Bobby Convey Bio Send To Friend  

On 22 July 2004, American Bobby Convey signed for Reading from DC United. A player emerges through the ranks of American soccer every couple of years who creates a major stir and Convey was that 'wonder-kid' not so long ago.

The youngest player to be drafted by an MLS side when he signed for D.C. United in 2000, he made a big impression in his first season and that led to a move by Premiership giants Tottenham to lure him to London. That transfer came to nothing, but this gifted performer eventually found his way into English soccer with Reading.

The start of his career in England lacked distinction, as Convey could not play his way into Reading's first team during the 2004-05 season.

But the following season saw him begin in much better form. A starting place in the team gave the American confidence and he banged in his first goals for the club in a 5-0 win over Millwall.

He was named the 10th best player in the Football League, before helping the club to promotion in 2005/06.

Convey's success is even better considering he is partially blind in his left eye due to optic nerve damage.

He was not able to impress in the Premiership however, as he missed much of the remainder of the season following a training ground injury in October 2006.

Subsequent operations kept him out of the side and he will be keen to show what he has to offer in the 2007/08 campaign.

Convey's sister, Kelly, is a fine player in her own right for Penn State in the USA.