FLYING full-back Jordan Zemura revealed how being released as a youngster made him more determined to make it as a professional footballer.

The Zimbabwe international this week signed a fresh contract at Cherries while enjoying a breakthrough campaign with Jason Tindall’s first team.

He had spent time in the youth ranks at Queens Park Rangers and Charlton before joining the Dorset club at the end of the 2018-19 season, following a successful trial spell.

Asked whether he ever considered giving up the game after being released as a youth player, Zemura told afcbTV: “No, never. Obviously, after getting let go when I was at Charlton and being told I wasn’t going to get offered a new contract – it was tough, of course.

“There was a period of time for around two weeks where it was really ‘how much do you want it? How much do you want to be a professional footballer?’.

“I remember being told by coaches at the club ‘this might be a blessing in disguise for you. Maybe this is what you needed’.

“At the start it’s hard to take it in. It’s really hard when you think ‘why don’t they want me?’ Being at that club for so long.

“But you can never lose love for the game because it’s something you have been doing since you were so young.

“It gave me more love, it gave me more passion. It made me feel like when I am back in it, I’m not going to look back again.

“One of many setbacks – but that was a big setback. It was one of those situations where it sort of gave me more confidence and more arrogance to be like ‘next time I get to a place, I’m not going to look back, I am going to keep on pushing and keep on going forward’.”

Zemura made his Championship debut for Cherries after coming off the bench in Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Huddersfield at Vitality Stadium.

He has also featured in Carabao Cup games against Crystal Palace and Manchester City.

He added: “Coming to a club like this gave me the platform to perform.

“It gave me the platform to find out my weaknesses and understand to myself I need to be better in certain situations.

“I still need to be better in certain situations, so I’m constantly developing. I couldn’t thank the club enough for what they’ve done for me.”