Uzbekistan’s Server Djeparov, who received the award at a gala dinner in Shanghai, China on Tuesday, has the option to come to Cobham to train for one month as part of his award resulting from the partnership between the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Chelsea.

The 26-year-old attacking midfielder from the Kuruvchi/Bunyodkor club based in the capital Tashkent of the former Soviet Republic in Central Asia is now managed by the former Brazil star Zico and can count another Brazilian, Rivaldo, as a team-mate.

The Chelsea/AFC partnership, the first of its kind between a major global confederation and a top European club, has as its aim the promotion and development of Asian football.

The training offer is subject to the agreement of the players’ club, the player himself and calendar commitments.

The AFC Young Player of the Year, Ahmed Kalil Al Junaibi of the United Arab Emirates, also has the same opportunity to train at Cobham.

The 17- year-old centre forward plays for the Al Ahli club in Dubai.

Chelsea was represented at the awards by Communications and Public Affairs director Simon Greenberg. He said: "Subject to getting all the necessary permissions and the players wanting to come, we would be delighted to welcome Server and Ahmed at Cobham. Our agreement with the AFC is proof of our commitment to help develop football in Asia and this invitation can only increase the exposure to the world of the quality in Asian football."

Chelsea has been building solid relationships in the region for several years. The club is an official partner of the AFC’s Vision China grass roots development project and visited China for the first time last summer on the pre-season tour.

The first team squad led by Luiz Felipe Scolari also visited the AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam at his headquarters in Kuala Lumpur during the tour.