'I didn't want to go to the University' - Aribo reveals, adds that he wanted to quit football

Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo has revealed that during a turning point in his adolescence ages, he almost gave up on football.

The 26-year-old who recently signed for Premier League side Southampton and has participated in each of their three exhibition games ahead of the new season, also stated that it was a success at a trial that stopped him from quitting football, setting him on the road to the Premier League.

A £6 million transfer from Scottish powerhouses Rangers made the Nigerian international, one of five confirmed signings for Southampton this summer.

Speaking in a video he shared on his Instagram profile, Aribo said: “I went to Kingston College, I was meant to go to another college but I didn’t get in because I didn’t enrol in time.”

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“I wasn’t playing any football and I didn’t know what I was going to do. I saw one of my old teammates that I was with at under-16 Sunday league level, he was at Staines Town and told me I should go along and play.”

“My dad wouldn’t have allowed me to not do anything so he would have had me work or study, and my thing was if I was working I wouldn’t have the time or energy to play football," Aribo continued.

“So I took the education route, I knew it would be good to go to university but I didn’t actually want to. I struggled and would be late and stuff, it got to the point where I couldn’t keep doing it.”

In September 2015, former Jamaican international and current manager of Staines Town Marcus Gayle assisted Aribo in obtaining a trial with Charlton Athletic after enrolling at London South Bank University.

“I’d gone from I’m going to quit football to I’ve got a trial all of a sudden. It was my first ever trial and there were some big players there,” Aribo added.

“I’ve always had that self-belief, but I remember going into the trial and thinking let’s see where it gets you. This was my last chance, if it doesn’t work I’d stop playing football.”

“I’m always thankful to God for the position I’m in, where I am today and even just being alive," Aribo said.

“That time winning at Wembley [with Charlton Athletic] was one of my favourite moments in football, that’s the first major one.”

With about 245 senior matches of professional football experience under his belt, Aribo is expected to stay in the Premier League until 2026.