The Filipino Neymar?

This appears on philstar.com

The Filipino Neymar?

by rick olivares

In a few weeks’ time, Philippine football will be treated to the debut of Levi Gimàr Di Silvà Fernandez-Lynch. Despite the Portuguese and Brazilian sounding name, Levi is a Fil-Briton with Jamaican roots.

The 21-year old 5’11” right winger who bears a resemblance to Brazilian and Barcelona footballer Neymar will be loaned by United Football League side Stallion from his current team, Scottish association club Alloa Athletic, for a period of six months with the option to renegotiate an extension.

Before suiting up for Alloa, Fernandez-Lynch played for Millwall FC’s U8-U15 teams, Leyton Orient’s U15 and U16 squads as well as Dagenham and Redbridge FC’s U16-U18 sides. A left-footed footballer, Levi also played professionally in Malta for Floriana FC and Balzan Youth. In 2010, former Philippine National Team manager Simon McMenemy was reportedly interested in inviting the boy to the pre-Suzuki Cup camps. In 2013, English League One side Coventry bid for Fernandez-Lynch’s services but the club was unable to complete the deal.

According to his England-based agent, Steve Mac, Fernandez-Lynch’s mother Charmainne Johanna Antheà Fernandez hails from Manila while his father is former Crystal Palace footballer, Rodney Lynch. Levi, who also goes by the nickname of “Fernandinho” supports Premier League club, Chelsea and League club, Millwall.

Despite what has been an aborted attempt thus far to showcase his skills to a local audience, the Stallion FC brass are excited about the arrival of Fernandez-Lynch who they believe will provide a boost to the UFL title aspirations. The 2012 UFL Cup and 2013 UFL champions have a bevy of former and current national players in Reffix Cuaresma, Bervic Italia, Ruben Doctora Jr., OJ Clarino, Simone Rota, Shirmar Felongco, and David Basa. The coaching staff likewise believes that if their new acquisition is able to fulfill his potential, they do not mind releasing him to the national side of head coach Thomas Dooley.

Levi Gimàr Di Silvà Fernandez-Lynch is expected to join Stallion come March 2015.