I had offers to stay in As but missed English footba

ZESH REHMAN has swapped the Far East for a survival scrap with Gillingham.

But Rehman – who is fluent in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Malaysian, Thai and French – is not your average footballer, happy to settle for an easy life.

The Gills defender made history by becoming the first British Asian to start a Premier League match 13 years ago.

And Birmingham-born Rehman has been trail-blazing ever since.

The 33-year-old said: “My career has always attracted a bit of attention as I haven’t gone down the so-called normal route.

“Becoming the first British Asian to play in the Premier League with Fulham was something special. Then going from ® representing England at youth level to playing for Pakistan, then setting up my own foundation and launching my own mobile app attracted a lot of attention.

“It’s not about being different. It’s about wanting to inspire people in a positive way.”

So, after six years in Asia, what made Rehman return to a struggling League One club until the end of the season?

Horizons

“I had offers to stay and financially I would have been better off. But I missed English football,” he said. “Everywhere I went in Asia I would see matches on TV. “I knew I wanted to get back to that but I’ve loved every minute abroad. “It broadened my horizons, opened my mind and made me grow as a person. “I wouldn’t have changed that for the world. But ultimately the pull of home proved too strong.” Rehman quit Bradford in 2011 to start a new life and had spells in Thailand, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Being part of a cultural melting pot was nothing new and Rehman said: “My dad Khalid supported Aston Villa during the 1970s. “He was probably the only Asian at Villa Park but his love of football filtered to me. “A lot of boys of my age where I lived and grew up played cricket but I only ever wanted to be a footballer. “I remember as a 10-year-old being told I have no chance because of my background. “But I’m still earning a good living out of the game today doing something right.”

During his time in the eas who was managed by Robbi Muangthong United in launched the mobile phone translates popular phras different languages.

He said: “It was intended excuses about players struggl the language barrier.

“More English players sh abroad. It takes you ou comfort zone. I’ve played 100,000 fans, won trop experienced things you w come close to over here.”

Given that Asians are minority community in Brita woefully represented at the t English football.

Scouted

Aston Villa’s Wales def Taylor and Wolves skipper D are the most high-profile Rehman added: “The number

“But if you are good enoug matter what culture, b religion or beliefs you have.

“I don’t think we will see an playing at the highest level few years.

“Perhaps the youngsters s playing in the Asian-only lea they might be scouted more.”

Rehman’s current priority Gillingham beat the drop a extended stay at the Kent clu

He added: “There is more this league than when I left.

“But after a couple of game the same old bumps and brui so not that much has change

“The club have been at the most of the season but hop get stuck in and help keep us then lead to bigger things.”