German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich have signed Nigerian starlet, Daniel Francis after a talent hunt event tagged FC Bayern world squad project.
“FC Bayern have signed 18-year-old Nigerian home-based player, Daniel Francis”, the German club confirmed on Thursday, August 4, 2022.
The FC Hearts of Abuja midfielder, famously known as “Dada” signed a three-year contract with the Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
Daniel Francis’ Background
Francis was born in Nigeria on the 27th of September, 2003. His height is about 1.7m and weighs 75kg. He started his football career on the streets before joining his hometown club, FC Hearts of Abuja as a central midfielder.
At the age of 16, Daniel was a member of the Golden Eaglets team who represented Nigeria in the 2019 U-17 World Cup in Brazil. He featured just once for the Golden Eaglets in Brazil, in a match against Hungary.
Francis registered himself for the FC Bayern‘s World Squad; a project where some young and talented footballers from all over the world are selected for the opportunity to play in Europe.
How he got to FC Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich discovered Daniel Francis during the 2022 FC Bayern World Squad project, where a total of 24 young players from all over the world got the chance to show their qualities. During the event, Francis showcased great competence and leadership skills as he was appointed the captain of the team.
The Head of FC Bayern, Jochen Sauer, who was highly impressed by his performance makes a thrilling comment about him, emphasizing the fact that FC Bayern is lucky to outdo other clubs in signing the Nigerian young star, Daniel Francis.
Jochen Sauer said: “Daniel played to the fore during his time in the FC Bayern World Squad and acted very conspicuously in the test games. He’s attracted the interest of a number of clubs, so we’re delighted he’s signed and that he can now gain match practice at Austria Klagenfurt.”
Commenting on how Daniel Francis feels about the opportunity to be the first Nigerian the club would ever sign, Jochen Sauer said:
“Bayern is a natural choice of course because you can rate it as the top club in the world, maybe the best run club in the world and as a brand, it’s as big as any, they have achieved everything in football…
“So, it is very hard to say no to such a club when the opportunity arises. It’s a big moment for the player and it’s also a big moment for other players to keep dreaming.
“It’s a big day in Nigerian football as Francis becomes the first Nigerian footballer to ever sign for Bayern Munich, it’s a combination of hard work from 2019 when Bayern came to Nigeria and did the world youth cup programme”
FC Bayern loans Francis to Klagenfurt
Upon reaching an agreement with Bayern in a three year contract that will elapse in 2025, Daniel Francis will be loaned out to Austrian first division club Austria Klagenfurt until the end of the 2022/23 season before joining the club.
This decision, however, was made to enable him to gather more football experience and adapt to the European playing style. His rise to the top will encourage young talents like him as he is the first Nigerian to sign for Bayern Munich.
