Dutchman Michael van Gerwen is world-renowned name on the PDC World Darts Championship tour.

The 27-year-old is the current World Champion and second most successful player in the history of the sport, behind Phil 'The Power' Taylor.

But van Gerwen does not limit his life to the darts world and says he has plenty of friends in football.

“I text footballers and not darts players," he told the Daily Mail.

“What footballers do I know? A few.

“Robin van Persie. I know him very well. RVP is not too bad.

“Ron Vlaar... it doesn't matter who I know."

Van Gerwen was recently paraded in front of PSV Eindhoven's home crowd having return to Holland to a heroes welcome such is his profile in his homeland.