YOU often hear about the sacrifices footballers make to ensure their dreams come true.

But for Alex Dobre, the journey from his native Romania to earn a chance in the Premier League confirmed his desire to be the best.

“We are excited about his potential and future at AFC Bournemouth," said then under-21 boss Stephen Purches, when the Romanian star left his homeland to grasp his opportunity with Cherries in 2016.

The forward had only turned 18 that week but the sacrifices had started years before that.

“In Romania, I left my house when I was 14 years old,” Dobre told the Daily Echo.

“It was for a Romanian team that was in another city. I am from Bucharest but I played in Cluj so it’s like eight hours away.

“I am used to being away from the family.

“It makes you become more mature, more responsible. I think because I left my house and family at 14 it made me grow up faster.

“Bournemouth made me an offer – you can’t refuse the Premier League.”

A regular for the club’s under-21 setup in recent times, Dobre on Friday celebrates his 21st birthday.

Since being in England, he has already swapped Bucharest for loan spells in the form of Bury, Rochdale and Yeovil – meaning he has also experienced different parts of the country.

He admitted, at first, the new surroundings took time to get used to – but the talented Romanian under-21 international speaks to parents Vironeca and Mihai every day.

“My family is back in Romania but they support me from there,” said the former Viitorul Constanta youngster.

“It’s a different language (here) but I knew how to speak English when I was about six or seven years old.

“The boys also make me become good at English, so I get used to it with everyone.

“There’s a little bit of change in the food and the culture but everything is fine now. I have got used to it.

“In Romania we have different food, we eat a lot of soups and stuff like that. Here you don’t have the soups we have in Romania. It’s not a big difference – it’s medium.

“If you want to reach your dream you need to make these changes.”

Dobre featured in all but one of Cherries’ pre-season clashes and said boss Eddie Howe “will keep me for the moment” rather than sending him out on loan.

He could feature in Cherries’ Carabao Cup second round home contest with Forest Green Rovers tomorrow (7.45pm).

The youngster added: “It was a good pre-season with some very good games. It was important I got minutes and I showed my qualities and we got fit for the Premier League games.

“The minutes from there made me improve, become better and I am very happy to play in this team and do great things together.

“He (Howe) will keep me for the moment here and if I train and play well, for sure, I will make my debut. I need to work hard, improve every day and my chance will come.

“My target this season is to get in the team and make my debut in the Premier League. This is one of the things I dream of and I want to make them happen.”

Dobre’s talent was further recognised by the club in October 2018, when he penned a fresh three-year contract.

And with that security, the Bucharest-born talent is eager to make his mark on England’s elite level.

“The Premier League is the hardest league you can play in,” he said.

“For me it would be a dream to play in the Premier League and I would be very happy to make that step this season.

“If I make that step. I will focus to come in the first XI and play for the biggest clubs in Europe.

“They (my parents) will be very proud for sure when it happens. If I know (when), they will be here.”