MARTIAL Godo credited a loan spell with Wigan Athletic for kick-starting his senior professional career after he made his Premier League debut for Fulham in the Cottagers’ 0-0 draw against Southampton at Craven Cottage on Sunday.
Godo, 21, replaced Tom Cairney in the 76th minute as Marco Silva’s side were frustrated by basement club Saints, who had interim boss Simon Rusk in charge and their new boss Ivan Juric watching from the press seats.
Godo was playing for Margate in the Isthmian League – the sixth tier – before he joined Fulham in March 2022.
Godo spent last season on loan in League One where he scored four goals in 34 games for the Latics.
He reflected on how far he had come after the stalemate with Saints.
“Only two-and-a-half years ago, I was playing non-league football for Margate before joining the Fulham Academy,” Godo said. “That was obviously great for me, because I was still in my comfort zone, still growing and learning, having never been in the academy system before.
“I then spent a year on loan at Wigan, and that’s really where it kicked off for me.
“It was lovely up there, I met some really great people, who really helped me on the way.
“After coming back to Fulham, I’m now in the Premier League, with a great team and with great staff around me, and hopefully there’s many more years ahead.”
Godo was close to joining Millwall on loan on transfer deadline day in the summer. He signed a new four-year deal in early September.
He said at the time: “My loan at Wigan went very well considering it was my first senior professional season. It allowed me to grow, learn and adapt so much both on and off the pitch, which helped me better myself in my development as a professional.”
Silva’s side travel to Chelsea on Boxing Day before hosting AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
