It is still sinking in for Doneil Henry. The 17-year-old is now a professional soccer player, after becoming the first Academy member to make the step up to Toronto FC’s first team.
[inline_node:4559]“I am still shocked by everything, but I am very happy to be part of this team and be in this environment,” said Henry at a press conference at Real Sports Bar and Grill on Thursday afternoon. “Becoming the first homegrown player for Toronto FC is great. It is a great experience and a dream for me. I am still young and I want to push to make the first team and step up when I am called upon.”
Henry praised Toronto FC’S Academy and the coaching staff for helping him achieve his goal. “I want to thank Stuart Neely and Jason Bent and the rest of the Academy coaches for always being there and pushing me to become the player I am today.”
“I think the Academy is the best soccer based program in Canada. It has helped me because it is competitive training every day and that has helped build my performance. We all want to make it to the first team and everyone trains hard every day to try and achieve that goal.”
“I always said I wanted to become a professional footballer and I stuck with that from day one and was committed to the training. I knew I had to work hard and the chance to become a pro was my motivation.”
“When you become part of the squad at TFC and you are so close to the professionals you hope that one day you can become one of them. That was my goal all along.”
Henry has been training with the first team regularly for the last few weeks and feels he has already benefitted greatly from the experience. “Being around the first team this year has helped to build my professionalism. The game is a lot quicker and the demand is a lot higher. Passing has to be firm and well struck. The standards are a lot higher.”
“I have good leaders around me with Nana Attakora and Adrian Cann. We are there to fight for spots, but the help me and guide me and make me comfortable.”
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