Calvin Bassey refused to give up on his dream after Leicester told him he wasn’t good enough to make the grade.
Two years later, the Italy-born, Nigerian international defender who grew up in South London, is starring in the Champions League.
Bassey, 22, joined Ajax in a deal that netted Rangers a club-record £20million in the summer after reviving his career in Glasgow following his exit from the King Power Stadium.
He admits that his humble upbringing in London has made him so hungry for success that when Leicester allowed him to leave without even playing a first-team game, he grasped the opportunity offered to him at Ibrox by Steven Gerrard with both hands.
Bassey said: “In my youth in London, we did have both food and clothes - but we were still poor.
“That’s why my journey from there to the Champions League is so incredible.
“To get the chance to really show myself on this stage - wow!
“I will always be grateful to Rangers for giving me a chance after I didn’t play a senior game at Leicester.
“I was happy that the transfer was good for the club because they gave me the stage to play.”
Bassey came through the ranks at Leicester - and also had to be patient after moving to Rangers.
Gerrard saw him as a full-back and it was only when Dutchman Giovanni van Bronckhorst took over at Ibrox that he was given the chance to impress as a centre-back.
He helped Rangers qualify for the Champions League and reach the Europa League final last season.
And when Ajax lost Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United, the Amsterdam club made their move.
Ajax opened their Champions League campaign by beating Rangers 3-0, but were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool at Anfield in midweek.
Bassey said: “In terms of learning the game and how to build-up from the back, I still have a lot of work to do at Ajax.
“That’s why their interest came as a shock for me because I am a much bigger defender than the type they normally go for - look at Lisandro Martinez, for example.
“English-type players hardly ever go to Ajax or even abroad in general - but it was a no-brainer for me.
“I have promised Giovanni van Bronckhorst a big present because he has been such a big influence on my career.
“Maybe Gio will get a pair of wooden shoes, clogs, or tulips.
“That would be funny, but no, no, no, he deserves a bigger and nicer memento.
“I always felt at home at Rangers because the club felt like my family thanks to Gio.
“The manager believed in me and helped me. In my first season I did not play and then Steven Gerrard left and you ask yourself if the new boss is interested in you.
“Giovanni put me in as a central defender from the start, not my natural position.
“I was left-back, but Van Bronckhorst gave me the belief that I can become one of the best central defenders in Europe.”
