Brighton & Hove Albion defender, Tariq Lamptey has credited his parents for making his footballing ambitions a reality as they have been very supportive.

The 19 year has been turning heads with his breathtaking display this season in the English Premier League as in the first three matches he has been involved in at least a goal.

Lamptey who was on the books of Chelsea from the age of seven left Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window after struggling for game time and is having a breakthrough season at the AMEX Stadium.

According to the player, he wants to make his parents proud because they have helped make his dream possible.

“My parents are a massive influence on me,” he told Brighton and Hove Albion website. “They were always taking me up and down the country to training sessions.

“It’s not easy as a parent, especially when you’re working and trying to provide for your family, to also take your kid up to Manchester or Birmingham.

“It’s a hard job. I have two younger brothers as well, so it wasn’t an easy time. [I remember] little things like my mum picking me up from school, having food for me in the car and heading straight off to training because the traffic was so bad on the M25. Or my dad training me early in the morning before school.

“He says he was a footballer, but I haven’t seen any videos to prove it! He’s played a massive part in why I’m here today and my mum as well because they sacrificed a lot for me.

“It means a lot for me to be playing in the Premier League and hopefully giving back to them as well.”