IT'S a soundtrack that is instantly recognisable as the backdrop to one of world football's most prestigious competitions, packed with the game's top talents.

As the teams line-up ahead of kick off, the familiar strains of the classical anthem ramp up the atmosphere, leading to the iconic crescendo of 'the champions'.

The UEFA Champions League music ahead of the glamour continental tournament is synonymous with European football's top prize and prestigious clubs - and will forever be a moment to remember for Pars new boy, Malachi Fagan-Walcott.

The 21-year-old, who is with the club on loan until the end of the season from Cardiff City, began his career with Tottenham Hotspur, for whom he made his debut in 2020.

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Not only was he given his bow by José Mourinho, the self-titled 'Special One' who Fagan-Walcott described as "amazing", but he shared a training pitch and dressing room with a raft of star names.

England captain, and current Bayern Munich forward, Harry Kane, Delle Alli, Serge Aurier, Eric Dier and Tanguy Ndombele were just some of those that he noted, as well as the likes of Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld.

They are experiences that have helped shape Fagan-Walcott into the player he is now, and to look back on with pride, with his first senior Spurs appearance, as a late substitute in a round 16 second leg tie with RB Leipzig, a particular highlight.

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"The one moment that stands out is when we went in after the warm-up, you run through the tunnel, and you hear the Champions League song and there's thousands of thousands of people in there," he reflected.

"I honestly thought I was dreaming when I was running out. I was thinking what is this? That always stays with me. No matter who asks me the question, I'll tell them the same thing. It's always that one moment.

"It wasn't even coming on the pitch for my debut. It was that moment when I heard the music. As a kid when you're watching it, you hear that, you see them line up, and you hear the song and the camera go to all their faces. It felt surreal.

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"Me and my brother would go to every single home one (Champions League games). European nights are always the best, so I went to all of them. You go to the away ones when we were in the UEFA Youth League, so you'd play against the younger team and go to the games. I went to Inter Milan away and that stadium was crazy. That must've been the year before, and never did I think, a year later, I would've been coming on.

"Still, to this day, it's unbelievable."

In addition to the thrill of sharing a pitch on such a stage with some of the star names in that Spurs side, Fagan-Walcott explained that training with them was an eye-opener - and that they were happy to pass on their experience and know-how.

"It's always a learning curve when you're training with them. It's exciting, but when I was there, I would always ask things," he continued.

"I was quite close with Son (Heung-min) because, every day in training, whenever we'd do shape, he'd be attacking against me. To this day, if he sees this, he'll say that I tell him that I'm better than him!

"Every time in training we'd talk. As the coach and gaffer is going along, we'd talk, and I'd just ask him what do you find easy? Then I'll say what do you find hard, who's the hardest defender you've played against, and things like that.

"Also, players like Eric Dier helped out. When we were doing defensive clinics and things, he'd help. (Christian) Eriksen was a big help as well when he was there. He welcomed all the youngsters; he was always welcoming. Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld - they were all big helps.

"None of them were stuck up or just didn't want to talk to you. They would always help and, if you did something wrong, they'd say keep your head up - that might not be the pass, we'll talk to you after.

"I've had conversations sitting in the boot room after training with players for about half an hour, 45 minutes, just talking. You'd think they'd just want to go home, but they're all pretty nice and will help you out as an older, senior player.

"Another person who really helped me was Ledley King (former Tottenham captain, coach and current club ambassador). When I was up there (with the first team) with Jose, Ledley was part of the staff there, and he would do stuff after training as well. He really helped me as a player as well when I was younger."

Almost four months prior to Fagan-Walcott's Spurs debut, popular manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was sacked and replaced by Mourinho.

The record of the Portuguese includes five European trophies, two of them in the Champions League, three English Premier League titles, and a La Liga success with Real Madrid. He is one of the game's most decorated bosses.

After impressing Mourinho playing in youth team games, Fagan-Walcott found himself becoming a 'chosen one' to move up and work with the first team.

"He was good, amazing. Still to this day he'd probably be the best I've worked with," the defender said.

"He was so welcoming. He would do something where he would watch the games himself, so he would come down to the Youth League games, and he'd choose someone where he thought 'I really like this guy, I'll bring him up and train with us'.

"You'd feel like you'd earned it. You didn't feel like you'd just been told to go and train, you felt like you'd earned it because, if he didn't come and watch, or if he didn't know who you were, you wouldn't train out there.

"He obviously saw you and he was like, yeah, I want him up there. You would go up there and, if you impressed, you'd stay up there. Even if they had too many numbers, you would still train with a different first team coach.

"It gives you a boost as well. You've seen what he's done over the years, and he's chosen you, so you don't doubt yourself. You must be good at something. With other managers, they might just need another centre half, so you go up there and train, and he doesn't really value you.

"But, with Jose, it's Jose Mourinho, he's picked you, so I feel like I should be up there, and then you train better within yourself. It does help."

Fagan-Walcott added: "Even when I go home, I've got the shirts. They're all hung up and it's always a proud feeling.

"No matter what happens, I can always look back, and I always watch it back as well. It's always a proud feeling for me and my family."