Aaron Wan-Bissaka has spoken of his pride at going from the streets of south London to the Premier League – and the Crystal Palace star's next aim is to break into Gareth Southgate's England squad.

Wan-Bissaka's career took off in the space of two weeks last year. On February 25, 2018, he made his Palace debut against Tottenham. On March 5, he faced Manchester United. March 10, Chelsea.

The 21-year-old right back, who is now a regular Palace first-team player, honed his skills by playing with pals in the street – and he hopes to show them off on the international stage soon.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is proud of going from the streets of London to the Premier League

The 21-year-old right back, a Palace first-team regular, honed his skills by playing in the street

'Twelve months ago, I never expected it to come out this way,' Wan-Bissaka said in an interview with GAFFER Magazine. 'I'm proud of myself for where I've come from, to be given this chance and to take it.

'My aim now is to continue doing what I'm doing and hopefully do better than I've done over the last year. I'm going in the right direction. The opportunities are being given to me. It's just all on me at the moment to take it, to pursue it.

'When I go to my parents' house, I know what to expect. Local kids chase me for autographs. I don't mind it. It makes my day. It makes me realise where I've come from, to go there and see kids coming up to me asking for autographs.

'It was always a dream to meet a footballer as a kid and to learn from them. That's how I think of it – I think of how they look up to me and how I can help.

'I had the love for the game at first sight. Growing up, I'd play anywhere, in any weather. I've never thought of anything other than becoming a professional footballer. So that was always on my mind, which helped me push and chase that dream.'

Wan-Bissaka used to spend his nights playing FIFA at home - now he is on the game himself

Asked whether he has goals to become a full England international, after representing the Young Lions at Under-20 and Under-21 levels, Wan-Bissaka said: 'I've always wanted to play for my country.

'These steps are helping, me playing for the Under-20s and Under-21s. The only step left is the first team and that's where I want to get.'

Wan-Bissaka posed for pictures in a photo shoot for GAFFER Magazine and also attended their launch party last week, along with other starlets such as Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi.

That alone is a sign of how far he has come, after he used to spend his nights playing FIFA at home. Now, he is on the game himself, and Wan-Bissaka thinks his south London upbringing helped shape his game.

The defender has enjoyed a meteoric rise to success in the last 12 months with Palace

The south London star's next aim is to break into Gareth Southgate's England squad

'I realised I stood out and I gained confidence from that,' the youngster said. '(South London) influenced me by making me able to express my raw talent. You just express yourself with the ball.

'It was a dream come true (to face Tottenham in his first-team debut). I'm used to watching them on the TV or playing them on FIFA. so to be on the same pitch as them was a miracle

'I'm into my games. I've always played FIFA. For me, I used to be at a stage where I'd have to create a player and rename him as myself to play with him. Now I'm an actual player in the game. That's a kid's dream.'

GAFFER Magazine's inaugural issue, 'England's Finest', is a stylish appreciation of the country's finest talent in football and music, featuring 38 exclusive interviews including cover stars Callum Hudson-Odoi, Emile Smith Rowe and Siobhan Bell. A unique media platform, projecting global football culture through authentic storytelling and stunning photography, GAFFER bridges the gap between football, music and fashion and is imbued with powerful stories that promote the achievements of today's generation. www.gaffer.online @gaffermag