Reading defender Anton Ferdinand has admitted that he almost moved to Thailand last year before eventually settling on a deal with the Championship side.

Ferdinand is in Thailand with the Royals on a pre-season tour which includes a match against a select Thai All-Star XI at the National Stadium in Bangkok, where the likes of Pele and Maradona once featured.

The 30 year old has spent the last two seasons in Turkey, and revealed that he was close to moving to the South-East Asian country before he signed with Reading.

"It's good to be back in Thailand, I nearly moved here last year but I ended up signing for a great club in Reading" Ferdinand told Reading's official website.

"To play in a Stadium which has hosted those names, it's an honour. I'm looking forward to seeing fans come out for the game.

"I know what the culture is like here for that, so for some of our young boys to see how fanatic the supporters are will be good for them."