It's been a dream start to life in the Premier League for Todd Cantwell.
Having scored against Chelsea and Manchester City, the Norwich City midfielder says it's surreal to be playing in the first team for his boyhood club.
Cantwell was born in nearby Dereham and signed for Norwich's Academy a decade ago before making his senior breakthrough last season.
"I've been at Norwich for more than 10 years and it's pretty surreal to say I'm playing in the Premier League with them now," Cantwell said when receiving his Premier League Debut Ball, given to mark a homegrown player's first appearance in the competition.
"To be in the first team at this time is extra special. It's a really good group, it's full of young lads, we all get on and that makes it extra special for me."
The 21-year-old made his Premier League bow against Liverpool at Anfield. It was a 4-1 loss, but it was an experience to treasure for Cantwell, who started alongside fellow youth products Ben Godfrey, Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons.
Head coach Daniel Farke has placed his faith in Cantwell after an impressive pre-season and he said: "He has improved day-to-day since pre-season began and he was also an important part of last season.
"But right now, to step up his level in the best league in the world is outstanding, and I just can praise him."
Last Saturday Cantwell was instrumental in the Canaries inflicting the first league defeat for champions Man City since January and he is determined to keep repaying the faith Farke has placed in much of the squad that won promotion in 2018/19.
"I think it gives us all a boost that we're trusted to do a job that other clubs think they need to spend millions of pounds on," Cantwell said.
"It's a compliment in many ways that he's kept with the lads who are here. All we can do now is show that back to him and try to get the results that we need."
