Vancouver Whitecaps FC transfer Alphonso Davies to Bayern Munich

TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Transfer

In the biggest transfer in MLS history, Vancouver Whitecaps FC have reached an agreement with Bayern Munich that will see Homegrown winger Alphonso Davies move to the German giants at the end of the 2018 season. 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. He is signed through 2023. The Athletic was first to report the links between the winger and Bayern last week.

“As a kid, I always dreamed of a moment like this,” said Davies in a statement. “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 under head coach Carl Robinson, 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. His 85 dribbles completed and 173 duels won lead MLS this season (per Opta), while his eight assists are tied for the seventh-most. 

“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.”

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.