Caelan Avenell has been an important member of Neil MacFarlane's squad, featuring in a number of games prior to the completion of his trial.

Now he has signed for the club, the player believes that his story can help trialists take inspiration from a relatable experience as they enter into new surroundings.

Being a trialist at a club, no matter the level, can be one of the most difficult and daunting situations to navigate as a professional footballer.

Entering a completely new environment, new players to bond with, new coaches to impress. It is a situation you can never really prepare for.

Once a player does go through that process, the end goal is always to sign for the club that has given you a trial and if you do, the overriding emotion is relief.

Caelan Avenell spent five weeks on trial, playing with Brentford Under-21s. The defender expands on the pressure there is when on trial at a football club.

“It is something that is difficult to explain because every single day is different. You cannot really prepare for what is about to happen because it is an unknown,” says Avenell.

“I can only get myself ready both physically and mentally; I only have myself to blame if I do not give my absolute best.”

Avenell is a product of Fulham’s academy, playing there from the under-9s all the way to the under-21s.

“I am so grateful for my time at Fulham. That period in my life taught me so much and I ultimately think it helped me to do well in my trial at Brentford,” Avenell explains.

“Being in the academy system, I am used to the pressure of having to prove myself day in and day out.

"I have a strong work ethic and a desire to be the best at whatever I put my mind to.”

The trialist experience can be tough for a multitude of reasons but for some players especially, it is not knowing anyone prior that can prove to be a challenge.

“Coming into Brentford for my trial initially, I did not know anyone, so I was walking into an environment where there would be fresh opinions of me as a person and also my ability,” says Avenell.

“I think as footballers it is a very natural response to see how good a new player is, so for me it was always about showing what I could do on the pitch but also being a good person for people to be around.”

For trialists like Avenell, the journey is as much about the ability to be mentally strong as it is about how good you are on the football pitch.

As you walk into a squad as someone who people do not know a lot about, with everything to prove, it is something that a player will always look back on and draw a lot of experience from as they progress in their careers.

Avenell’s experience from trialist to a signed player highlights the reward in fully immersing yourself despite there being no guarantees.

Now he is signed, his story is one that could be a source of inspiration to many who attempt to navigate the experience of being a trialist.