Victory wins race for Davies

The Liberian refugee, who has been touted as a future Socceroos prospect once he has fulfilled citizenship requirements, was an instant hit in a short trial at the two-time A-League champion and his manager and advisor, Buddy Farah, is close to agreeing terms with Victory until the end of the season with an option for two more years.

Born in Sierra Leone, Davies arrived in Perth as an 11-year-old from the refugee camps of Liberia, and is back in Australia to continue his football education after two years in Bayern Munich’s youth system before last June departing to Bundesliga rival Hoffenheim on a two-year deal.

Though a regular in its under-19 team, the highly-regarded striker decided to return to Australia at the behest of former Marconi and Olyroos defender Farah who believes A-League experience will fast-track his future.

The lightning quick 17-year-old also has the incentive of qualifying to play for his adoptive homeland once he has amassed a full five years of residence here, having fallen six months short when he decamped to Germany.

He has come back with Hoffenheim’s blessing with Farah proclaiming that, given the opportunity at Victory, he is poised to become an emerging force on the local landscape.

“I can go on record with that because he is that promising,” Farah told The World Game.

“He has been offered a verbal deal and it’s now about going through the paperwork.

“At this stage I am very impressed by what the club has done for him a support they have offered him.

“He’s been there two weeks and has been extremely impressed by the new coach Jim Magilton and the whole setup.

“He hasn’t looked out of place there and that has come from the coaching staff and the players.”

Farah also said that FFA has been supportive and is pushing his cause with FIFA regarding his eligibility to play for Australia .

“They are doing all they can and that’s been very helpful. I think there’s recognition out there that he is a real emerging talent.

“There is no other young player on the horizon here with his qualities. He is fast technical and can beat a player.”

“He loves to run at players and is fast with the ball at his feet. “The only thing he needs guidance and support and then hopefully he will flourish.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he got some A-League game time before the end of this season but he has to go out and keep improving and doing the right things.

”A deal expected to be concluded later this week with Victory clearly seeing Davies as a player who can be molded and fashioned into the finished product as it seeks to add some youth to its striking stocks.