Matty Cash has gone from released by Wycombe Wanderers and working in a shop to being a Premier League star, leaving his mark on Nottingham Forest in between.
The 22-year-old vividly remembers the first time he saw the City Ground as he fought for a second chance to make it in professional football.
Cash did not take the stereotypical road to get to where he is now, after being let go by Wycombe at the age of 14
For most players their realistic route to a career in the game is over at that point, but through a combination of skill, determination and probably an element of luck, there was still a path for Cash.
He combined playing at the Bisham Abbey-based FAB Acadmey with a job in retail before Nottingham Forest gave him a chance to get his foot in the door at the age of 17.
Six years later he hasn't looked back, completing a £14m move to Aston Villa after being linked with Sheffield United, Fulham, West Ham and even Italian giants AC Milan.
After completing his move to Villa Park, which could eventually net Forest a further £2m in add-ons, Cash took to Twitter to say his goodbyes and thank those who helped him on the way.
Speaking back to the press in January, Cash gave more insight into his path through the game to get to where he is now.
"It's been a massive journey. The last five years have been life changing, going from playing college football and working part time," he said.
"I'm playing at one of the biggest clubs in England. It's an honour to play for a club like Forest and I'm living the dream.
"I'm taking every day as it comes.
"I remember (my first day here). I came here on trial and stuck my head in to have a look at the ground.
"I was 17 and thought I'd love to play here. To play quite a few games so far is a dream come true."
Cash was an attack minded central midfielder when he joined Forest before becoming a right-winger.
He spent time on loan at Dagenham and Redbridge before making his Reds debut against Burton Albion in August 2016, going on to play 116 times and counting for the club.
While he put in plenty of the hard yards himself, Cash credits the staff at the Nigel Doughty Academy for a huge part in his development.
"The two years in the academy was massive for me. Gary Brazil, Jack Lester and his staff, Kevin MacDonald, Jimmy Gilligan - they were superb with me," he said.
"I wouldn't say I was strong or quick so they build me up and got me to where I am now. I can't thank them enough."
Cash is also swift to recognise the work of first team manager Sabri Lamouchi and his staff, including assistant coaches David Barriac, Bruno Baltazar, and Jean-Paul Ancian.
It was they who recognised Cash had all the attributes to be a right-back last summer and have since supported him as he plays the best football of his career at present.
"The gaffer has been good, all of them, David, Bruno, Jean-Paul.
"They've been on me everyday giving me advice. They've been brilliant. I'm really grateful to them."
