Tuesday 2nd February 2016
KLER HEH’S story is an incredible one.
It begins with him being born and raised in a refugee camp in Thailand. It is currently stopped with him playing four minutes of first-team football for Dumbarton.
And the winger hopes there are many more chapters for him to write at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium before he goes back to Sheffield United.
The winger, born in Thailand but opting to play for Myanmar at international level, was announced as Sons’ latest loan signing last week.
He will live in Scotland during his time with Dumbarton, but there was a time when life was completely different.
Kler came to the UK aged 10, having grown up in the refugee camp for the Karen, a minority group facing oppression in Myanmar. He and his family were resettled in Sheffield.
He said: “Growing up in a refugee camp is a completely different world to what life is like here. It is nothing like it at all.
“But I feel I am settled now in the United Kingdom. Sheffield United took me on when I was 14 so I have been there about five years.
“I think my contract expires at the end of the season, so I will need to see what happens. I feel I can push Dumbarton up in attack and hopefully I can do that.
“I am pleased to be coming to Dumbarton. I think I can get some experience here and go back to Sheffield United a stronger player if I can keep playing.”
Kler had the chance of a debut goal only two minutes after replacing fellow loanee Tom Walsh in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Livingston.
His shot from outside the area missed the target, but he hopes more opportunities will come along.
And with Scottish football previously an unknown quantity to him, he’s now looking forward to facing one of the country’s top teams this weekend, as Dundee visit G82 in the Scottish Cup on Saturday.
Kler added: “I was excited when I found out about the move. I tried to get as fit as I could before I came here and I hope I can get the game time I need.
“The weather was quite windy on Saturday but it was good how the players carried on, and I think we deserved the result.
“It would have been good if I had put the chance away when I got it. Maybe the better option would have been to take it round the keeper.
“I didn’t know anything about Scottish football before I came to Dumbarton, but I know it will be a good experience and another challenge for me.
“I am looking forward to facing Dundee next week as they are a team in the top division and that will be good for us.”
Andy Galloway