'Grit and bite' - The journals and journey behind Man City's Antoine Semenyo's remarkable rise

Antoine Semenyo has had a circuitous route to the top end of the Premier League but will be determined to take his chance at Manchester City

Antoine Semenyo's diary entries for this week will make for interesting reading. The Manchester City new boy keeps a journal to help him take notes on his game and his beliefs.

It started when he was 16 and it's certainly paid off. A decade on he has become a £62.5million City signing, joining a club competing on four fronts with a manager in Pep Guardiola who is excited about the heights the forward can reach.

City beat off interest from a host of other clubs - including Manchester United and Liverpool - to capture the Ghana international and he could make his debut against Exeter City in the FA Cup on Saturday.

It completes an inspirational journey to the top for Semenyo, who was rejected by a clutch of clubs as a youngster - including Arsenal and Tottenham - and spent a year away from football as a 15-year-old.

Then came an open trial organised by former Leeds United manager Dave Hockaday at Bisham Abbey. It led Semenyo to move to Swindon and attend South Gloucestershire and Stroud College to study a BTech in sports science. He played for the Wiltshire Academy team and began to find his football feet again, earning a trial and subsequently a contract with Bristol City.

A loan spell at non-league Bath City followed, where Semenyo began his upward journey. There were stumbling blocks. A red card in a game against Wealdstone, the need to improve his fitness and diet while at Bristol City, and further loan spells before he broke through with the Robins.

It's shaped the player and the person into someone City see a huge amount in. Semenyo himself has worked hard off the field to hone his game, analysing clips, developing his fitness and improving his mindset. The rewards are being reaped.

“There have been loads of moments when I was a kid where things didn’t go right and I doubted myself,” he said, speaking in an interview with Bournemouth's club website in November.

“Now, when things go pear-shaped, I’ve still got that mentality; if I get that opportunity again, I’ll make sure I do better, I’ll make sure I take that chance.

“My mindset has shifted so much. It gives me extra grit and bite. It was unfortunate that I didn’t get picked up by one of the clubs I went on trial with back then when I was in my teenage years, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.”