Arsenal's Ivorian defender Kolo Toure
Like many other young Africans Kolo Toure used to watch British football on television in his home country of Ivory Coast dreaming that one day he would be playing alongside his footballing heroes.
Today he is one of the most highly rated defenders in the game, turning out for one of Europe's most talented teams.
The Arsenal and Ivory Coast centre half spoke to Kick It Out about racism, how he keeps focussed and how football can help bring people together.
What is your experience of racism on and off the pitch?
As players we hear things but just get on with playing. England is only the second country I have lived in and I think that it is a really great country. You can see everybody is mixing - African, English, and Asian everyone is together as one.
Do you ever reflect on how you've made it as a top professional?
My religion, I am a devout Muslim, has helped me a lot, and at the same time I know I have worked really hard. Youngsters need to know that if you work hard you will get what you want. But if you think life is easy, you will lose everything.
Can football bring people together?
We all love football. We all enjoy it. Even if you are not a professional player, you can still play every Sunday morning with your friends and get the same enjoyment as a professional. Without a doubt football brings everybody from all communities together.
How would you encourage youngsters that want to break into the game?
I just want to tell them they have to think about their school work as well as their football. I used to wake up at 5am to train, and I used to train three times a day. Have the commitment to work really hard and don't think about things like money, because money follows after the work - when you work hard and do well, everything else falls in place.
Arsene Wenger must mean a lot to you, signing you for Arsenal?
He has helped me a lot, especially when I first came here. It wasn't easy for African players. I never played in Europe and people at first were questioning who I was, was I able to perform? I have big respect for him and I'll always try to do my best for him.
