Ndiaye today penned a five-year deal with City after joining from Everton on transfer deadline day.
But in his formative years, there were frustrations and disappointments.
Born in Rouen in France, he spent time in the youth ranks at Marseille and Senegal’s Dakar Sacre Coeur before moving to England at the age of 14 with his family.
Ndiaye subsequently had trials at a host of English clubs including Southampton, Reading, Tottenham, Chelsea and Crystal Palace before finally making his mark at Boreham Wood.
His stock rose even higher at Sheffield United, Marseille and, most latterly, Everton and the Senegal international now continues his football journey with the Blues.
Ndiaye insists he always had that inner strength to succeed.
“Never thought that,” he said when asked if he ever had doubts that he wasn’t going to make it.
“All the hard work, night and day, with my dad, sisters and my mum, that never came across my mind.
“I always thought I was going to make it even though you never know what might happen. I just always thought I was going to reach the top.
“It’s just belief. I’ve always believed in myself. Every rejection, that never stopped me to accomplish my dreams and what I want to do.
“All the training, whether I was rejected or taken in, it never stopped.
“I never thought at any point that I’d made it or not, it has always been that I have to work hard every day because there’s always new targets to reach.”
Watch the full interview in the video player above.
