Days removed from winning the 2019-20 Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich, Vancouver Whitecaps export Alphonso Davies has been named Rookie of the Year in Germany’s top flight.
Davies, 19, has emerged as one of the world’s top young prospects, shining at left back for Bayern. He’s featured in 40 matches across all competitions this season, contributing three goals and nine assists.
The Bundesliga’s Rookie of the Year award pooled together votes that broke down as follows: fans 40%, clubs 30%, pundits 30%. Others in the running were FC Schalke right back Jonjoe Kenny, Borussia Dortmund forward Erling Haaland, 1. FC Koln winger Ismail Jakobs and Borussia Monchengladbach forward Marcus Thuram.
The final pool was gathered after each received a Rookie of the Month nod at various points during the 2019-20 season. To be eligible, players had to be younger than 23 on Matchday 1 and not started a Bundesliga match in any previous campaign. Players also couldn’t have played more than 450 minutes before the current Bundesliga season.
Before heading to Bayern, Davies signed a Homegrown Player deal with Vancouver in 2016. He scored eight goals and dished out 12 assists across 65 MLS appearances, prompting the German powerhouse club to come calling with a $22 million transfer.
For Canada, Davies already has five goals and eight assists through 17 caps. Alongside Jonathan David, he’s one of Concacaf’s top players.
