TWTD has learnt that US midfielder Devann Yao spent last week on trial with the Blues. The 19-year-old wideman is a free agent, having previously spent time as a youth player in France, Italy and Scotland.

Yao, born in New York to an Ivorian father and Italian mother, which qualifies him for an EU passport, was with French side Metz’s youth academy for three seasons having joined them at 13.

A year in Italy playing in the reserves with Livorno and Pisa was followed by a short spell in Scotland with St Mirren’s youth set-up before he returned to the US, where he has spent time on trial with the New York Red Bulls.

Photo: Action Images

BranthamBlue added 12:57 - Nov 21 Old git spoke to him on Thursday, up training ground
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BaltachaFanClub added 12:58 - Nov 21 if anything a name like that can only help with the singing... he could be crap as a player but Yao would become a cult hero instantly
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el_nino added 14:49 - Nov 21 Everything you've ever wanted to know about the kid in this long-wnded article: http://www.thisisamericansoccer.com/tias-special-guests/the-curious-case-of-deva Sounds like he's either a) been very unlucky or b) got a bad attitute/gets home sick easily. Roy will find out I'm sure......
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oldgit_reserves added 15:24 - Nov 21 el_nino - I have read that long, rambling news article. Devann seemed diffident when I chatted to him at the training ground on Thursday. To be here suggests he is keen but his CV is so patchy and his manner rather disengaged - he would have to be one hell of a player to make an impression; I saw him doing physical training, not demonstrating skills, so I cannot judge his ability. He looked 'cool'.

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Mungo added 19:48 - Nov 21 I doubt there is much in this. We have quite a few wide players already, and unless this guy is better than them, there probably isn't going to be a place for him.
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MAVERICK added 20:37 - Nov 21 Everybody say Yao---------------Yao
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BoxerBlue added 08:33 - Nov 22 Yao.....Yao
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MAVERICK added 18:27 - Nov 22 Yao.......Yao
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MAVERICK added 18:35 - Nov 22 Thanks KeanoITFC09, at least we have some fun supporters !
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arc added 17:02 - Nov 25 Thanks for the link, Niño. Bit of a sad story really. It sounds like he has had terrible advice: he should have been in school and playing there (there is fantastic youth soccer in Harlem). After that, the American route would have been a scholarship to a college, and, as a talented player and an African-American, he could have had his choice. It says all you need to know about US soccer that he can't find a club, and they are talking about his place in the 2014 national team. Perspective!! Structure!! I doubt we have a place for him: the job of tricky, ineffectual winger is taken (hello, Lee Martin).

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blueherts added 22:11 - Nov 25 Get Yao in ...He is the unknown and well Martin - the less said about that piece of garbage the better - Nice one Keano - paying another favour back to yer former employees..Great story and the type of guys who should get a chance , Thing is he may be one minute late for training one week and ciao yao Great name , Great story and could be the great discovery Yao and Civelli Wickham up front all out attack ..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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bluepeter added 22:41 - Nov 25 I hope I am not too late for this........YAO!
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onlybluesandhorses added 12:24 - Nov 26 Good to hear that the Club is pursuing a worldwide business model with a view to benefiting from an international income stream. I seem to recall a pop song from years ago with the hook line "Yippy yippy Yow! Old git, if RK turns up late to training, pays no attention to it and leaves early, what exactly does he DO?
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