Radamel Falcao's great-grandfather was a proud Yorkshireman, and Manchester United striker's father even applied for a British passport

George King was born in Yorkshire before travelling to Colombia where he met his second wife Juliana

Radamel Falcao (Getty Images)

Radamel Falcao could have played for England had his father got his wish after he enquired whether the Colombian striker could gain a British passport due to his great-grandfather being born in Yorkshire.

Falcao is currently on-loan with Manchester United from French side Monaco, and the 28-year-old notched his first goal for the club since completing the deadline day transfer during the 2-1 victory over Everton 11 days ago.

However, he was just 13 years old when his father Radamel Falcao Snr attempted to gain a British passport for his son, only to be informed that he was one generation too far down the family tree.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Falcao Snr said: “I’m proud of my English blood.

“Falcao was probably about 13 so I went down to the embassy thinking that a British passport would help him with a move to Europe. But unfortunately it got rejected.”

Falcao’s great-grandfather, George King, was born in Yorkshire and was an accountant by trade and a keen golfer. He upped sticks in 1932 when he chose to move to Colombia to begin a new life in South America.

He began working for the United Fruit Company, but was sadly widowed when his wife died during childbirth. King would go on to remarry after meeting a Colombian woman by the name of Juliana, and the two had five children which included Falcao’s grandmother, Denis.

Falcao joined Manchester United on a season-long loan (Getty Images)

Tragically, King was murdered when the company closed down and he was charged with distributing their finances, as Denis explained.

“They gave him the money to sort out, but as he was leaving he was murdered by people who stole the money,” she revealed.