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Vancouver Whitecaps’ Alphonso Davies Signs for Canada

By Gareth Wolff

May 23, 2017; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Alphonso Davies (67) celebrates his goal against Montreal Impact goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (40) (not pictured) during the first half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Alphonso Davies (67) celebrates his goal against Montreal Impact goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (40) (not pictured) during the first half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vancouver Whitecaps teenage sensation Alphonso Davies has received his Canadian citizenship and earned his first call-up for the Canadian men’s national team.

Soccer fans across Canada can breathe a sigh of relief. Alphonso Davies is homing in on his first appearance for the Canadian national team.

Canada Soccer announced Tuesday that the 16-year-old Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder has finally obtained his Canadian citizenship.

Right on the heels of that announcement came another. Davies has received his first call-up to the Canadian national team. New Canadian head coach Octavio Zambrano wants to get Davies cap-tied to Canada and is wasting no time. Davies will join the national team camp in Montreal, ahead of a friendly against Curacao on June 13. He’s also been included in the provisional 40-man squad for the Gold Cup this summer.

Davies was born to Liberian parents in a refugee camp in Ghana. That means he would also be eligible to play for Liberia, so getting him some international appearances for Canada was a priority for Zambrano. Davies lived in Edmonton, Alberta from 2007 until he joined the Whitecaps Residency program in 2015.

Premier League clubs interested

In less than a year since he signed his first MLS contract, Davies has already drawn the attention of major clubs. Both Manchester United and Liverpool have reportedly been scouting him. Once Davies turns 18, Whitecaps fans are resigned to losing him.

Until then, though, he might just be the most popular player in the Whitecaps squad. Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson has been carefully managing his young prodigy’s minutes to keep him from burning out, but he has still made 11 appearances in MLS play this season. He played in both legs of the Canadian Championship semifinal against Montreal Impact, scoring two goals and assisting one. Davies also started all four CONCACAF Champions League matches this year, scoring one goal.

Next: Canadian Premier League: Aims for 16 teams and Pro/Rel

If Alphonso Davies can continue his rapid rate of development and stay injury-free, he could have a long and productive career with the Canadian national team. After decades of disappointment, the future may just be bright for Canadian soccer. After all, Davies will still only be 25 for the 2026 World Cup, which Canada is hoping to cohost.

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