ALBION star Anthony Knockaert has kept the memory of his late father alive with a new tattoo across his chest.

The French winger’s father Patrick had nurtured his son’s love of football, juggling work as a lorry driver to ferry him to training and matches.

Knockaert, 25, previously told The Argus that he always dreamt of playing football and his father and the rest of his family were always behind him growing up in Roubaix, northern France.

And now tattooist Daniel Gulliver has completed a portrait for the footballer as he continues to mourn the death of his father, who died on November 3, aged 63.

The tattoo, a black and grey portrait showing Patrick Knockaert holding a cigar, took five hours to complete.

Knockaert said: “It’s all credit to my dad because he did everything for me and I’m here today because of him.

“He always believed in me and he was sure I would be playing in the Premier League. “Now he is not here to see it but I’m sure he would be proud if Albion achieves it.”

Mr Gulliver, 28, said: “I am very honoured to have been given the chance and been trusted to do this special tattoo for Anthony.

“We had been working on a sleeve together but this was really important to him and took priority, making him my first customer this year.

“Anthony sent me pictures of his father before we went with the photo that looked like it had captured a great moment in his dad’s life.”

He added: “On the day Anthony sat like a rock and when I asked him if it was painful he said that any pain was worth enduring for his dad.

“It’s always an honour to be asked to do portraits of family members and I sincerely hope that this is an indelible reminder that his father is always with him. “

When Anthony scored against Queens Park Rangers on December 27, he raced to the bench and collected a framed photograph of his father, kissing it three times and pointing to the sky.

The Albion player said: “Since I started my career I have had some ups and downs. I think I could have been playing in the Premier League for a few years now but that hasn’t happened.

“I can’t describe how much my dad loved football — he lived for it — and he came over to watch me quite often.”

Brighton boss Chris Hughton and several players travelled to France for the funeral on November 8.