Patrice Evra explains reasons behind naming Park Ji-Sung as his son's godfather

Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra has explained his reasons behind naming old team-mate Park Ji-Sung as the godfather to his recently-born son.

The duo formed a close bond during the six years that they played together at Old Trafford, helping the Red Devils to win four Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Evra became a father for the fifth time in May and has frequently shared updates on the early life of baby Lilas, who is his first child with fiancée Margaux Alexandra.

The godfather of Lilas is Park, with the pair having grown close after Evra arrived in Manchester from Monaco in the January transfer window of 2006, six months after the South Korean himself joined.

The friendship was formed through living in the same area, Alderley Edge, playing each other on Pro Evolution Soccer and sitting together on the coach to matches.

Evra had hinted before the birth of Lilas that Park was set to named as his godfather, with the pair having remained close in the years since they departed Old Trafford.

He fulfilled that promise to the South Korean and has now explained that the former midfielder's character is why he entrusted him with the responsibility.

"Because I like shy people!" Evra said when asked during a United fan Q&A why he had such a close bond with Park.

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"When someone doesn't open himself up too much, that's when I go to those people.

"Ji is the godfather to my son, he's more than a friend. I spoke with him actually this morning so it just came naturally.

"He's such a humble person but he's also a funny guy. You don't see that side, because he only shows it to me. He's a real brother."

It is clear that the pair are still close, despite having not played for the same club since Park left for Queens Park Rangers in 2012.

And Park last year revealed that they still meet up and keep in contact with each other, hailing Evra as his "best friend".

"We stayed friends of course, and he came to my wedding a couple of years later," he told United's club website.

"At that time he had been in America, so it was a case of coming over for the wedding in Korea and then heading almost straight back to France.

"He stayed one day, and that is a long way for a day trip! He also came over to Korea a few times for private events I had, so I really appreciated that.

"Sometimes these days we meet up for lunch or dinner in London or whenever we are in the same place.

"We speak on the phone or text each other and we carry on our strong relationship wherever we are. Finding him has been one of the great pleasures of my life.

"Patrice was a great team-mate, but honestly it's more than that; I think he is my best friend in my whole life."