Liverpool youngster Sergi Canos has been a revelation at Brentford during his loan spell and the 19-year-old attacking midfielder believes his time at the club has made him a better player.
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has been sufficiently impressed with the Spaniard's performances at Griffin Park to run the rule over him in the final days of the season.
And Canos will be keeping Brentford and their in his heart for the rest of his life as he reflected on his first season of senior football.
He said: I've enjoyed it a lot here. It is my first experience in professional football and it's been great. For me and my family, everything has been amazing.
“I've grown every day as a footballer and as a person and everyone at the club has been great with me.”
In pictures: Sergi Canos' loan at Brentford
Liverpool signed Canos as a 16-year-old in 2013 from Barcelona and the Spaniard admitted it was a tough time for him as he adapted from the Spanish way of life to the English one.
He admitted: “It was very hard. My first year in Liverpool was very hard for me and my family but I don't change anything.
“It's been difficult. It's not easy to come to a new country with a new language and culture and with your family. I was 16 when I came.
“If I came now, I'm 19 and more mature. I was 16 and didn't know what life means. My family love living in Liverpool.”
The Spaniard moved on loan to Brentford as an 18-year-old and was handed the number 47 shirt and Canos explained the story behind the number.
"David Villa when he was playing for Valencia. He was maybe my idol but now he's nearly retired,” Canos explained.
“When David Villa was at Valencia he used to wear the seven and my family support Valencia. We always said Villa was Spain's number seven. I love Villa.
“Seven is Sam (Saunders), 17 is Kersch (Konstantin Kerschbaumer). 27 is David Button. 37 is Courtney Senior so 47 was it.”
Canos came off the bench late on in Brentford's 1-1 draw with Leeds but his home debut against Preston was one to remember as he provided the impetus for the Bees to go from 1-0 down to win 2-1.
He reflected: “That was a little bit of luck. My first ball was an assist. It was a perfect day maybe. I think it was a little bit of luck as well. I tried to make an impact. It was good.
“It gave me a springboard. After that, everyone was asking who was that number 47 and I'm glad. It was very good.”
The Spaniard had to cope with three different head coaches during the season and admitted to being nervous when the changes were made.
He explained: “It was difficult. I remember when Marinus (Dijkhuizen) left (in September), I asked my Dad who is going to come and I was scared when Lee Carsley left (in December) as well. It's part of football. It's part of my life and I've learnt from that.”
He went on: “Marinus trusted in me and I made my debut with him and after my debut; the Preston game.
“He trusted in me and that's so important and that gives you more confidence in yourself. They were my first games in the Championship which is really hard.
“Lee is a happy guy and always smiling. He always tried to encourage me to play with a smile on my face and everything will go right.
"With Dean (Smith) and Richard (O'Kelly), they are trying to make me a better player. They're trying to make me think that I'm good.
“You have to trust in yourself and I'm growing every day with them and that's the lesson with them.”
Canos made 39 appearances for Brentford over the season and cites his favourite moment as his first goal against Nottingham Forest, which saw him celebrate with his uncle in the stands.
He revealed: “I think, for me, the goal against Nottingham Forest was very emotional and, for the club, this run of games have been great in the last month of the season.
“I knew (my uncle) was there (against Forest). My two uncles were there so it was one of the best moments in my life and for it to happen at Brentford.
“My family is very important for me. My whole family including my uncles, grandparents. Everyone is with me and has been with me this season. It's amazing. They want the best for me and I want the best for them.”
For the Brentford fans, though, it will be his goal of the season against Reading that will live long in the memory.
He said: “When I scored that goal it was the dream goal. It was amazing – after the goal I saw the video and I thought wow. I didn't realise that was me. It was really good.”
Brentford endured a difficult start to 2016 and Canos revealed that Smith and O'Kelly's attitude on the training ground helped lift them out of their slump in April.
He revealed: “For me, I told my family it was a really difficult time at the club. For me, the most important thing was the gaffer Dean and Rich didn't stop smiling or saying good morning.
“That gave us a better atmosphere. If everyone is down it's difficult and they tried to be happy always. We lost a lot of games and they were always upbeat and trying new things.”
Canos enjoys one of the best relationships with the Brentford fans that a loan player has had, with supporters appreciating his 100 per cent attitude.
He said: “The fans play a big part in the football you play. I'm a positive and happy person as you can see.
“I think fans like that. For me, the fans have to be with the players. We have to feel them and it's good to have them with us.
“The fans are very important. If you see the fans believing in you you can do good things. If you see the fans don't believe in you you can be a bit scared of doing things.”
Canos has now returned to Liverpool after Brentford's season came to an end and, understandably, the 19-year-old wants to force his way into the first team at Anfield.
“I want to be in Klopp's plans for the future. Let's see what happens,” he said. “I'd be happy to come back (to Brentford) if Liverpool think I need a loan move. Let's see what happens. I don't know what plans Klopp has for me or what Liverpool want for me.
“I hope Liverpool are happy for me. It's not easy to come to the Championship and score six goals and make however many appearances. I hope they value what I'm doing.”
Whether Canos returns to Brentford next season or not, the club and the supporters will remain in his heart.
He said: “Brentford will always be the first professional year for me and I've learnt a lot and it's been a great year.
“I will be thankful with them for all my life. They've helped me a lot. I've received messages from the fans nearly every day and they're really supportive of me and happy with what I've done. I'm happy they're with me like that.”
