Indonesian Evan Dimas checks in at Espanyol

Evan Dimas has arrived in Spain intent on soaking up the methods at Barcelona-based RCD Espanyol. Dimas is the first participant selected for LaLiga's programme to support local footballers from abroad, a project created with the aim of offering leading players from different regions the chance to hone their skills in the best possible environment.

This initiative seeks to support the development of young talents and future prospects all over the world. Dimas is the first of many footballers who will take part in the project, visiting renowned Spanish clubs to get to know how they work.

This agreement between LaLiga and the various foreign football associations involved is just the first step in what is envisaged as becoming a close collaboration bringing together a number of other projects in the future.

.@Evan_DD at the @RCDEspanyol training ground.

Nice views! pic.twitter.com/FIv18E7nG2

— LaLiga (@LaLigaEN) February 4, 2016

In Dimas's case, he will be spending time with RCD Espanyol in Barcelona, a model club when it comes to youth development, whose academy teams win trophies every season and whose Liga BBVA side is well-known for bringing through home-grown players.          

"I'm really grateful for this opportunity and delighted with how I've been welcomed. Everyone has been really nice to me," Dimas stated from Barcelona. He will be training with Espanyol B until the end of the season, although he will not be able to feature in any competitive matches.

During his first few days in the Catalan capital, Dimas visited the club's facilities and acquainted himself with the staff and his new teammates at Espanyol B, with whom he will begin training next Tuesday, 9 February.

Dimas's arrival at a LaLiga club has been a major event back home in Indonesia, leading him, LaLiga and Espanyol to trend on social media for several hours, becoming one of the biggest topics of online conversation in the country.