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Spur of the moment D.C.'s Convey moves to Tottenham, pending work permitPosted: Wednesday August 13, 2003 2:23 PMUpdated: Wednesday August 13, 2003 6:11 PM
ATLANTA (SI.com) -- Twenty-year-old D.C. United and U.S. national team midfielder Bobby Convey has been transferred by Major League Soccer to English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, pending approval of his work permit. Convey impressed against Tottenham when the teams met in a pair of recent exhibition matches, and he's widely regarded as one of the top prospects in American soccer. He would become the second U.S. player on Spurs' roster -- Kasey Keller is the club's No. 1 goalkeeper. Financial terms of the four-year deal were not disclosed by D.C. United or Convey's representatives, Richard L. Motzkin and Dan Segal of SportsNet. According to Reuters, Tottenham is thought to have paid a transfer fee of nearly $2 million. “Moving to Tottenham is the next step in my career, and I’m ready to prove that American soccer players can develop to the point that we can compete at the highest levels of our game,” said Convey. Convey is the second MLS player to join a Premier League team in recent weeks, with former MetroStars goalkeeper Tim Howard having led Manchester United to a win over Arsenal on Sunday in the traditional Community Shield season-opener. "Through D.C. United, MLS and the U.S. national team program, Bobby has grown into a special player in a short amount of time," said United technical director Dave Kasper. "At Spurs, Bobby has the opportunity to prove that he can succeed in one of the top leagues in the world. We are extremely proud and happy for Bobby and wish him the best of luck." United said it expected to receive a replacement player from MLS, which controls all player contracts. Convey began his professional career stateside at age 16 as a first-round pick in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft (12th pick overall). He is the youngest MLS player ever to sign with an Premier League team. The 5-foot-8-inch, 150-pound midfielder is expected to leave for his new club before the end of the month, according to his agents. “It is an exciting day for U.S. Soccer,” said Motzkin. “Our young American players continue to demonstrate their skill, and Bobby is the epitome of a rising, talented U.S. player who deserves a chance to play abroad.” Convey started 18 games as a rookie with D.C. and has amassed eight goal and 12 assists in 70 games. At the age of 18, Convey became one of the youngest All-Stars in U.S. pro sports. He was ejected in his final MLS game on Saturday, receiving a red card in a 1-0 win over New England for kicking Jay Heaps. Named the 2002 U.S. Soccer Young Player of the Year, Convey has moved up the ranks with the national team program and is a current member of both the U.S. U-23 team that will look to qualify for the 2004 Olympics and the full national team. Convey has become a fixture with the senior team in 2003, playing in 15 matches (18 total). He has scored one goal and added two assists since making his debut against Brazil in October 2000. A Philadelphia native, Convey captained the U.S. U-20s to a berth in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships that will be held this November in the United Arab Emirates. It will be his second time representing the U.S. at this tournament, making his first appearance in 2001 in Argentina. Convey first appeared on the international scene as a member of the U.S. side at the 1999 FIFA Under-17 World Championship, finishing in fourth place in New Zealand -- the best ever finish by an American team in that tournament. “I’d like to thank D.C. United, my teammates and the great soccer supporters in Washington,” said Convey. “Kevin Payne and others within the organization helped me grow as a player and a person, and my teammates have been great. “I owe much of my success to them. I’m glad to have spent the last four years with this club, playing before the best fans in MLS.” Convey’s transfer to the North London club represents the third international transfer that SportsNet has brokered this summer, including that of Howard and Daniel Hernandez (to Mexico’s Necaxa). “This is a terrific move for Bobby," said Segal. “To enter the first team of an important Premier League club at 20-years-old speaks extremely well of both how far Bobby has already come and also how far he can go in his career." Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle had a chance to see Convey in action in a home-and-away friendly series between Spurs and United. The MLS club beat Tottenham 1-0 in London last October and again in May in D.C. "The young lad Convey has good acceleration, good pace, and looks as though he's got a real will to improve," Hoddle said in May. "He made some excellent runs into the penalty area and has good energy levels. He's somebody that caught my eye."
The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
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