George Dobson delighted to be back with Walsall

But George Dobson believes the time he spent in Holland has helped him mature as a player and person.

The former West Ham midfielder enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Saddlers back in the 2016/17 campaign.

But while manger Jon Whitney was eager to make that temporary switch permanent in the summer, Sparta made a cash-bid to lure the youngster to the Netherlands.

Dobson played under former Rangers and Sunderland boss Dick Advoctt while he was with the Eredivisie side.

But after losing his place in the team, the 20-year-old admitted he found living abroad tough.

“Last summer I got a call from my agent to say Sparta were interested in me and they then quickly agreed a deal with West Ham,” Dobson said.

“It all happened in a few days. I went over and things started really well. I adapted quickly and was in the team.

“But things changed, as they do in football, and it didn’t quite work out.

“But it was an experience I will be able to call upon throughout my career and in my life.

“I lived in a foreign country, on my own, at 19 years old. That’s not something many people do.

“I took a risk, it didn’t quite pay off. But now I’m delighted to be back at Walsall and looking forward to really kicking on as a player.”

Dobson said he enjoyed living in Rotterdam itself and playing in the Eredivisie. But he found it tough being on his own when he was out of the team.

“Rotterdam was a lovely place to live in,” he continued.

“I lived in the city centre and there was plenty to do. We all know about Amsterdam and what that is all about.

“Rotterdam is the complete opposite, which is great for a young footballer. And the vast majority of people speak English.

“The hardest thing for me was not playing, when I was playing and living abroad everything was fine.

“But it was really difficult not playing. You are on your own, there is nobody else there who you are close to and you’ve got no family. That is tough.”

Dobson, who has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Saddlers, stayed in contact with Whitney throughout his time in Holland.

And when the boss said he wanted to bring him back to the UK, the youngster admitted he was delighted.

“When the gaffer said he was interested in bringing me back it was a no-brainer for me,” he added.

“I really felt I improved here as a player last season, particularly in the second half of the season.

“The gaffer and I stayed in contact because you never know what is going to happen.

“Then when the deal got over the line I was ecstatic. I can only thank him for giving me the opportunity.”