Chelsea and Man City transfer target began playing football by kicking around PUMPKINS

GABRI VEIGA started his path to becoming a football by kicking pumpkins.

The Celta Vigo star is wanted by some of England's biggest clubs after impressing in LaLiga.

While a lot of professional players may have started as children by playing with soft toy balls, the Spaniard opted for the pumpkin.

Veiga, 21, has previously admitted, "I began playing football because of pumpkins."

He insisted that he started kicking a pumpkin across his uncle's kitchen floor "out of curiosity".

His fruit-kicking skills eventually led him to football and a spot at the Celta academy.

He has since gone on to become a first-team regular in the last two seasons, featuring 67 times in the league.

The midfielder has impressed and netted 20 goals and picked up five assists in the progress.

Veiga has formed a good partnership with former Liverpool flop Iago Aspas as they have combined to cement Celta's LaLiga status.

Former Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal, now at Celta, has also praised the midfielder for his contributions.

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The Portuguese boss insists that Veiga has been a "surprise" and that he has seen "very few like him" in his career.

Veiga's rise has seen him catch the attention of Premier League giants Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Man City are looking at Viega as a potential replacement for Ilkay Gundogan after missing out on Declan Rice.

Veiga is thought to have a release clause in his contract at Celta worth £34million.

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