The former coach of the Wild Boars Thai cave survivors said today he was heartbroken today following the death of captain Dom at an academy in the UK.

Nopparat Kanthawong, 41, said he was 'shocked and very sad' to hear that Duangphet Phromthep, 17, had died on Tuesday following an apparent accident in his dorm at the Brooke House College football academy in Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

Duangphet, also known as Dom, was one of the 13 survivors from the Wild Boars team who were trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non Cave in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, in 2018. They were coached by life-long football fan Nopparat.

Speaking today in the video near his home in Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, Nopparat said: 'Dom was a good boy, ever since he was little. He had a dream, determination, and intention to become a professional footballer and play for the national team, to represent his country.

'I always sensed his determination and intention. He was very friendly and was greatly loved by his seniors and juniors in the team.

'When he received the scholarship, he sent me a message. He told me that he qualified for a scholarship from the Zico Foundation to study and practice football in England. He also said goodbye to me before he left.

'When I found out he had died, I was shocked and very sad, heartbroken. I was not prepared because he was young and I felt that he had a very long and far path in football. I am very shocked as the news was so sudden.

'The other boys gradually received the news and expressed their condolences online. Those who were far away called me to confirm it had actually happened. They were in disbelief.'

Duangphet was the former captain of the Wild Boars football team in Thailand. The group were rescued from the Tham Luang Cave in June 2018, following an intense mission that gripped the world.

Duangphet received a scholarship from the Sport Education Project and the Zico Foundation by Thai football legend Kiatisuk 'Zico' Senamuang.

VIDEO TRANSLATION SUBTITLES

0.02 - 0.06: Please tell me about Dom's personality.

0.06 - 0.17 A: He was a good boy, ever since he was little. He had a dream, determination, and intention to become a professional footballer and play for the national team, to represent his country.

0.19 - 0.23 Q: How was he when he was with your team?

0.23 - 0.37 A: I always sensed his determination and intention. He was very friendly and was greatly loved by his seniors and juniors in the team.

0.40 - 0.47 Q: Did he tell you when he got a scholarship?

0.47 -1.06 A: When he received the scholarship, he sent me a message. He told me that he qualified for a scholarship from the Zico Foundation to study and practice football in England. He also said goodbye to me before he left.

1.08 - 1.12 Q: How did you feel after receiving the news?

1.12 - 1.36 A: I am feeling shocked and very sad, heartbroken. I was not prepared because he was young and I felt that he had a very long and far path in football. I am very shocked as the news was so sudden.

1.37 - 1.41 Q: How about his former teammates?

1.41 - 1.58 A: They gradually received the news and expressed their condolences online. Those who were far away called me to confirm it had actually happened. They were in disbelief.