After impressing Aitor Karanka during pre-season last year, Dael Fry was put into the Middlesbrough starting eleven for the Teesside club's opening fixture versus Preston North End.
The, then, seventeen year old Fry kept a clean sheet in that match and went on to play another seven times for Boro in the promotion winnning season, mostly filling in for either Ben Gibson or Daniel Ayala when one picked up an injury.
The Middlesbrough-born centre half, however, would have struggled for game time in the Premier League, as the hierarchy on Teesside strengthened that position by bringing in Bernardo Espinosa and Calum Chambers on loan from Arsenal.
"I needed to get experience and I want to make the most of the opportunity."
Fry was given an opportunity to go out on loan, and gain some first team experience at Rotherham United, and he says he was 'delighted' that the Millers gave him that chance.
"My mind was made up after talking to Alan Stubbs (Rotherham manager)," he told the Football League Paper. "I can always go ask him for advice on certain things."
Dael Fry explained that the former Everton defender has helped him understand where he could improve his game. Fry also said that he also works hard on the training pitch in order to better himself.
"To be the best you've got to put the hours in," said Fry, who has made five appearences for Rotherham this season "Since I first came to Boro as a youngster, I’d always start training an hour early and, when everyone went in to have their dinner, I was still out there."
"Being with England, you’re playing with the best talent at your age in the country."
Dael Fry says he has carried that attitude into his life at Rotherham, and that has earnt him a call up to England's Under 20 set up. Fry has represented England at under 17 through 20 level.
Fry still, however, is proud to pull on the shirt, "Every age group gets harder and takes a bit more to get used to. The game gets quicker and it’s a great challenge... and there’s a World Cup to look forward to in the summer."
The current Rotherham loanee also has experience in Europe, having captained Middlesbrough's Under 19 side in the UEFA Youth League last season. But Fry is only focussed on returning to Boro as an improved player.
"I'll learn from this experience - I will definitely go back to Boro as a better player."