>>Thailand striker Teerasil Dangda could make his La Liga debut for Almeria today.
Teerasil Dangda.
The 26-year-old is on season-long loan from Thai Premier League side SCG Muang Thong United.
Almeria host Espanyol in their season opener, and Teerasil is expected to start on the bench but could feature at some stages.
Teerasil hopes he has a bright future in Spain but knows that it could be difficult for him on and off the pitch.
"I'm still getting used to the city, culture and Spanish life, because it is very different to where I come from. Almeria is a very peaceful city and I was surprised at the generosity of the people when I arrived,'' he said recently.
"I'm very happy and my teammates have helped me a lot with the language.''
Teerasil also said that he was very "happy to play in the best league in the world."
He said: "The Spanish league has great players. I look up to Cristiano Ronaldo [of Real Madrid] and Lionel Messi [of Barcelona]. I'm really excited about playing against Barcelona and Real Madrid."
Teerasil arrived in Almeria in July and returned to Thailand for a friendly against his parent club Muang Thong last month.
"We are very happy to have Teerasil in our team. But Teerasil and the team still have many things to improve,'' Almeria coach Francisco Rodriguez said at the time.
Muang Thong president Phongsak Pholanan said the club was proud to see Teerasil join a Spanish club.
"We hope Teerasil can help promote Thai football in Europe,'' he said.
Unfortunately for Muang Thong, the Kirins have suffered a slump in form since Teerasil's departure.
Muang Thong were TPL leaders before Teerasil left for Spain but are now third, seven points behind pacesetters Buriram United.
Teerasil trained with Spanish champions Atletico Madrid last year.
He was on English club Manchester City's books a few years ago when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra owned the team.
But the striker did not get a chance to play for the Premier League champions and soon returned to Thailand.