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WANTED by Manchester United, desired by Everton and linked to Barcelona, Daniel De Silva is a kid in demand. At just 16, the Perth product is already being tagged as Australian soccer’s great hope, as he embarks on his first full A-League season.

WHAT’S HIS STORY?

Born and raised in the West Australian capital, De Silva came through the club ranks of Perth clubs Kingsway Olympic and the Stirling Lions. He was introduced to soccer originally by his father, grew up idolising Brazilian great Pele and copied tricks from the world’s best. “I try to play my own style of football, but definitely I learnt some things from players such as Neymar, Messi, Xavi and Ronaldo.” The gifted attacker spent time at WA’s National Training Centre and in 2011 was one of the youngest picked for the Joeys, Australia’s national under-17s team. European clubs came calling for the midfield magician, including English Premier League outfit Everton, but visa issues scuppered a move abroad. De Silva chose Perth Glory, his local club and boyhood favourite, where he was reunited with former Joeys coach Alistair Edwards.

On March 2 this year he became the second youngest A-League debutant in the competition’s history when he appeared off the bench against Sydney FC at the age of 15. De Silva made four appearances over the season, but was quickly snapped up by the Young Socceroos to play in the FIFA Under-20s World Cup in June.

At 16, he was the youngest player at the tournament and Australia’s youngest ever to feature at the World Cup.

The fresh-faced teenager didn’t disappoint. In the tournament opener against Colombia, he produced a man-of-the-match

performance and scored Australia’s goal in the 1-1 draw. The Young Socceroos were knocked out of the group stage after two more matches but De Silva had showed his class and announced himself on the world stage. The impressive displays of the creative midfielder sparked interest from around the world and the Glory, where he is signed on for the next two seasons, quickly whacked a big price tag on him.

WHO’S HE LIKE?

Small and light at just 170cm and 60kg, with quick feet and decent pace, De Silva has been likened to everyone from a young Harry Kewell to Argentine phenomenon Lionel Messi. The pint-sized playmaker has a long way to go to be even close to matching those two, but there’s no denying he’s a special talent. Able to play wide in midfield or as a No. 10, De Silva is intelligent and imaginative, able to both score goals and create them.

Former Socceroo skipper Paul Okon is an unabashed fan, while fellow ex-Socceroo and current Glory boss Alistair Edwards

describes “Danny” as unique. “His touch direction is the best I’ve seen in a young player,” he says. “He can literally make a decision, when the ball comes to him, on where that ball’s going to go with his first touch. He’s very dynamic over a short area. Technically he’s very good.”

Edwards has known De Silva for years, having coached him with both the Joeys and Perth Glory. He says the youngster is versatile and remains down-to-Earth despite the hype around him: “First and foremost, Daniel acknowledges he has a long way to go. He’s only one of many talented players in the world.” De Silva is already an integral part of Perth Glory’s assault on the A-League this season. If all goes to plan, a very bright future in the green and gold, as well as overseas, beckons.

WHAT DO THEY SAY?

“De Silva is a wonderful talent, but above all, he's an excellent kid. A real jewel.”

− Paul Okon, Young Socceroos head coach and former Socceroo.

“Daniel’s got an incredible desire and an amazing work ethic. He comes from a great family. He’s a very humble person and a very good listener. He’s a person who will in no way get ahead of himself.”

− Alistair Edwards, Perth Glory head coach and former Socceroo.