Kyle Davies Returns To US

It looks 19 year old centerback Kyle Davies has given up on playing in England for the time being. He's signed a 4 year deal with Major League Soccer. Real Salt Lake one the lottery and now have his player rights.

With an English mom and a Welsh dad, was this the best of moves for Davies? He was getting regular playing time with Southampton's reserve squad this year. And with his contract coming to end he would've been free to move to another club in search of playing time. Will he progress as well in the MLS? Will he see any playing time this year?


A bit from Southampton's web site :

Saints' American defender Kyle Davies has returned home to the States after signing a 4-year deal with Real Salt Lake.

The MLS side swooped to sign the 20-year old centre-back, who recently captained the USA Under-20's side in their CONCACAF Championship, as a pick in this year's draft lottery.

Davies was out of contract with Southampton in the summer, but Major League Soccer's transfer window closed on April 15th, meaning that the Utah-based team had to move early to seal the transfer.

This however means that Saints will receive compensation for the player who joined the Saints Academy as a Second Year scholar in 2007, but has found regular first team opportunities limited by more senior players.

Head coach Mark Wotte explained more about the background to the move by saying that he felt that it would hopefully be a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Young Kyle Davies Progress

Young American Kyle Davies, who has appeared for the US-17 team, made a move to Southampton a year and half ago. While still not expecting to see much of him this year, he has progressed. He's still 19 and being used as a defender. The club is now listing him with their first team (here).

Kyle Davies Skips College...goes straight to the pros...

Soccer America reported earlier this month that California high school student, Kyle Davies, has signed a professional contract with Southampton Football Club of the English League Championship. Davies, 17, of Ballistic United in the SF Bay Area spent time in the Bradenton residency program and was one of my favorites to go to college a year and then sign with MLS. Davies has earned All-American Youth honors in 2005 and became an instant fixture with the US Youth setup. His mother is English and his father Welsh so soccer is in their blood and a work permit is not an issue.

Southampton's youth system is well known for developing solid professionals and with Theo Walcott's move to Arsenal last year they have proven to be a link to the big time. Southampton are currently trying to earn promotion back to the Premier League so we could see another American in the top flight in another year or two.

This is great move for Davies as it will continue his development in a top system. We all know that the US has a long way to go to catch up to the level of coaching in England. While I would have preferred to see the young player give the US system a go, I can appreciate the desire to test skills at the highest level. Having another young prospect in England will only help the American National set up.

Good luck Kyle!