Second-year scholar Nathaniel Appiah has football running through his family, with his brother Arvin recently signing a professional contract at Nottingham Forest.
The pair came to England from their birth country Holland at an early age, and have grown up in football together.
“I’m delighted for him,” said Appiah.
“He’s worked really hard these past few years and he deserves his professional contract. I’ve grown up with him and he loves football.
“We used to play football together growing up in Holland. We used to do extras to better ourselves.
“We’d go to the gym, then we’d do extras at home like passing, heading and things that we needed to improve on.”
Appiah joined Dale as a scholar from Forest, where he played alongside his brother, who has gone on to represent England at youth level, in their Academy.
“I was at Mansfield then I went to Nottingham Forest before coming here.
“My brother was already at Forest when he was nine, then I joined him and we played together for two years.
“He’s been doing really well for England under-17s. They’ve got the World Cup in a few months, and he’s really excited to for that if he gets selected.”
Appiah’s scholarship at the Crown Oil Arena will end this season, and he is hoping to follow in his brother’s footsteps and secure a professional deal.
“I’ve been working hard on the things that I need to improve on. I’ve been doing extras at home and the gym.
“I think I’ve improved over these last 18months. Last year I didn’t play well and I wasn’t as confident.
“But this year I’m improving as a player, I’m getting more confident on and off the ball. I feel like I’m getting stronger and fitter as well.”
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