Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock said that the Bees' tour of the US is a 'surreal' experience - especially considering he was playing in the seventh tier of English football just seven years ago.

Pinnock signed for the club from League One side Barnsley in 2019, having previously played for Forest Green Rovers in the National League and Dulwich Hamlet in the Isthmian League Premier Division, and has made 62 Premier League appearances over the last two seasons.

And the centre-back, who spoke with the media ahead of Brentford's opening Summer Series game against Fulham in Philadelphia, has loved his first week across the pond.

“From the first few years when I first got into a professional set-up, the environment, compared to the stadiums that we’re going to visit here, it is a bit surreal," Pinnock began.

“Going into our third year [in the Premier League], we're kind of into the groove of things, but the set-up here has been amazing. 

“It’s the first time a lot of us have been out in the States, even to visit, so for many of the boys it's all new. 

“The facilities at the high schools are fantastic - they've got baseball, basketball, NFL, athletics tracks.

“It‘s been really enjoyable and we're really bonding on this trip, especially with the new players. Nathan [Collins] and Mark [Flekken] have settled in really well."

He added: "We managed to get to the baseball game last night, the Washington Nationals, they got a good win.

"It was a great experience for us with popcorn in the stands there and experiencing the more commercialised side of it, with the music when the players would walk out. It's a lot different to what we experience in football!” 

With Thomas Frank's side preparing to play Fulham, Aston Villa and Brighton and Hove Albion in the US, Pinnock believes the tour is a good test for the club to push on again next term.

He said: "Every season we look at ways in which we can improve - we've done that over the four years since I've been here. Each year, we've taken another step. 

“The first year we got to the play-off final; second year, getting promoted; then last year finishing higher than the previous season. 

“It's always good to look forward and see what's in front of you rather than behind. We've got to look forward and push for the maximum.”