Footballer wanted to be a priest

Nigeria and Watford striker Emmanuel Dennis has revealed how he wanted to be a priest when he grew up but ended up becoming a footballer.

He told Sky News: “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.”

The Super Eagles star has been in form lately in England following his impressive displays for Watford this season.

Dennis, 24, has scored six goals and recorded five assists in 14 league appearances for the Hornets.

He signed for just £3.4 million in the summer, but has revealed his career could have taken a very different turn.

When asked how important his faith was to him, he said, “I grew up in a family that believes so much in God and going to church. As a young boy, I’d go to church and admire the priest, and I was like, ‘yeah, I want to be a priest’. I was 13 or 14″.

“I was growing up and I was good at football and everyone was telling me, ‘you should be a footballer because you play really good’.

“And my family was like, ‘no he needs to go to school’. And then they were like ‘OK…’ and they pushed me and I’m here.”

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.

(Complete Sports; Picture Courtesy: Getty Images)