James Maddison admits being farmed out on loan to Aberdeen was the making of him.
Leicester midfielder Maddison was plying his trade in Scotland just two years ago after failing to hold down a first team place at Norwich.
The 21-year-old says the whole experience toughened him up and got him ready for his £20m move to the Premier League last summer which has catapulted him into the England set-up.
Maddison said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Aberdeen. I still speak to the manager Derek McInnes now.
“I was only there four months but I look back at that. It was a big learning curve for me in that short spell there.
“I had signed for Norwich and I was not getting a game at the start of the season. I was on the bench but not getting on then I was left out of the squad. I was not getting a sniff.
“I went to see Alex Neil, the manager at the time and asked if I could go on loan and have a good pre-season. He was happy for me to do so, and Aberdeen was the best option.
“I went there with an open mind to show everyone in Scotland what I was about, instead of England. Looking back, I am very glad with the decision I made.
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“It was my choice to go there, but I think it will toughen you up.
“I mean, I was an 18-year-old lad playing in a Scottish League Cup final at Hampden in front of 60,000 against Celtic. That’s an experience I will never forget. There I was, coming out to a big firework display and the fans were in full voice because they won 3-0.
“That’s an experience I wouldn’t have got by staying in England in the lower leagues.”
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