Tyrese Dolan: Espanyol striker on an “incredible” journey.

This support extends to the friendship that continues to shape him.

Dolan grew up alongside Jeremy Westin – his teammate and best friend since his academic years.

“He was the best guy you could meet and we did everything together,” Dolan says.

“I knew how important football was to him and what it did to his soul. He lived and breathed football.”

Wisten and Dolan were looking for a scholarship at the same time, but Wisten struggled with injuries and was released by Manchester City.

“It was a crucial time and I needed to play consistently,” Dolan says.

“Jeremy knew himself at Manchester City that he would not get a scholarship but then he struggled.”

Westin was 18 when he took his own life at his family home in 2020 — less than two years after he was let go.

“I think he was facing the world knowing he didn’t have the badge of a footballer on him,” says Dolan.

“When you’re younger, people don’t mention your name. They say, ‘Oh, there’s the football player Tyrese’ or ‘There’s the football player Jeremy.’ You’re not just a human being, you’re a player.

“And once you strip that away, you think ‘Well, if I’m not that, then who am I?’

“It must have been very difficult for him because I know a lot of people around him were doing really well in terms of football, getting scholarships, getting professional contracts, making their debuts – and I’m one of them.

“It’s hard to see when someone is hurting so much and you get the thing they want. It was the most heartbreaking moment of my life.”

In honor of Wisten, Dolan wears the number 24 at Espanyol. When he found out that it was one of only two numbers available in the band, he felt it was more than a coincidence because it was the date of his best friend’s death.

“He’s with me,” Dolan says. “He achieved his dream. He achieved it because he is on the field just like me.”

Westin’s death led to Dolan becoming an ambassador for the Go Again charity, which supports young footballers dealing with the emotional impact of being released from academies.

Having lived that experience, he wants to offer reassurance and perspective.

“What are a few minutes of my day?” He says. “It could last a lifetime for them.”