery' - Troost-Ekong reveals how Tottenham Hotspur scholarship changed his life

Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has reflected on his journey from schoolboy football to becoming a professional player, describing his first scholarship contract as a life-defining breakthrough.

Speaking about his upbringing and early discipline, he recalled the strict guidance he received at home.

“When I was 12, I think I had a lot more discipline. My Nigerian dad’s hand was definitely on that, making sure that I was going to be on the right path, and everything was just focused on school really,” he said during his appearance on Bassey Talks podcast.

He went on to explain how difficult it was to balance education with his growing football ambitions as opportunities began to emerge in England’s academy system.

“So it was a difficult conversation when I said, ‘Oh no, I want to play professionally.’ I also came into academy football quite late, so the first time I got scouted by Fulham was when I was 15, and then I ended up signing my scholarship at Tottenham Hotspur at 16. So then the conversation was difficult because I had to tell my dad that, ‘Okay, I’m not going to sixth form.’ I was doing well in school.”

Ekong said his mindset quickly became fixed on football, with little room for alternative ambitions once he committed to the sport.

“So it was really different, but I always felt like I wanted to be a football player. I never thought about wanting to do anything else. And I feel like, if I listen to the guys now, you kind of have to have that single-mindedness to be like, ‘This is all I want to do,’ because I think if you don’t put yourself into that with 100%, it’s so difficult to try and achieve it.”

He described the moment he signed his scholarship as an emotional milestone that confirmed his belief in his own journey.

“And I think not until you’re a bit older do you start thinking about other aspects of life. But for me, the only thing that counted was playing football and trying to become a pro. So signing my first scholarship contract, for me, was like, you know, winning the lottery.”

Looking back, Ekong said football has shaped his identity and provided him with purpose beyond the pitch.

“So much. I think the biggest part is probably your identity, you know. I think you want to become a football player, and then when you achieve that, you know you are who you say you are or who you think you are. And then the next part probably has been having a chance to actually make sure life is going to be a good opportunity to provide for my family. I’ve got three kids now, so I think my whole dynamic and perspective changed because I was quite young. I was 24 when my first son was born.”

He also reflected on how responsibility shifted his priorities and how important support systems were in his rise.

“So, you start living life a little bit differently because, all of a sudden, my only selfish goal of playing football wasn’t the only thing that I could think about and probably had to go to number two. And I think also, along the way, I had so many different people who also gave me a helping hand.”