Emmanuel Dennis, one of the success stories of the footballing year, has claimed that he very nearly missed out on a career within the sport.
The Watford FC striker has scored six goals and made five assists this season, helping his team out of the Premier League relegation zone.
He signed for just £3.4 million in the summer, but has revealed his career could have taken a very different turn.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "I have never dreamt of being a professional footballer because I wanted to be something else.
"I wanted to be a priest but today I'm a baller."
When asked how important his faith was to him, he said: "I grew up in a family which believes so much in God. So as a young boy I went to church and admired the priest.
"As I grew up I was good at football and people told me I was good."
Dennis is just 24 and is thought of very highly within football circles. It's understood larger clubs Manchester United and Arsenal have both seen him as a potential signing.
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Article by Marcus Jones
Marcus Jones is Premier's group head of news
