Ali Fadal and Leslie Okai, two young prospects from the VCF Academy, were reunited this past week at the Ciudad Deportiva.

Fadal arrived two seasons ago, and the Ghanaian midfielder has won honours with VCF Juvenil A, played for VCF Mestalla consistently and made his senior debut in the Copa del Rey last year.

Okai has followed in the footsteps of his compatriot, with whom he coincided at the Ghana Angels Soccer Academy in Accra and the SIMA Montverde Academy in Florida.

“For me, Ali Fadal is like an older brother. As soon as I heard about the possibility of coming to Valencia CF I contacted Ali and he helped me a lot," he told VCF Media.

They both share the dream of continuing to grow at Valencia CF, but have their roots close to their hearts.

"I was born in a small village that had no roads and no electricity. We didn't even have money to go to school for two years, so we stayed at home. I remember hearing my mother cry all the time" says Fadal, who was taken to Florida by a SIMA Montverde scout, before being picked up by Valencia CF.

“Every summer when I go back to Ghana to see my mother and sisters, I always ask my teammates if they can give me boots and training wear to distribute among the community and at the academy where I started playing in Accra. I have a responsibility to the young people in my community in Ghana, who look up to me."

“Every time I go back, I am happy because everyone is so pleased for me there. Now everyone in my community is a Valencia CF fan," revealed Fadal.

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