Crystal Palace defender Tyrick Mitchell admits he's at Eagles thanks to Brentford's academy shutting down.

His old club are now looking forward to a first season in the Premier League.

Mitchell recalled to Palace's website: “It was weird, I went to see two other teams and I wanted to stay in London because that's all I knew. I was leaning towards anyone that was close to London.

“But then I got told that Palace would want to sign me straight away. I thought about it for a second, but then straight away I knew: 'It's in London, they're a good club.'

"So when I heard Palace, my mind was kind of set on trying to meet them and trying to push that through. I met Gary [Issott]. He showed me that if I was to work hard and fulfill what I need to do, that the pathway is there."

For Mitchell, facilities are only half of what makes a successful academy structure.

“Sometimes you're going through your career and you're going through ups and downs," he explains.

“Life is full of ups and downs, especially when you have the pressure in football, it's even harder. Having coaches that you can speak to away from football, that understand you, is vital.

“You might not be playing to the best of your ability, you might not be happy and then if you have no one you can vent to, no one you can speak to, no one who can help you, then it becomes a dark world and you feel alone.

"That's the main thing for a club. You're constantly dealing with a load of different personalities, and having the best facilities doesn't always bring out the best in players."