Dunedin football protege Xuan Loke, 10, in action using a DIY Footbonaut built by his dad, Swee Kin Loke.

A doting dad has adapted a space age football trainer for use in his garage.

Meet Swee Kin Loke.

The Dunedin man has come up with his own version of the million dollar Footbonaut, a high-tech training aid used by top German club Borussia Dortmund.

25112015. Photo: Supplied Dunedin soccer whiz kid Xuan Loke, 10, is in London at West Ham United's acadamy for two weeks.

And the cost of his DIY version?

About $36.

The education technologist said he adapted the training aid by using a few remote controlled power sockets and LED lights.

"I did attempt to replicate closely the thinking process that a footballer needs in my rudimentary set up."

The idea behind the device was that budding football players would scan for the lights, activated by another person holding a remote control.

The player would then pass in that direction, developing their response times.

And that $36 investment is starting to look like a sound one.

His son, Xuan Loke, 10, is in London at West Ham United's academy for two weeks.

Loke said he could not credit his son's footballing prowess with the Footbonaut as he had only used it twice, but that was before a trial to be selected for the academy.

"It may have played some part . . . who knows."

Watch this space.