Tottenham striker Harry Kane says his loan spell at Millwall helped him to become the player he is today.
Kane has established himself as first-choice striker at White Hart Lane but had to spend several temporary spells away from his parent club before being given an opportunity at Spurs.
The 23-year-old played at the Den during the 2011/12 season, scoring nine goals in 27 appearances to help retain the club's Championship status.
And Kane, who will face his former club in this season's FA Cup quarter-finals, is adamant experiencing life in the second tier helped lay the foundations for success at Spurs.
“It was a great experience for me and there is no doubt it was a big stepping stone to where I am now," he told the Sun.
“Everyone knows it can be a tough place to play but I learnt so much in a short space of time and it definitely helped me grow up.
“To be thrown into that at 18 was really good and it’s one of the things that made me who I am today.”
Millwall eventually finished 17 points clear of relegation after a run of five wins in their final seven games with Kane in their side.
And the spell in south London has left a lasting effect on the Spurs golden boy: “People were playing for their livelihoods. I’ll never forget the relief on everyone’s face when we stayed up.
“It showed me how much the game could mean and that you have to do your job otherwise you won’t be in the game for long," Kane added.
Spurs host their capital rivals in what could be the last Cup tie played at White Hart Lane on the weekend commencing Match 11.
