Teerasil Dangda

Teerasil Dangda (ธีรศิลป์ แดงดา, ; born 6 June 1988) is a Thai professional footballer who plays as a striker for Thai League club BG Pathum United and the Thailand national team.

Ten days later he scored in a 2–2 draw against BEC Tero Sasana, a goal which granted the title, took his tally to 24 goals and broke the previous record of Ronnachai Sayomchai in 1998 (23 goals).

Teerasil started his football career playing youth football for Assumption College Thonburi in 2003, aged 15.

In the 2004–2005 season, Teerasil joined Air Technical Training School in Thai Division 1 League In the same season he made his senior debut and scored three goals in only six matches for the club.

In 2006 Teerasil moved to Raj Pracha, being an important offensive unit for the side, being the club's topscorer (nine goals in 18 games) and also assisting in further five goals during the campaign.

In 2007 Teerasil joined fellow second divisioner Muangthong United, and was a part of the squad who was crowned champions, contributing with seven goals and six assists.

On 25 July 2007, Teerasil was taken on a trial at Manchester City (alongside Suree Sukha and Kiatprawut Saiwaeo), after Thai businessman and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra bought City earlier in the month.

After a long time waiting for their work permits, the trio signed with City on 16 November.

However, after problems with the work permit, Teerasil was loaned to one of City's new alliances, Grasshopper.

After returning to City in 2008, he was still unable to play in England, and after the takeover of Abu Dhabi United Group, the Thai trio was released on 16 October 2008.

He later said that his time at City "made him a better footballer", despite not appearing with the first-team.

Teerasil was loaned to Grasshopper alongside Suree in November, but both failed to make a first-team appearance, only appearing with the reserves in 1. Liga Classic.

He scored twice in six matches for the reserve squad and returned to City in June 2008.

Soon after being released by City, Teerasil returned to his homeland and re-joined Raj Pracha for the remainder of the season.

He contributed with six goals in only eight games, helping the club to achieve a mid-table position during the campaign.

In 2009 Teerasil returned to Muangthong United.

On 8 March 2009 he made his Thailand Premier League debut, in a 3–0 home win over Thai Port, and finished the season with seven goals under his belt.

Muangthong was also champions of Thailand.

In 2010, Teerasil repeated his tally of the previous season, and was a part of the squad who was crowned champions of Thailand again.

Two years later he left the club, due to the lack of a professional team (it was only founded in 2011).

In 2011 he established himself as the club's topscorer, scoring 13 goals as Muangthong finished third.

Teerasil was also invited for a trial at Queens Park Rangers in July.

In 2012, Muangthong engaged an unbeaten run which lasted the whole season, and Teerasil also scored four goals in a single match, an 8–1 routing over BBCU on 18 October.

After his impressive goal tally in the season, Teerasil was invited by La Liga sides Atlético Madrid and Getafe CF for a trial, but as the former was a Muangthong partner, he headed to Atleti in January 2013; he also attracted interest of Trabzonspor in June.

On 9 January 2013 Teerasil travelled to Spain for a two-week trial at Atlético Madrid.

He later described the Spanish football as "very quick, strong and with great quality", after completing his first training with the Madrilenians.

Teerasil also watched from the stands an Atleti win over Real Zaragoza four days later, and returned to Muangthong in February.

Teerasil's first goal of the season came from a volley on 2 March 2013 in a 2–1 success against Army United.

His second came late in the month, in a 3–0 home win over Songkhla United, and he scored again in the following weekend, against Ratchaburi.

After seven matches without scoring, Teerasil netted again on 29 May, but in a 1–3 away loss to Suphanburi.

On 23 June he netted twice against BEC Tero, and his first hat-trick of the season came on 5 October, in a 3–1 away win over Osotspa Saraburi.

Teerasil also played in the 2013 AFC Champions League group stage against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Guangzhou Evergrande, and Urawa Red Diamonds.

He finished the season with 16 goals in the league (21 overall).

Teerasil started 2014 season as a second striker, playing behind new signing Jay Bothroyd.

He scored twice in the second game of the season, a 3–0 win at TOT, and again roughly a month later in a 4–1 success at PTT Rayong.

Teerasil appeared in 18 league matches, scoring nine goals.

He played his last match for Muangthong on 2 July, starting in a 0–1 League Cup loss against Buriram United.

Teerasil sent a farewell to Muangthong fans after the match.

On 21 February 2014, Teerasil signed with Almería on a one-year loan deal, making him the first Southeast Asian and Thai footballer to play in La Liga.

He arrived at his new club on 9 June, being surrounded by supporters in the airport.