VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC have reached a record-breaking transfer agreement with FC Bayern Munich for Homegrown midfielder Alphonso Davies, the club announced today. The move involves a fixed transfer fee and additional compensation that could total more than $22 million US, the most ever received by an MLS club in the league’s 23-year history.
Davies, a product of the Whitecaps FC development system who will turn 18 years old on November 2, will finish the 2018 MLS season with Whitecaps FC before making the move to one of the most storied clubs in football. He will be eligible to play for Bayern Munich when the international transfer window reopens in January 2019.
Davies and the 'Caps have seven home matches left in the 2018 MLS regular season, beginning with Saturday’s fixture against Minnesota United FC. Kickoff at BC Place is at 7 p.m. PT. Visit whitecapsfc.com for tickets.
WFC Homegrown Midfielder Alphonso Davies
- Joined Whitecaps FC Residency program on August 15, 2015 at the age of 14
- Has scored three goals and eight assists in 20 appearances this year with Whitecaps FC
- His eight assists this season lead the club and rank in the top 10 league-wide
- Leads MLS with 85 completed dribbles this season, already the fourth-most in a season since Opta started tracking the statistic in 2010, and is on pace to break the MLS record of 114
- Named to the 2018 MLS All-Star Team as a Commissioner's Pick
“This is a landmark transfer for our club, country, and league,” said Whitecaps FC co-owner Jeff Mallett. “Youth development is a core part of our club. We provide player development opportunities across Canada through regional camps, tournaments, our national academy centres and Residency program. We are proud to be developing players for our club and Canadian national teams at all ages. Alphonso is an inspirational example of what is possible, and we are excited about how this transfer showcases our commitment to homegrown players for our club and country.
“Of course, the big question on everyone’s mind is what this means for the Whitecaps. Our ownership group is committed to investing 100 per cent of the funds back into the sporting side of the club.”
“Our entire team, from our youth coaches right through to our first-team coaches and support staff, have worked collaboratively for the past few years to nurture Alphonso’s exceptional talent,” added Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. “Alphonso is very special to us. We’re happy to have him for the rest of this season and excited to see him take on this new challenge next year.”
“As a kid, I always dreamed of a moment like this,” said Davies. “Now that the dream has come true, the work continues as always. I have to keep pushing and keep striving, and also keep being me on the field. Ever since I joined the ‘Caps when I was 14, they molded me throughout the years into the pro that I’ve become. Thanks to the fans for supporting me, I really enjoy playing in front of them in Vancouver.”
Davies joined the WFC Residency program on August 15, 2015, at age 14, marking the beginning of his fast ascent through the club’s ranks from the U-16 and U-18 sides, to Whitecaps FC 2 in USL, and a 2018 MLS All-Star selection within a span of three years.
Currently in his third season developing under the guidance of head coach Carl Robinson and the first-team technical staff, Davies has recorded seven goals and 11 assists in 35 starts and 68 appearances across all competitions since making his first-team debut in June 2016.
Born in the Buduburam refugee camp in Ghana and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Davies has three goals in his six appearances for the Canadian men’s national team after earning his first cap in June 2017. At the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup, Davies led all players in goals scored, capturing the tournament’s Golden Boot at the age of 16.
Davies is the youngest goalscorer in the history of Whitecaps FC, the United Soccer League, Concacaf Champions League, Concacaf Gold Cup, Canadian Championship and Canadian national team.
Prior to joining Whitecaps FC, Davies played youth soccer in Edmonton first with Free Footie, then with Edmonton Internationals, Edmonton Strikers, and St. Nicholas Soccer Academy.
Bayern Munich are the winningest club in German football history, having won a record 28 national titles and 18 national cups. They have won the UEFA Champions League five times, most recently in 2012-13, when they went on to capture the FIFA Club World Cup.
About Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC are the longest running professional soccer club in Canadian history. Since their inaugural season in 1974, the ‘Caps have won seven league titles between the North American Soccer League, Canadian Soccer League, and United Soccer League First Division, as well as a Canadian Championship as the domestic champion. In 2002, the Whitecaps created a full club model that includes an extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and community relations to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Whitecaps FC currently compete in Major League Soccer and play their home matches at BC Place.
About FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern München was founded by eleven football players in 1900. In the meantime, the professional football team has become the most successful outfit in German football history, having won a record number of 28 national championships and 18 national cups. With its five European Cup titles FC Bayern München is one of the big players in European Football. In the 2012/13 season, FC Bayern Munich became the first German team in football history to win the continental treble consisting of the Champions League, the German Bundesliga and the German domestic cup. Since the beginning of the 2005–2006 season FC Bayern München plays its home games in the Allianz Arena. The team colors are red and white.
