Dilan Markanday says he hopes to be the ‘first of many’ British Asians to make a breakthrough at Tottenham and dreams of playing for the North London club for years to come.
Markanday, 20, born in Barnet, North London to Indian parents, made history last month by becoming the first player of British Asian descent to feature for Tottenham’s senior team with his cameo appearance against Vitesse Arnhem in the Europa Conference League.
It was a ground-breaking moment for the youngster and his community which will be cherished forever, but Markanday hopes his story can inspire British Asians across the world to make the leap and achieve their dreams in football.
He said (via Independent): “It was a proud moment being the first British Asian, it is obviously great. I hope more and more come through and I am the first of many.
“I hope that lots of British Asians make that step, believe in themselves, back themselves and can come through and show what they can do.
“I hope they all see it and like it and are inspired by it, I hope they keep supporting me, following me and hopefully one of those watching will go on and do it themselves.”
Markanday has been making waves in Tottenham’s under-23 side this season and is currently joint-top scorer in the Premier League 2 with 10 goals in as many appearances, which has earned him a nomination for October’s player of the month award.
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However, the young forward does not want to sit still and admire his progress and is aiming to push on and fulfil his dream of playing for his boyhood club Spurs for years to come.
He added: “The dream is to play for Tottenham for the next 15 years, playing every game, but obviously I know things might not work out and there are going to be ups and downs. But all I can control is the controllables and things will work out for the best.
“Being around the first team has made me want it even more. It has made me hungry and I want to be in that environment every day for the next 15 years.
“Growing up in North London in Barnet, Tottenham has always been so close to home, I went to a lot of their games when I was younger.
“It has always been a club that I have massively loved, so to be now part of it and coming through the academy has been a great feeling.”
Spurs Web Opinion
Markanday’s story is so great and everyone hopes he is able to realise his dream going forward. He obviously has the talent at his disposal, but more importantly, it looks like he has his head firmly screwed on, so really the sky is the limit for him.
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