Was reading about the Rev's signing Diego Fagundez and stumbled across this page on the Rev's website: Read this article saying he was born in Brazil and moved here in '99 at age 8, so who knows if he's a US citizen or not -- just wanted to start a thread to see if anyone knows anything.
He was invited to a US U-14 BNT camp back in 2006, but I don't think this necessarily means he had citizenship. http://www.ussoccer.com/News/U-14-N...BNT-Identification-Camp-Roster-Announced.aspx The US Soccer Development Academy site lists him as Brazilian http://ussda.demosphere.com/teams/27484436/27485041-27484530/12240220.html Couldn't find him on the Malaga website. The roster page for the B team is blank.
Poli Ejido folded in midseason. But not before this: http://elcentrocampista.com/2012/01/poli-ejido-0-14-lorca/ highlights:
Poli Ejido was the team Jozy scored 2 goals against in the Copa Del Rey. I remember because they have(or had) a fantastic club badge.
He's been released from his Malaga contract and is back in the Boston area: From today's Boston Globe: Felix De Bona wasted no time in reacquainting himself with the high school game. After starring at Everett High School for three seasons, DeBona moved to Spain after signing an amateur contract to play for Málaga CF. When he was released from his contract, DeBona returned to Massachusetts, but his family had uprooted to Somerville. He enrolled at Somerville High to complete his education, and boys’ soccer coach George Scarpelli submitted a waiver with the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association that would allow him to play his senior year. “I wasn't sure if he would get it or not,” said Scarpelli, “but it was worth a shot.” DeBona was granted his waiver less than two weeks ago and netted a hat trick in his first game, a 6-3 win over Brockton. No idea on citizenship, but at least he can re-enter the US without hassle.
The Boston Globe has a decent sized update in the paper today: Some excerpts: Contrary to Internet reports, he did not sign a contract to play for Malaga CF of Spain’s famed La Liga.Instead, De Bona caught on with the youth club team of Polideportivo Ejido, in Spain’s Second Division. Just like with the Revolution, De Bona was part of an academy squad, playing against others in his age range but against stiffer competition than the academy teams in the United States. “If I was ever a pro, I would still be one,” said De Bona, who was never compensated to play. “Why would I be here if I was a pro?” He played with Polideportivo for six months then returned to Brazil, where he completed his junior year of academics. He soon found himself playing pickup matches on the street because there was no local team. Eventually De Bona made the difficult decision to return to Massachusetts on his own, moving in with a family friend in Somerville after he registered to complete his high school education there. The Highlanders, ranked second in the Globe’s Top 20, have scored 70 goals since his arrival. De Bona has accounted for 28, and he’s made a seamless integration into the family-like atmosphere of the Highlanders’ locker room. In the spring, De Bona will obtain his high school diploma, and he hopes the chance to play at the collegiate level will help him fulfill his lifelong goal of becoming a professional soccer player. The full article is here: http://www.boston.com/sports/school...controversy/mGJ7UzCOwc1h6FY1g1SSrI/story.html The Globe has a paywall, but it appears you can view it without paying.
It's kinda of a bummer that MLS doesn't have academy spots for 19-year olds. That's something that should be remedied.
Polideportivo Ejido? Jozy scored a goal or two against them in a cup match while at Villarreal. The club is known for having the best crest in sports. As you can see below, their best sport is growing tomatoes for the European continent.
He ended up at Boston University: http://www.goterriers.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/felix_de_bona_851155.html
Article on him in New England Soccer Journal: http://digital.nesoccerjournal.com/nxtbooks/seamans/nesoccerj_201410/index.php#/6 "I know more about America than Brazil, so I feel more American than anything." @Friedel'sAccent @bungadiri -- probably as good a time as any to close this thread.
Did they forget to tell him they moved? I can just imagine him with his suitcases knocking on the door and a stranger opens the door.