Lopez believes 'unique' Suffolk spell helped shape him

Wolves star Fer Lopez credits a unique spell in Suffolk for helping him mature.

The attacker spent three months in England in 2018 before returning this summer after Wolves spent £19m to sign him from Celta Vigo.

Lopez was sent to Finborough School by his parents when he was 14 years old to help develop his English.

While in England he trained with Norwich and also with the senior side Bacton United '89 - who play in the Suffolk and Ipswich League - before returning to Celta's academy.

He made his senior breakthrough last season, making 20 appearances, and his performances convinced Wolves to bring him back to England.

"It was quite unique," he told BBC Sport before Saturday's Premier League opener against Manchester City at Molineux.

"Norwich was quite far from the school so I did one month there and then went to train with Bacton. I couldn't play because I was in Celta's academy - and I also trained with the school's coach after school.

"The pitch wasn't that bad and playing with grown men helps you improve other abilities.

"It had a lot of importance [to me], more personal because it was difficult experience at first as I was without my family at 14, but it helped me grow as a person."

He remains in touch with Paul Grainger, who coached him at Finborough, and feels the guidance he received has paid off.

"We speak and he watches all my games," said the 21-year-old. "We talk all the time about football, players and games. He helped me a lot when I was in England. I felt quite alone and he helped me improve, football-wise, after school.

"If he sees me and I haven't played well, he tells me that. I don't like people who always tell me I'm very good and don't tell me the reality - that doesn't give you anything.

"If they just tell you, 'you're very good', you don't improve. I don't like to be around those type of people."