(MENAFN- Gulf Times) In the prison-like surroundings of a Thai refugee camp on the Myanmar border, 10-year-old Kler Heh would play soccer in bare feet with family and friends dreaming of a new life elsewhere. Anywhere.
The long list of possible locations never included the northern English city of Sheffield but the once-mighty industrial town that has struggled since the decline of its steel mills in the 1980s has become a welcome home, largely because of soccer.
After four years living in England, Kler's perseverance and hard work showed English third tier side Sheffield United the skills learnt on the enclosed Thai streets were worthy of a chance with their academy.
Now 18 and possessing a first professional contract with the four-times FA Cup winners and 1898 English champions, Kler allows himself to dream again.
"I would love to play in the Premier League one day but at present my goal is to impress (manager) Nigel Adkins and (under 21 coach) Chris Morgan, and repay Sheffield United for the faith that they have shown to me," he told Reuters.
"I want to grow as a player and I believe that I will be able to do that under Chris Morgan's guidance.
"But I am an ambitious player and I would love to and one day be the captain of either Myanmar or Thailand at an international level and as I grow play at the highest level possible the Premier League and Champions League."
Kler is a skilful winger who will play in United's under-21 side this year and push for first team opportunities with the Blades, who made the semi-finals of the League Cup last season but narrowly missed out on promotion back to the second tier.
He watched Thailand beat Myanmar in the final of the Southeast Asian Games tournament in June, but said his international chances with either are complicated by his ethnicity and lack of passport for each country.
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