Abu has played 17 games in all competitions so far for our youth team this season, scoring three goals. Across all competitions, he has played as a right-back, a right wing-back and as a right-sided centre-half, proving a big reason why Ed Brand’s side have been so defensively solid.

However, his versatility is not merely restricted to the football field. Having started learning music from a young age as part of his church choir, Abu has continued that passion alongside his footballing progress.

He is currently writing and producing his own songs while balancing the rigours as a young prospect at one of the most competitive academies in the country, with his debut offering ‘Life’s Changing’ out now.

To mark that release, we caught up with the 18-year-old for a chat about his musical inspirations and how he juggles finding the right notes on the field and in the studio…

What inspired you to start making music?

‘I have been making music as long as I have been playing football, going to church with my mum and being involved with the church choir. My love for music only grew from there.

‘I think I had a natural talent and the most important thing is I enjoyed singing so from there it just became a hobby.’

At what age did you write your first song?

‘I wrote my first song when I was 11 years old. I found it enjoyable and easy to do so I just kept making a lot more songs after that.’

How have you managed football and music at the same time?

‘Firstly, I want people to know that I have always wanted to do both, so I made sure that I was committed to both and ready for the workload of both as I do not want one to suffer at the hands of the other.

‘I want to do both at a high level. It has been relatively easy because I have put my mind to doing both. I believe if I am putting in performances and developing as a footballer, there is no reason I cannot develop as a music artist too.’

What has been the reception to you doing both from you family, friends, and team-mates?

‘They all love it and show me tremendous amounts of support. My sister is my second pair of ears - she is really the person I trust with my music and if she likes it then I am sure the public will too.

‘My team-mates always tell me what they like about my music and that also gives me confidence as they are believing in something that I have made.’

What is the inspiration behind your latest song ‘Life’s Changing’?

‘It’s an old song which I picked out of the archives and made a couple of changes to, but it has turned out well. It has such a cool beat and that helps me get across the message of the song.

‘The song talks about how I am basically living two dreams at the same time and how I will keep working hard to make sure that I continue along this path.’

What advice would you give to anyone in your situation doing to passions together or at least trying to do two together?

‘You have to be yourself, don’t be different from that, don’t just follow the crowd and you cannot be afraid.’