Dagenham & Redbridge striker Adeoye Yusuff is still working as a waiter, despite signing a professional deal with the League Two club in England.
The 20-year-old joined the Daggers from non-league Chatham Town last week.
“I am working some of my notice. I didn’t want to just leave because I had the opportunity,” Yusuff said.
“I am a humble boy and everything I do is just a reflection of me and what kind of person I am.”
Yusuff scored 24 goals in 38 appearances during a 10-month spell with Isthmian League North side Chatham, while also working at a restaurant.
Even after signing for the Daggers on Friday, he returned to work at Wagamama in Kent before making his debut from the bench against Cambridge on Saturday.
“When I signed my contract on Friday I had to call them and say I was going to be a bit late,” he said. “They were fine with it, so that was great.
“From signing I went back and worked until about midnight. The next morning I got the train to Dagenham East, came to the stadium and made my debut. It was just a whirlwind couple of days.
“I am still there at the moment and am going into work on Thursday.”
Yusuff began his career in the youth ranks at Stevenage, but left without making a senior appearance and has had spells with non-league sides Banbury United, St Neots Town and AFC Hornchurch.
He is grateful Dagenham manager Wayne Burnett has given him the chance to play professional football.
“Being full-time is what everyone who plays football dreams of. To become a professional footballer just means the world to me,” said Yusuff.
“Now it has come I am relishing the opportunity to come into each game and try and better myself as a footballer. Hopefully this can just be the beginning of my journey.”
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