David Aziaya: Hopefully it's the start of something great

The goalkeeper, 17, joins from the Kinetic Foundation in south London, a programme dedicated to developing young players and getting them into professional academies across the country.

Speaking to canaries.co.uk on his football journey so far, Aziaya said: “I started taking football seriously around under-15s, then I joined Kinetic, who bring boys in and help them get into the professional system.

“We played up here a couple months back, I played well, impressed the scouts and they brought me in, now we’re here!

“The club has been great, everyone’s been great with me, the players are easy to get on with and the coaches have taught me a lot in the short time I’ve been here, hopefully that’ll continue!”

Settling in well to life at the Lotus Training Centre, Aziaya has high praise for the teammates, coaches and facilities around him as he starts his development.

“The facilities are top. I don’t think you’ll go to another club and find any facilities like you’ve got here. The coaching that goes with it is great, Tom Weal is my goalkeeping coach and has taught me a lot in the short space of time I’ve been here, and I can’t wait for more of that in the future.

“The ‘keepers have been very welcoming, sometimes at other clubs you don’t get that, they can give you the cold shoulder. The first-year and second-year ‘keepers have really helped me settle in. Some of the players are from London too, so we can relate to each other. Tom has been great to me; he’s given me tips here and there. He’s really trying to help me become a better ‘keeper.”

Finally, rounding off what to expect from the shot-stopper, Aziaya is determined to prove his worth between the sticks, starting with adjusting to the Under-23s training sessions.

“I can bring a bit of everything, I’m technically good at saving shots, dealing with balls into the box and I’m good at playing out from the back.

“I’m trying to work on moving the ball with intensity. The training session I had with the 23s the other day was tough, but I think I did well and didn’t look out of place, so hopefully it’s the start of something really great.

“I’m not going to say the 23s sessions are easy! I’d like to say I adjusted well quickly, the level is high because its Premier League, but that’s what everyone dreams of.”