Imminent Rangers arrival Mateusz Zukowski has shared how he strived tirelessly to win his big move to Ibrox despite growing up in an abusive home.
The 20-year-old can play as a right back or in midfield and is set to complete a £500,000 move from Lechia Gdansk to Glasgow as he nears Gio van Bronckhorst's squad.
But his path to the Premiership with Rangers has been far from straightforward and, in an interview last month with Radio Gdansk, he bravely agreed to open up on the heartache of growing up in a broken household.
He said: "I don't talk to my father anymore. My father used to hit my mother and she's had to have four operations because of him.
"I spent my childhood trying to persuade her to leave. I also have two brothers who, because of my father, have gone astray.
"With the money I earn, I try to help my mother and sister out. I owe my mother a large debt and I always told her if I made it as a professional footballer, I would help her as she helped me.
"She always did everything to make sure I could play football.
"Over the past five years, going to a psychologist, talking to my fiancee, mother, managers, or one of my coaches, Andrzej Małecki, have all helped me a lot.
"I won't speak to my father now. He's had more than enough chances from me. Honestly, it's hard to call him my father.
"I have a tattoo of my mother's date of birth. She's my inspiration. I don't see why I should hide what happened when i was growing up. It wasn't my fault.
"I am glad that dreams are slowly coming true. I have always wanted to go abroad and play in European competitions. You have to keep your dreams and goals as high as possible."
