Manchester United Sign 9-year-old

UNTflyer · August 3, 2007

I could care less about soccer, but even I can see this kid has moves. Video link at bottom.

LONDON, Aug 2 (Reuters) - Manchester United have signed a gifted nine-year-old after his grandfather sent the Premier League champions a DVD showcasing the boy's talents which has become a YouTube sensation.

Rhain Davis, who was born in England but has lived in Australia since the age of four, was hailed by the British press on Thursday as the next Wayne Rooney after the United striker.

The boy's dribbling and goalscoring prowess for an Under-10 side in Brisbane, Australia, feature in a four-minute YouTube clip, already viewed more than 800,000 times. United confirmed the signing but played down the hype around Davis, who has moved back to Cheshire in northern England with his father, near the club's training ground.

"He's a member of our academy and we don't comment on individual members," a United spokesman told Reuters.

He added that the club sign about 40 players of Davis's age every year and, as is standard, will decide annually whether to renew his contract or release him.

What was so unusual in Davis's case was that his skills were brought to the attention of United's youth scouts by the DVD submission, which could inspire other hopefuls, the spokesman said.

"We're bracing ourselves for a whole series of DVDs," he added.

Davis has been thrilled at the chance to rub shoulders with some of his idols.

"The best part has been meeting lots of players like Wayne Rooney," he told British newspapers.

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Here's the video

FirefightnRick · August 4, 2007

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

How would you like for your kid to be on his team, joining everyone else on the field, and sidelines, just standing around and watching? I can't wait for his U.S. debut someday. He could turn soccer around in this country.

Rick

Edited August 4, 2007 by FirefightnRick

greenminer · August 4, 2007

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
How would you like for your kid to be on his team, joining everyone else on the field, and sidelines, just standing around and watching? I can't wait for his U.S. debut someday. He could turn soccer around in this country.
Rick

...or, be paid by the richest team overseas and not do anything for the sport on U.S. mainland.

Pele was brought ito NY 30 years ago and what did it do?

Beckham has been brought in for the same reasons, with only a couple Brazilians that can match/better his stardom. We'll see.