Everton academy boss Ray Hall has hopes Everton can become the first Premier League club to have a full time Thai player. Hall is currently in Thailand, where the club have an academy, with a delegation of Blues officials aiming to strengthen links with the country and sponsors Chang.

"Each year we take a selection of players and do some work with them," he told evertonTV.

"Just as there are Korean and Chinese players who have been playing in the Premier League, we'd like to be the first club to play a Thai player.

"That's the long-term goal. I'm sure it is just a matter of time."