"Obviously I wasn't happy that I didn't get to go across at 16, I was disappointed and angry in a way, but I wanted to prove I am good enough to play at whatever level. When I made my debut for Linfield at 17 I thought I was ready to play for Linfield. David Healy and I had a conversation at the time and he thought I should go on loan and David Jeffrey gave me the chance at Ballymena to play every game. I then had the confidence I could go across the water, and when I got here and got my chance to play I thought I could play at this level."
"If you stay in the Irish league you will achieve first-team football quicker and get yourself established. Going across at 16, you could get stuck when you're in between first team and 21s, but every pathway is different. It just depends on the personality and attitude of the player that's doing it, and if you truly believe you deserve to play."
Trai Hume was not picked up by academies in England or Scotland at 16 and began his senior career with Ballymena United and Linfield in the Irish Premiership. He made his Linfield debut at 17, spent time on loan at Ballymena to secure regular first-team games, and gained confidence to seek opportunities across the water. Sunderland signed him in January 2022 while the club were in League One. Sunderland achieved two promotions and Hume has played 21 Premier League matches this season. Hume was named Northern Ireland Player of the Year in 2025 and values different development pathways depending on player attitude and personality.
Read at www.bbc.com
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