Southampton striker Adams: Leicester rejected me FIVE TIMES | OneFootball

Southampton striker Che Adams aims to knock out hometown club Leicester City in today's FA Cup semifinal.

Adams was born in the East Midlands city and still considers the Foxes as his second team.

That is despite being rejected on FIVE occasions by his hometown club after trials, starting at Under-eight level and continuing all the way up to Under-16s.

None of those knockbacks were as hurtful as his release from Coventry at 14 after seven years.

But they all played a significant part in the 24-year-old's story of scrapping his way to the top, in a manner very similar to that of Jamie Vardy.

Adams, who faces Vardy & Co at Wembley on Sunday evening, said: “They made me want to play football and fall in love with the game.

“For some kids, it breaks their hearts and they don't want to play football again. But, for me, that built me into the person I am because of the determination and how hard-working I can be."