Big Money Paid for Teenager Who Says He is Leaving MLS To Learn
This is the highest amount ever recorded for an MLS player. Alphonso Davies turns 18 on November 2 and leaves #VWFC for Germany.
Canada’s teenage forward Alphonso Davies life is about to change. FC Bayern Munich has agreed to sign Vancouver Whitecaps’ Davies for a fixed transfer fee and additional compensation that could total more than $22 million, the most ever received by an MLS club in the league’s 23-year history.
When asked what he is most looking forward to leaving Vancouver Whitecaps and joining the famed FC Bayern Munich?
“I can learn a lot from the team, as a young guy, I can really learn a lot,” said Alphonso Davies.
Davies, like Ameria’s Christian Pulisic who plays for Germany’s Borussia Dortmund, seeks to improve his game by playing in Germany.
“At 17, he is the face of Canadian soccer – conceivably the most gifted soccer player to have come out of the MLS.”
This is from the Alphonso Davies: From refugee camp to Bayern Munich write up on the Bundesliga site.
Davies, who does not speak a lot of German, is excited to join the Bundesliga powerhouse. Davies joined the Vancouver Academy Residency program when he was only 14-years-old and quickly developed, playing on both the U16 and U18 squads. Davies also selected to participate in the 2018 MLS All-Star game.
A long way from his birth home, his story began in a Ghanaian refugee camp, where Davies was born after his parents had fled the civil war in Liberia. Now he is the most celebrated youth in the game.
Davies is leaving Vancouver after his one last brilliant performance, earning the goals for the Whitecaps’ 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers on Decisions Day, October 28th. The crowd cheered for Davies
The Munich based club which prides itself on “Being Number One” will have Davies join the team immediately. Davies contract is scheduled to extend to June 2023.
“As a kid, I always dreamed of a moment like this,” said Davies. “Now that the dream has come true, the work continues.”
Will the teenage Canadian successfully compete with his new world-class teammates for minutes? Only time will tell but with the record fee paid, it is clear the club will want to get their money’s worth.
“This is a landmark transfer for our club, country, and the league,” Whitecaps co-owner Jeff Mallett said. “Our ownership group is committed to investing 100 percent of the funds back into the sporting side of the club.”
Davies has represented Canada at U17 and U20 level and debuted for the Senior team against Curaçao on 14 June 2017.
Still a youth, Davies recently was selected to participate in the MLS All-Star Game.
The highest payment before Davies? U.S. Men’s National Team player Jozy Altidore held that MLS transfer record with his move from the New York Red Bulls to La Liga’s Villarreal for a reported $10 million in 2008
Will Davies become a super soccer star? Training with the club that Forever is Number One should only help.
