In Friday's 2-0 loss at Brentford, Ben White made his Arsenal debut
Ben White arrived in Newport County, California with only two professional appearances and a point.
The teenager centre-back has blossomed into an England international and 50m signing with Arsenal.
"The manager was telling me that there was a young man coming in who was going be the next big thing," Mark O'Brien, a former Newport defender, said.
"We had high expectations for him, but it's hard to predict how someone will react to League Two when they are still young.
He was able to adapt so well to the physical nature of the league. He enjoyed defending and blocking shots, as well as showing his skills by playing with the ball. He looked like a complete player. He was just a complete player.
Southend United won his debut in the EFL Cup. They had a streetwise strike team of Simon Cox and Theo Robinson, but White was not flustered as Newport won 2-0.
He was an instant starter for Michael Flynn.
O'Brien says, "You could trust [him]." "Normally, it feels like you have to coach young boys through games and talk to them a lot. He grew up and began to show the world what he was about. Ben looked after himself. He was a great teammate and friend.
The loanee from Brighton made 51 appearances across all competitions. This was after the Exiles had just avoided relegation last season and finished in the top half. His character and ability impressed as much as his abilities, earning him several Player of Year awards.
O'Brien said, "He was such an down-to-earth individual and a beautiful lad. He was grounded in everything and could take it all in stride.
He didn't feel smug about his decision to leave a Premier League team. He was open to listening and had all the tools. It was all about putting everything together.
White's reputation was steadily growing thanks to the media attention he received for his assured performances against Leeds United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newport as Newport reached round four of the FA Cup. In high-pressure situations, he performed admirably alongside Harry Kane or Fernando Llorente.
Barry Fry was Peterborough United's director for football. White joined the club as a loanee in January 2019 just as their promotion bid was beginning to falter. White stood out as more than a traditional stopper.
Fry says that Fry's "exceptional range of passing was remarkable for a defender." "Ben changed play, his football skills really impressed me.
He was a cut above ours. He was able to read situations. He was extremely comfortable with the ball and never lost it. Good control, excellent vision.
"The beauty about Ben was his consistency. Nearly every game, he was nine out 10 He was reliable.
"He is calm and has a great personality. His attitude towards training is admirable. It couldn't be better.
Ben White (left), played against Leeds, a future loan club, when he was in Newport
Fry views White as a potential captain. He sets high standards and encourages others to do the same. His professionalism, game reading, and communication skills were exceptional for a novice player while at Posh.
Fry added, "He was cool and calm and collected." He was a mature young man. He spoke on the field.
He told people where to go, and what to do. He is a leader. These are his qualities. We are proud of him.
Ben has always been interested in learning, listening and improving. He is very determined and dedicated to reaching the top. He was able to get there much faster than we could have imagined, but he did it all by himself.
He should look in the mirror, and say "Well done." Wow! To go to Arsenal and play for England for 50m is everyone's dream.
Peterborough lost out by one point on the play-offs, despite winning five of their eight previous games. Fry wanted to bring Poole-born White home to London Road but was told that a move to Leeds was already in place.
He arrived as a new signing, hoping to play an important role in the Elland Road club’s promotion push.
White was taken to the Under-23s' dressing room, where he remained until the day before the Championship season began. Marcelo Bielsa, White's manager, was testing him.
Barry Douglas, a former left-back, recalls that Marcelo's philosophy on how to integrate into a new team helped him overcome some mental obstacles.
"He almost had the nerve to earn his right into the first-team dressing rooms."
He just took it all in stride and didn't fuss about it. Ben displayed a lot humility, as it would have been easy to expect to be able to dance your way into a Premier League club. He was brilliant in his response."
White had to replace Pontus Jansson who was a formidable defender and an influential figure at Leeds. White did it with ease. He didn't miss a minute as Bielsa's team won the title and returned to the top flight, after a 16 year absence.
White impressed in the ground last season when he played for Brighton in his Premier League debut.
Douglas says: "There was a lot to expect because Pontus was an excellent player and a big personality - the fans loved them. It was a sign of Ben's maturity to not let it faze his mind. He was like a duck to water and he took to it. He had a great season. I can't believe anyone could have predicted that. He deserves all the credit.
Leeds' willingness to sign White permanently was an indication of how well he fit in the new environment and club's play style. Bielsa's vision of a singular club was what he had in mind. He encouraged a tireless work-rate, courage in possession, and played out from the back.
Douglas says that Marcelo's demands on him ultimately make you a better player and person. Douglas felt that there was no better place to complete his year of education and do as well as him. Marcelo loved Marcelo's character and attributes. It was an ideal match.
White refused several offers and stayed at Brighton where he had a great first season in Premier League.
After winning his first England cap against Austria, he was awarded international recognition and made it to the Euro 2020 squad when Trent Alexander-Arnold was injured.
White was not able to play in England's run to final but Gareth Southgate praised him for his positive attitude.
Arsenal called once the tournament was over, marking the next stage in the 23-year old's upward climb.
Each of White's loans was a success. White is soft spoken and considered. He made many friends in his Football League formative years. They have kept in touch. They are thrilled with his achievements and confident that he won't settle for less than he has.
O'Brien, an Irishman, says that he always tells O'Brien how proud he is. "I knew that he would do incredible things, and I was right," O'Brien said.
"With his attitude and level-headedness, Ben allows his football to speak for itself. He's going to keep getting better. He could be England's captain in the years ahead, I think."
