18/04/2022
Kevin Wright: Sierra Leone defender on leaving Chelsea and life in Sweden
After spending 11 years in the club's youth academy, the defender had failed to make a senior appearance for the Premier League side when he left Stamford Bridge in 2016.
However, having become a Sierra Leone international and now playing in Sweden after dropping down to the fourth tier in England, Wright is grateful for his formative years spent with the Blues.
"Even though it was disappointing to leave Chelsea at that stage, I always had faith in my ability," the 26-year-old left-back told BBC Sport Africa.
"To get into the first team at that time was difficult. Many players got released every year as it was such a competitive atmosphere."
Chelsea were a club transformed by Roman Abramovich's takeover in 2003, winning the first of their five Premier League titles in 2005 - the year Wright joined - and their first European Champions League in 2012.
With the likes of Branislav Ivanovic, Cesar Azpilicueta and Filipe Luis ahead of him in the pecking order, Wright faced an uphill battle to break through.
However, Wright, who was born in England, did sign two professional contracts with Chelsea and says his time in west London was "a great experience".
"Chelsea have one of the best academies in the world, and to be in that kind of environment developed me as a player and a person," he added.
"I know so many boys used to come on trial and they didn't get signed. For me it was more enjoying the process, enjoying the journey and working hard and pushing my way as far as I can.
"I was still hungry for more. Unfortunately I didn't get into the first team, but I learnt and experienced a lot."
Wright did occasionally rub shoulders with the big names in the Blues squad, with former England captain John Terry among those who offered advice.
"Most of the senior players were very helpful and the one that did the same journey as the boys in the academy was John," he said.
"He used to tell us the t