Davide Who? A Question all Leeds United fans asked themselves when the South African striker was given a trial during the summer of 2009. It began a search scrolling through Google looking for reports or YouTube clips of who Davide Somma was or even a short clip to see him play. Somma remained a mystery as most searches returned limited results.

Born in Johannesburg, he moved to America at the age of 12 and began his football career with college team Tyler Apaches. After a short time in the States he moved to Spain to join the youth set up at Regional side UD Logrones, the red tape was quickly cut through as he help Dual-Nationality with an Italian passport his dream of playing European Football was a step closer.

That passport came to great use when in 2004 he signed for Italian club Perugia. Perugia at the time had ambitions to dominate Serie A and made some extraordinary signings including Jay Bothroyd. Davide never got a game in his first year at Perugia and was quickly released.

Pro Vasto was Davide’s next stop. Playing 2 seasons for the Italian club he only managed 2 goals in 39 games. Davide had another short spell at fellow Italian club Olbia before returning to the United States in 2008. Overall Davide’s Dream of playing in Europe looked over before it had even started; a striker with three goals for three clubs isn’t exactly an exciting prospect.

Davide returned the United States and signed a developmental contract with the San Jose Earthquakes. Used mostly in the reserves he featured only three times for the first team. Davide then enrolled in a football project called Generation Adidas, a joint venture between the U.S .Soccer federation and the MLS to help develop young players. During an interview with Yorkshire Radio Davide mentioned that Generation Adidas helped build up his confidence and brought back the hunger to make a success of himself in Europe. During a UK tour Generation Adidas played games against Reading, Chelsea and West Ham United Reserves.  These games did Davide the world of good, scoring twice in the three games also providing a small taste of English football.

Former San Jose teammate Darren Huckerby advised him that England would be a great place for him to play, so after his released from the Earthquakes in 2009, Davide packed his bags and bought himself a one way ticket to England. He later admitted he bought the one way ticket knowing then he had to make it. His last chance saloon if you will.

It didn’t start well, a brief trial spell at Queens Park Rangers wasn’t extended, he didn’t impress, but blames that on played out of position most of the time. Leeds United then offered Somma a week’s trial that included a pre season fixture away at Newport County. Somma scored and prompted Leeds to extend the trial to 4 weeks.

Davide took full advantage scoring against Hull City and away to Newcastle, the fans were starting to take notice of this unknown striker.  Being South African the Leeds fans instantly took to him, the club has grown an affinity to South Africans over the years; Lucas Radebe and Phil Masinga have hero status at Elland Road. The fans hoped the signing of Somma of a one year contract would provide the young striker a platform to follow in their footsteps.

It would be a hard slog if Davide was to make it in England but the signs were there, his reserves debut was met with two goals. Manager Simon Grayson saw the reserves as an ideal way to build Davide’s fitness and adapt his game to the English style. Eventually he made his first team debut against Darlington in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, disaster for the striker as he picked up an injury and never got another place in the Leeds side.

A Loan move to Chesterfield followed, but so did the injuries. The three month loan spell was ravaged by fitness and injury issues. After a short spell back at Leeds he was loaned out again, this time to Chris Sutton’s Lincoln City. Scoring on his debut he went on a great run, 5 goals in 5 appearances prompting Sutton to extend the loan deal to the end of the season. Somma received praise for his performances throughout the league finishing the season with nine goals in only thirteen games.

Somma was back in Leeds this summer for preseason training, showing good form and fitness the South African was a wanted man. Grayson admitting turning down over a dozen approaches for Davide’s signature. Davide was obviously in the managers plans, unfortunately ruled out the first three games through suspension, but as soon as the ban was up he found himself on the bench for the visit of Millwall.

The game was locked in at 1-1 when Grayson took a chance with quarter of the game remaining. Davide Somma took the field to a murmuring of excitement and speculation, he didn’t disappoint. Hundreds of players have made their United debut at Elland Road but not many as spectacularly as the South African. Two outstanding finishes confirmed Leeds comeback and first win since promotion to the Championship, Millwall were put to the sword. Davide Somma had arrived! 

The striker has continued to impress with 7 goals so far this season, the potential is there to see, very sharp around the box and a real predatory instinct that most teams will need to show respect. It is still early in his Leeds career but the fans feel they have uncovered a gem whether or not he goes on to become a Leeds Legend is unclear, It is certain Somma is a player that will cause nightmare for defenders up and down the Championship this season and the Leeds fan can’t wait to cheer him on.

This was written by Matthew McKeith, a Leeds United fan all his life, you can follow Matthew on twitter for more updates on Leeds Utd and Davide Somma.