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Ebou Adams has described his deadline day move to Norwich City as a dream come true.
The 20-year-old lined up against Memphis Depay and Phil Jones at Old Trafford on Monday night after being handed his debut for the Canaries’ under-21 side.
Adams, who played 26 times for Dartford after coming through their academy, signed an 18-month deal at Carrow Road after joining Norwich for an undisclosed fee.
He became the first player in Darts’ history to sign for a Premier League club.
Adams said: "It shows that dreams do come true. It’s amazing and it shows anyone can do it.
"As I went into reception at Norwich, I saw on Sky Sports ‘Norwich expected to sign Ebou Adams’. I looked at it and couldn’t believe it. I quickly turned off my phone because I knew people would be calling me.
"To see it confirmed, Norwich, and to see my name top of the list, I was overwhelmed. It still hasn’t sunk in yet, that’s how much it’s a shock to me.
"I don’t know what to say, I’m lost for words. It’s not often that a Premier League club comes in for a non-league player."
Adams was playing Ryman League football for Walton Casuals last season and only made his first-team debut for Dartford in April. He joined the club as a 15-year-old.
Adams said: "I saw an advert on the internet and one of my friends told me he was going to join Dartford.
"We trialled for Welling at the same time and it was the time when Welling were playing Dartford in a play-off so we said to each other ‘whoever wins, we’ll go to them’ and Dartford won so we both joined Dartford.
"From then on, I worked hard. Deren Ibrahim was my manager first and it was great to be under him, I learnt so much. Jason Long and Tony Burman looked after me and it shows how much I’ve progressed – and that Dartford have got quality.
"There’s loads of good players there and there will always be loads of good players coming through the Dartford ranks. You just need hard work, persistence and patience."
Read the full interview in the Dartford Messenger.