Bundesliga
"I'm learning from top-class footballers at Bayern" - Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies has praised his Bayern Munich teammates for easing his transition from Major League Soccer outfit Vancouver Whitecaps to the Bundesliga's record champions.
Davies, 18, made six substitute Bundesliga appearances after joining Bayern from the Whitecaps in January.
The teenager became the club's youngest goalscorer in almost 20 years with his goal against Mainz on 17 March, and also turned out for the reserves before jetting off to represent Canada at the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
"My teammates were wonderful, reflected Davies in a recent interview with the Edmonton Sun. "The first time I got in the locker room they welcomed me. And they supported me throughout the season.
"I learned a lot of things from top-class footballers. They taught me a lot. I think the whole team really tried to help me learn how to play their way and I think I'm adapting to it."
Watch: Relive Alphonso Davies' first Bundesliga goal for Bayern!
Davies clocked up 74 minutes of Bundesliga action for Bayern during the second half of the 2018/19 Bundesliga season, having had to wait until turning 18 and the opening of the January transfer window to be eligible to play for the club.
He picked up winner's medals in the Bundesliga and DFB Cup and, after bowing out at the quarter-final stage of the CONCACAF Cup with Canada, is now looking forward to his first full season as a Bayern player with relish.
"The Bundesliga is a tough league and I was happy to play in some of the games with the team," said Davies, who registered three assists in his four 2019 Gold Cup outings. "Their plan was to help me find my feet in the league and hopefully next year I'll get more playing time."
Following his Gold Cup efforts, there will be another quick turnaround for Davies. The Canadian is expected to link back up with the Bayern first team for their upcoming summer tour of the USA, where they will face friendlies against Arsenal, Real Madrid and AC Milan in the Intercontinental Champions Cup.
His next competitive outing could come on 3 August, when Bayern take on 2018/19 Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund in the season-opening German Supercup.