A SCHOOLBOY has received a shock visit from his favourite footballer after he impressed the player with his writing skills.

Middlesbrough footballer Marten de Roon surprised ten-year-old Henry Baines, of William Cassidi Primary School, Stillington, near Stockton, Teesside, with a visit to his home, bringing along a signed football shirt for him.

The player posted a video online of him arriving at Henry's home.

In it he says: "The other day I got a letter from Henry.

The Northern Echo:

"He told me I was his idol and told me a few nice things.

"So, as a surprise, I am going to go to his home and give him a shirt from Middlesbrough with my name on the back.

"Hopefully, he will enjoy it and be really surprised."

The school had asked Year Five pupils to write letters to someone who inspired them, and the Boro midfielder was so impressed with the vocabulary used by Henry, that he decided to pay him a visit.

Chris Baines, Henry’s dad, said the Dutch footballer had to ask his wife what some of the words in the letter meant, despite his growing understanding of the English language.

“Marten stayed for an hour and was brilliant.

“He was a very impressive and a wonderful ambassador to Middlesbrough Football Club,” he said.