Fabio Silva’s learning fast after big move at a tough time

But imagine doing that at 18 years old in the middle of a global pandemic. It’s not easy.

Fabio Silva made the switch from his native Portugal in September last year to join a contingent of his compatriots at Wolves.

Not only did he change country and cultures, but he also arrived with a weight of expectation after Wolves smashed their transfer record to sign him for £35million.

Now, sitting across a zoom call, the teenager has almost perfectly mastered the English language and has an air of confidence.

Silva said: “My English was bad at the start but when I came here I wasn’t the only Portuguese here, the guys helped me when I speak and it’s better. I can improve again but for my first year my English isn’t bad.”

He has had plenty of time to practice, too, with the UK gripped in lockdown restrictions for much of the last year.

Footballers, of course, have been playing as normal for many months now in empty arenas.

All four of Silva’s goals in old gold and black have been behind closed doors, meaning the youngster has been robbed of some special moments in his fledgling career.

He added: “I played two years with Porto and Wolverhampton in a pandemic, without fans because I like to play with fans.

“When you are a player you have a motivation to play with fans, you feel the love of the fans.

“You don’t have a full stadium but you have to play to the conditions you have, now things are getting better and we have two games with fans – Everton and Manchester United – and football without the fans is not the same.”

Away from football the teenager has been restricted in what he can do as he navigates life a new country.

“I don’t do anything here,” he said.

“I sometimes go to the park but I don’t do anything, I stay home.

“Sometimes when I have two days off I go to London or Birmingham for shopping, but it’s a short time.

“I don’t like the travel; two hours to London and two hours back again. I don’t like it. I stay home.

“I feel at home here because there’s a lot of Portuguese. With the group we do a dinner or lunch, it’s better.”

As well as moving to a new country to follow his dreams, Silva has also left behind his family in Portugal.

His siblings and parents, including his father Jorge who was a former international player, have all had to watch on as Silva embarks on a new journey.

But the young man himself is focused on the task in hand as he bids to create a future in the game.

“It’s difficult because I don’t see my family a lot of the time,” he added.

“I stay here with a friend but I don’t see my family a lot. I speak with them on FaceTime but it’s not the same.

“You have to adjust. Now the time is to stay far away from my family. It’s more important now to focus on these three games, have a good three games, and then I’ll see my family.

”I saw my mum and sister at Christmas, but my father and brother I saw in October. I have a very strong connection with my family.”