Technically gifted Australian looking to make splash in Valencia

He's the exciting young Australian football talent hoping a move to Valencia in Spain will provide him with the technical conditioning required to succeed at the top level. But he isn't Mat Ryan.

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Australian talent Isaac Danzo has signed a four-year deal with Levante. (SBS) Source: SBS

Illawarra teenager Isaac Danzo recently signed a four-year deal with Valencia-based La Liga outfit Levante UD, having impressed the club during a three-day trial.  

The 15 year-old trained under highly-regarded coach Jane Talevski with FFA's skillaroos program, run through Football NSW.

Danzo left for Spain in 2013 and linked up with Barcelona-based club Gava. 

A technically proficient 'number 6', Danzo caught the eye of a host clubs, including Catalan giant Barcelona, before linking up with Levante. 

He spoke of his desire to meet up with Socceroos star Ryan, who also calls Valencia home having signed a six-year deal with Los Che earlier in the week.
"I would really like the opportunity to meet Matt Ryan," Danzo said. "He is a fantastic player and role model for all young Australian football players.

"He is a great goalkeeper for the Socceroos and now with Valencia will be playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"As we are both living in Valencia it would be great to know another Australian here and I could also help out with interpreting." 

Danzo said the main differences he'd noticed between Spanish junior football and Australia's setup was the standard of first touch, the awareness and tempo of play.

He said a year spent playing in Barcelona had given him the opportunity to establish a career there. 

"Spanish football is played at a faster tempo where a good first touch, football awareness and technique are vital to succeed," Danzo said. "The football in Spain is a possession based passing style which is suited to my playing style."My family initially moved to Barcelona for family and work reasons as my mother is Spanish.

"It gave me the opportunity to play in one of the strongest junior competitions in the world where I played well enough to be scouted by a few La Liga clubs and offered a four deal by Levante".

Talevski rated Danzo a future Australia player, suggesting it is his football smarts and technical ability which appealed to Levante.

"Naturally, to sign at a La Liga club you must have a very high technical capacity where Isaac excels, but more importantly he is a very intelligent player who know's how to control the rhythm and tempo of the match, which is why Levante are utilising him as a pivot," he said.

"It is a long and difficult road to realising your goals and dreams but I fully expect to see Isaac flourish and eventually wear the green and gold."


 

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3 min read
Published 25 July 2015 11:24am
Updated 25 July 2015 12:14pm
Source: SBS

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