Bayern Munich completes transfer of Canadian star Alphonso Davies

VANCOUVER – Bob Lenarduzzi says the soccer phenomenon Alphonso Davies catches your attention the first time you watch him play

Lenarduzzi, the chairman of the Vancouver Whitecaps team, says Davies has the talent to justify the record deal will send the 17-year-old Major League Soccer midfielder to German Bundesliga giant Bayern Munich.

"You can hear the stadium begin to pause when it receives the ball because we expect it to leave Lenarduzzi told the media on Wednesday:

" I think he's a very rare person because he has the whole package, he has the mental structure and the ability. "

Several major football clubs Lenarduzzi said that there had a "significant difference" between the first offer and the final offer.

The interest of various clubs increased in the weeks following the acquisition of the middle He added that Bayern Munich had finally accepted a transfer agreement that, according to the Whitecaps, could represent more than US $ 22 million, most often received by an MLS club within 23 years. League history Bayern Munich has stated that the Davies contract runs until 2023.

The previous MLS transfer record was set in 2008 when Spanish club Villarreal spent $ 10 million to acquire New York Red Bulls striker Jozy Altidore

. He always dreamed of when he would sign with a world-renowned team.

"Now that the dream has come true, work continues as always," Davies, who was in Philadelphia to sign the deal before Bayern played friendly. against Juventus Wednesday night, said in a statement.

"I have to keep pushing and keep working, and continue to be me on the ground."

Known for its dazzling speed and ability to keep control Davies has pioneered a path to Vancouver's starting lineup. He has collected eight badists and three league goals this season and will be competing in the MLS all-star game in Atlanta next month.

He will be eligible for Bayern when the window of international transfers opens in January 2019 The maintenance of Davies within the team 'Caps & # 39; "Never was a stumbling block during the negotiations," said Rachel Lewis, Chief Operating Officer of the Whitecaps, who participated in the talks.

"(Bayern) were delighted to have continued playing and obviously we think it's the best thing for our club," she said. "I think they shared our vision that having it on the ground and contributing to meaningful minutes was the best thing for its development."

Bayern won a record 28 German football titles, and captured the UEFA Champions League five times. 19659005] The club's sports director, Hasan Salihamidzic, posted on his latest player on Twitter, calling Davies "huge talent".

"At only 17 years old, he has a bright future ahead of him." Davies – affectionately known by his teammates and Whitecaps' staff like Fonzie – joined the Whitecaps residency program in 2015. Because he is a "house player," said Salihamidzic, the team will retain all the transfer fees.

The money will be reinvested in the sports part of the club and the staff already have their eyes riveted on some players that they want to sign, said Lenarduzzi

.The money will go towards developing young talent.

"We have made our way through this process. Alphonso is the jewel of this. And for us, I think it's actually accelerating that side and making sure that there's another Alfonso Davies, we want to unearth him, "he said. [19659005] It's not the first time

The club acquired Owen Hargreaves of Calgary at the age of 16 in 1997. He played seven seasons with Bayern plus five others with Manchester United and Manchester City in the English Premier League Internationally, Hargreaves has qualified for England playing the 2002 and 2006 World Cup teams.

Davies has already made his mark in the men's Canadian team, having been called to play in July 2017 shortly after At the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup, the rising star became the youngest player to have scored for the Canadian team and the youngest scorer in the history of the tournament, winning the honors of the Golden Shoe and the Best Young Player Event. 659005] Earlie This year, Davies delivered a pbadionate speech on behalf of the United Bid at the FIFA World Congress in Russia before voting for the 2026 World Cup.

He described being born into a refugee camp in Ghana after his parents fled Liberian civil war. The family then immigrated to Canada and finally settled in Edmonton.

Davies told the crowd that his dream was to one day participate in the biggest soccer tournament, perhaps even in his hometown.

and the United States, people from North America have always welcomed me and, if they have the opportunity, I know that they will welcome you .

United's candidacy, featuring Canada, the United States and Mexico,

Lenarduzzi said that he had goosebumps watching Davies

C & # 39; is a handsome young man who has succeeded at every level where he has played, said the Whitecaps chairman Wednesday.

but he also has the personality and temperament to shine at this level too, "he said.

" I think the ceiling is endless. "