I taught Evan Ferguson how to drive in a Ford Fiesta and helped get Brighton sensation's career on track with pep talks | The Sun

EVAN FERGUSON has gone from strength to strength on the pitch but had help from an unlikely source – his driving instructor.

The Brighton striker broke into the first-team last season and became just the fourth teenager to score a Premier League hat-trick against Newcastle on Saturday.

Ferguson, 18, joined an elite club which includes Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Chris Bart-Williams, and his driving instructor never doubted his potential.

Shakil Chowdhury, whose TikTok video praising the Seagulls star went viral, knew Ferguson would go far as soon as he began teaching him.

Chowdhury, 38, told SunSport: "I knew it! When I started teaching him he was in and out of the main team, but I knew he would go far.

"I used to wind up my mates by saying 'this guy is going to destroy you tonight' and my prediction came true. If you talk to someone you can tell what they want to achieve in their life. He was so committed, so focused.

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"When he used to be a substitute he prayed to play for longer so I encouraged him, I said 'you will get this opportunity, you will get this chance just trust me, be patient'.

"It's the same as driving you have to have patience, so that's the way I used to motivate him – I used to motivate him a lot."

Chowdhury's Shakil School of Motoring usually charges customers £38 per hour, and teaches pupils around Worthing and Lancing.

Ferguson, who reportedly earns around £20,000 a week at Brighton, is now planning to buy a Mercedes after passing in a Ford Fiesta thanks to Chowdhury's tutelage.

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The Republic of Ireland international found Chowdhury to be so helpful he has recommended his team-mates enlist his services.

Chowdhury revealed he has taught eight Brighton academy stars how to drive, with more learning.

He added: "They are all amazing, it wasn't hard to teach them.

"[With Ferguson] It was easygoing, lovely and fun, we had lots of funny conversations and we used to chat a lot. As a teacher I was very close to him and got to know him very well.

"We talked about his hobbies and his matches. We used to talk about the games coming up and I used to wind him up about it.

"His dream is to play for a top club. He believes in himself so much."

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