Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth has opened up about his challenging journey to success, revealing that he almost quit after facing rejection from top clubs like Chelsea and Arsenal during his early years.
The 24-year-old took an unconventional path to the Premier League, spending several years in the lower divisions of English football. Semenyo kick-started his professional career at Bristol City but was loaned out to lower-tier clubs like Bath City and Newport County before getting another loan stint with Championship side Sunderland in 2020.
His breakthrough came when Bournemouth signed him for £10 million from Bristol City in January 2023, fulfilling his dream of playing in the Premier League. Since then, Semenyo has become a key player for Bournemouth, scoring eight goals and providing two assists in 31 Premier League matches this season.
Reflecting on his journey, Semenyo revealed that he faced rejections from clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, and Millwall during his formative years. Despite feeling disheartened by the constant setbacks, he credits those experiences for making him mentally stronger.
While discussing his career setbacks, Semenyo admitted that he considered taking a break to focus on regaining his confidence and mental strength after feeling overwhelmed by rejection.
However, he believes that those challenges ultimately shaped his character and mentality, making him grateful for the resilience he developed.
Semenyo’s exceptional performance has earned him a nomination for Bournemouth’s Player of the Season award, highlighting his significant impact on the team.
