Abraham Donzo’s dream of playing at the highest level of soccer in the world took a gigantic leap a couple weeks ago after he, once again, impressed the academy coaches of Everton FC on his, count it, fourth trip to Everton. The skillful 16-year-old will now return in January on a 3-month invitation with Everton’s academy in the hopes of landing a professional contract.

"Abe's success follows closely behind that of Mahir Hadziresic who recently signed a pro contract with Czech 1st Division club Mlada Boleslav,” said Fury Owner and CEO John Pugh. “Now in his 4th year with the Fury, Abe has earned this great opportunity through his hard work and determination particularly as he worked his way back to fitness after his knee injury. We wish him every success with this tremendous opportunity with Everton."

After flying him to England and housing him in their academy lodging, Donzo took part in training and even a game with the Everton FC Academy, an opportunity dreamed by many, but in reality few have the chance to achieve. Donzo’s skill and determination are what first caught the attention of Everton Academy Director Ray Hall and have been catching his attention, and others, ever since. What lies ahead for Donzo no one can say for sure, but for Abe, as he’s known by his teammates, he would love nothing more than to be the next big product of the Everton Academy following in the footsteps of the likes of Wayne Rooney who played his first Premier League match for Everton a few days after his 17^th birthday.

Every soccer player has their own story, but few are as unique as Abe’s – coming to Ottawa after spending a lot of his childhood in a Liberian refugee camp, finding a lovely family that he now calls his own, coming to the Ottawa Fury where his skills have grown exponentially, winning a soccer reality television program, rehabbing an unfortunate ACL injury, and now, through it all, will have the opportunity to join the professional ranks. All this at only 16 years of age!

While with the Fury, Donzo has routinely played with teams that are a year or two older than himself as his sheer size, strength and skills were in need of a more competitive environment. It was in 2007, while with the Fury’s U16 team, that Donzo received his first invitation to Everton, which was quickly followed by a second invitation and then an improbable third invite scheduled for 2008. Prior to his third trip to Everton, Donzo also won the reality TV show ‘Soccer Dreams’ which again saw Everton Academy Director Ray Hall following Abe’s every move.

An ACL injury delayed Donzo’s third trip to Everton, but the determined Donzo rehabbed and made his third trip and despite not being 100% at that time the Everton Academy staff wanted a fourth look at Abe – the fourth time was the charm as it will lead to a fifth and lengthier trip to Everton in the new year.

Before Abe prepares to depart to Everton, he will look to cap off a very successful 2009 season that has already seen him represent Ontario at the Canada Summer Games. After helping lead his Fury U16 team to a New England Division title, Donzo and his team will travel to Tampa next week with the hopes of capturing the Fury’s first-ever North American Championship.