The Ebou Adams story comes full circle on Saturday when the former Dartford midfielder lines up for Leyton Orient against Ebbsfleet.

Adams was a fresh-faced academy graduate in 2015 when Darts boss Tony Burman handed him a surprise start against title favourites Fleet in National League South.

But aged just 19 at the time, Adams bossed midfield, was named man-of-the-match and never looked back.

Football League scouts started watching and he joined Norwich on deadline day in the January transfer window.

Development football and loan spells at Braintree and Shrewsbury followed but now Adams is playing regular first-team football again under former Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh.

He said: “I’ve been enjoying it, getting game time and playing well. It all goes together.

“The main thing is getting your fitness up and playing football week in, week out.

“When you have a passion for football and you’re playing, you start to enjoy it so much.

“I think I’ve developed everywhere I’ve been. I’ve learned as much as I can and taken it into my game. I think I’m growing to become a better player and have a better understanding of the game.

“Being a professional is a dream for me and I could never take that for granted.

“I’m doing what I love every day, working hard and hopefully it pays off.”

Adams has started Orient’s last five league games and knows there will be particular interest in his next appearance at Brisbane Road.

“This is the game (Ebbsfleet) where I made myself known and I’m looking to do it again,” he said.

“To come into a game like that and do well, and to kick on and do what I did, was really good.

“It’s just about playing games. You learn from your mistakes and use that experience to become a better player, to make the right decisions next time.

“You’ve got the staff and the older players to help you out. I had Elliot Bradbrook, Barry Cogan and Lee Noble all helping me and they’re three of the best you could have.”

Going full-time with Norwich meant Adams had to relocate – a big deal for a young man.

He said: “It’s not easy moving away from your family but that’s what comes with football, that’s the sacrifice you’ve got to make, not having everyday contact.

“Like I said to my mum, I would never have thought of moving out so young but I’ve learned so much responsibility as a person, to look after myself, eat the right things and look after a property.”

Adams came through Dartford’s academy and says the club will always have a special place in his heart.

He said: “Ever since I left Dartford, I’ve tried to watch them when I can. I still speak to Ronnie Vint from time to time and I’ve not stopped keeping an eye on Dartford.

“They’re doing well so hopefully they carry on and win automatic promotion.

“As soon as Ronnie went past 100 appearances I congratulated him straight away. I’m really pleased for him because it’s not easy, going into the first team.

“Not everyone gets the chance to play, week in, week out, and it’s so tough to go from the academy. There’s 20 and it comes down to two or three.

“Ronnie’s done really well and I’m happy for him.”

Adams will spend the rest of this season with Orient, but beyond that?

“Right now, I’m not focusing on what’s going to happen,” he said. “I’m just looking to get game time and enjoy myself.

“I don’t want to be thinking about other things, I just want to think about what’s in front of me at the moment.”