Perth Glory is delighted to announce, Qantas Joey Daniel De Silva, has signed a professional youth contract with Perth Glory until the end of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season.
Perth Glory is delighted to announce, Qantas Joey Daniel De Silva, has signed a professional youth contract with Perth Glory until the end of the 2014/15 Hyundai A-League season.
In a massive coup for the club, De Silva has decided to further his football career with Perth Glory despite a host of European giants, including English Premier League club Everton, who were keen to land the 15 year-old.
“As soon as the opportunity arrived to play for Perth Glory, why would you pass it up? It-s a great football club and a positive environment to benefit my career,” De Silva said.
“It-s good to be working with Alistair, when I found out he was the coach, I was definitely smiling.
“He-s a great role model and if you listen to him, he-ll shape you to become a better footballer.”
Perth Glory coach Alistair Edwards knows De Silva better than most, having coached the teenager with the Australian U-17s.
“I’ve seen first-hand a player with an incredible desire to get better and this outstanding work ethic, guided in the appropriate way over the years has enabled him to become a technically proficient player”, Edwards said.
“Daniel now has the opportunity to continue his football education with the Perth Glory senior squad where he will train with and learn from some outstanding characters, including many senior internationals who have played for such clubs as Manchester United and have years of top flight experience.”
Born in Perth, De Silva grew-up “loving the atmosphere” at Perth Glory games while playing juniors for Kingsway Olympic and the Stirling Lions.
Edwards said signing De Silva is part of the strategy Perth Glory has moving forward, implementing a vision and philosophy for the long term future of the club.
“Daniel is one of a number of players we have identified as part of the clubs future direction and if he continues to work on his game during these crucial formative years he will have a very bright future in the game,” Edwards added.
“We are thrilled to have signed a player that has come through the WA development pathway that has included club football and the National Training Centre (NTC), we want to make sure there is a clearly defined pathway that results in opportunities for the ever increasing number of talented young players.
“The idea is for our young players to continue their football education in WA, then progress to a professional career with the first team, then if there is interest from overseas clubs the players will go as an experienced player having played for a great A-League club”
De Silva is the youngest player to sign for Perth Glory.
Daniel De Silva
Date of birth: 6 March 1997 (Age 15)
Position: Attacking midfielder
HAL squad number: 28
