Villyan Bijev -- US U18 player signed by Liverpool

[Chris Harmon]

Anybody know anything about this kid? He signed a 3-yr deal with Liverpool last summer and is on loan to Fortuna Dusseldorf.

US starlet Villyan Bijev signs for Liverpool
The Reds have reportedly captured the talented 18-year-old American forward, who is understood to have signed a three-year deal with the English Premier League club

Jul 24, 2011 11:08:00 AM --

American teenager Villyan Bijev has agreed terms this weekend with Premier League giants Liverpool, according to a report from Californian news channel KMPH Fox 26.

The report claimed that Bijev has signed a three-year contract with a two-year option, and his high school coach and former MLS midfielder Chad McCarty confirmed the information to the television station.

The striker will avoid any work permit issues because he holds Bulgarian citizenship through his father, Chris, who was born in Bulgaria and is now a renowned attorney in Northern California specialising in immigration and nationality issues.

The 18-year-old forward has been a prolific scorer with his club, Cal Odyssey, in the Development Academy for the past three seasons. Last year, he notched over 20 goals as his team finished as runners-up in the Under-16 section. This year, he averaged a goal a game and was voted into the national starting XI at the Under-18 level.

A native of Fresno, Bijev played for the USA's Under-18 team in May at the Lisbon International tournament.

The youngster is understood to have impressed the Liverpool coaching staff while on trial at the Anfield club last week, scoring five goals and contributing two assists in two games for the Reds' Under-18 academy team.

Earlier this year, Bijev declined an invitation to join the USFC SuperElite tour, and instead spent time training in Bulgaria before heading to England for the trial with Liverpool.

With his combination of skill and deft touch, Bijev has been tipped for a bright future either as a forward or in central midfield.

He told Goal.com earlier this year that he wants to improve his runs off the ball and strength in possession.

Assuming he can improve those two traits, Bijev will hope to enjoy a more successful career with Liverpool than compatriots Brad Friedel and Zak Whitbread, who both failed to make the grade at Anfield - though Friedel, now at Tottenham via Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa, went on to enjoy a superb career in the English Premier League.

Goal.com

 

[HuffyCane]

He's been around awhile. I remember first reading about him back in like 2009 or do. He's a big body with speed. Much bigger and faster than defenses his age. His obstacle will be maintaining his physical dominance against more mature players -- aka Altidoritis.

 

[Chris Harmon]

Thanks Huffy...I had not heard of him...but I'm pretty out of the loop these days.

 

[HuffyCane]

Ha! Its not like the kid is really on the radar or anything. You'd have to be a geek like me or hang out at tourneys like the Dallas Cup to ever know about some random youth player like this guy.

He plays for one of those California clubs that insists on players playing within their age group, that's why you've never heard of him.

Not only does this stunt their development and limit their exposure, it prevents players from being "discovered" and moved into an academy atmosphere faster.

What it really does is benefit the clubs. They keep the players longer and they dominate kids their own age -- so the team wins. So more kids want to play for that club. So the club can charge more. So the club can travel more. So the club gets a national reputation. Its everything that is wrong with US Soccer in a nutshell.

Proponents of the system say it highlights player's skills and makes it easier for them to "get noticed." I say it is wasting valuable time and leads to a country of 23 and 24 year old strikers with limited experience (Teal Bunbury/CJ Sapong, etc.) or 20 something veterans who languish with their clubs due to lack of early coaching and current playing time (Altidore).