JONATHAN DAVID

Both clubs may be renowned for their keen eye for fledgling talent, but don’t remind the decision-makers at Red Bull Salzburg and Stuttgart of the fact they once let this 20-year-old sharpshooter slip through their fingers.

The pair brought the Canadian to Europe for trials as a teenager, in 2016 and 2017, only to decide that he did not fit the bill. Coaches at Salzburg informed him he’d struggle to make their B team and they only wanted imports who were better than their own academy pupils. Stuttgart’s under-21 boss did not even bother to observe him in action.

David returned home to Ottawa with mixed feelings; he was deeply disappointed, of course, but equally convinced that he had what it takes to make it overseas. And when Belgian outfit Gent offered him a chance to try-out he made a lasting impression and signed for the club on his 18th birthday, in January 2018.

And what progress he has made in Flanders since.

He looked very much the part in his first season with the first team, scoring 14 times, and produced an even better set of finishing numbers this term with 23 goals in 40 Belgian championship and Europa League fixtures.

A Canada international for the last 20 months, he could not stop scoring for the national side last year, netting eight goals in total, including six at the CONCACAF

Gold Cup. Little wonder he was voted the country’s Player of the Year in December.

Rated in the €20million plus bracket, he is currently being linked with top sides in England, Italy, Spain and Germany. He has, however, hinted that his preferred destination is the Bundesliga – and no doubt he would like to emulate the achievements of his compatriot and close friend Alphonso Davies, who has made the left-back berth his own at Bayern Munich this season.

As well as goals, goals, goals and an abundance of skill and speed, David also offers positional adaptability.

He was a pure striker growing up in Canada with a string of Ottawa clubs, but in truth he can play anywhere in the attacking third and Gent coach Jess Thorup tends to use him just behind twin strikers.

With eight goals last year, including six at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, little wonder he was voted Canada’s Player of the Year