Bayern Munich completed the signing of 17-year-old Canadian phenom Alphonso Davies from Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday.
The six-time defending Bundesliga champions will pay $13.5 million (€11.5 million) in a base fee for Davies, according to a source close to the deal — breaking a record for an outgoing MLS player that has stood since Jozy Altidore joined Villarreal 10 years ago.
The total compensation could reach $22 million (€18.75m) with performance-related add-ons, the Whitecaps confirmed. The source said the deal also includes a sell-on clause that will net Vancouver a percentage of a fee should Bayern transfer Davies in the future.
The Ghanaian-born Canada international will remain with the Whitecaps until the end of their season this fall, as under FIFA rules he will not be able to play for Bayern in an official game until he turns 18 in November.
“As a kid, I always dreamed of a moment like this,” said Davies, who signed a contract with Bayern until 2023. “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.”
#FCBayern are delighted to announce the signing of @AlphonsoDavies! 🇨🇦
He’s joined the club on a contract running until 2023 🔴⚪️ #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/yKSowVLsz7
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) July 25, 2018
Because Davies is a homegrown player, the Whitecaps will be able to keep all of the transfer fee, rather than share a sizable portion with MLS.
“This is a landmark transfer for our club, country, and league,” Whitecaps owner Jeff Mallett said.
Bayern are in the U.S. for the International Champions Cup, and will take on Juventus on Wednesday night at Lincoln Financial Field (7:05 p.m. ET, ESPNU) as Davies looks on.
Davies, who has three goals and eight assists in 20 games this season, was named to the MLS All-Star team and will still participate in the game against Juventus on Aug. 1.
He has made six appearances for the Canada national team and was joint-top scorer at last summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup with three goals.
Davies is the second teenager from MLS to join Bayern Munich this summer, after the German champions signed 18-year-old Chris Richards on loan from FC Dallas earlier this month.
Richards is expected to join Bayern’s under-19 squad this season, but Davies told Yahoo last week that he had his sights set higher.
“If the opportunity comes, I think as a developing young player I want to go somewhere where they’ll play me in their first team,” Davies told Yahoo. “If a club buys you, you want to play for that club. You don’t want to be going on loan here or there.”
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