Davide Enrico Somma was born on 26 March 1985 and is a South African former footballer who played as a striker.
52 Facts About Davide Somma
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Davide Somma played for the South Africa national team as a striker and his most notable spell was at Leeds United.
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In November 2010 Somma made his debut for the South Africa national side against United States.
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Davide Somma serves as the men's club soccer coach for Stony Brook University.
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Davide Somma played one year of college soccer at Tyler Junior College in 2004, scoring 13 goals and registering nine assists, and being named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIV first team.
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Davide Somma signed a four-year contract with Italian Serie A club Perugia in 2004.
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However, Davide Somma never played a game for the team as Perugia's president bankrupted the club and it folded six months later.
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Davide Somma transferred to Pro Vasto, and played 39 games for the team between 2005 and 2007.
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Davide Somma later played for Olbia before returning to the United States in 2008.
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Davide Somma signed a developmental contract with the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer in September 2008 along with Michael Ghebru and made three regular season appearances for the club during the 2008 season, in addition to five reserve team appearances in which he notched two goals and three assists.
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In February 2009, Davide Somma signed a senior contract with the San Jose Earthquakes, but was placed on waivers on 26 May.
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Whilst at San Jose, he was a teammate of former Leeds United player Darren Huckerby, who encouraged Davide Somma to find a new club in England.
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In July 2009, Davide Somma took part in a trial with Queens Park Rangers and played in a pre-season fixture as a winger.
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Davide Somma scored in a pre-season friendly against Newport County and scored in friendlies against Newcastle United and Hull City, and signed a permanent contract with the club in September 2009 on a one-year deal, with an option in the club's favour to extend the contract for a further season.
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In signing for Leeds, Davide Somma became the fifth South African to play for Leeds following Gerry Francis, Albert Johanneson, Lucas Radebe and Phil Masinga.
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Davide Somma made his debut for Leeds in a reserve game against Rotherham United, and marked the game by scoring two goals.
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Davide Somma was named in the Leeds squad for the Football League Trophy game against Darlington, and made his debut when he came on as a second-half substitute.
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Davide Somma's debut ended prematurely when he suffered a hamstring injury, which meant Leeds had to play the rest of the game with 10 men having used all their substitutions.
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On 26 November, Davide Somma joined Chesterfield on loan until January 2010.
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Davide Somma had a penalty saved by Crewe goalkeeper Steve Phillips on his debut.
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Davide Somma immediately returned to a Leeds first team squad when he was named on the bench in the FA Cup replay against Tottenham Hotspur.
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On 25 February 2010, Davide Somma joined Chris Sutton's Lincoln City on a month's loan to gain some more first -team experience and scored on his debut against Crewe Alexandra two days later.
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Davide Somma had scored five goals in five games during his loan spell, and thus became Lincoln's top goal scorer for the entire season.
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Davide Somma scored a brace against Bournemouth taking his tally to seven goals in nine games for Lincoln.
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Davide Somma was given a red card for violent conduct in his final game for Lincoln City.
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Davide Somma came third in Lincoln's player of the season awards.
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Manager Chris Sutton said after Davide Somma's loan spell that he would love to bring Davide Somma back to the club on a permanent deal if he was not in Leeds' first team plans.
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Davide Somma returned to Leeds United after his spell at Lincoln ended.
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Davide Somma claimed after his debut that he could replace Jermaine Beckford and score the goals the departed hitman previously scored for Leeds.
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Davide Somma came into the starting line-up for the following match against Leicester City in the League Cup, scoring his third goal in two games.
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Davide Somma scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season against Preston North End.
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Davide Somma scored his seventh goal of the season with a left footed volley against Middlesbrough.
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In November 2010, Davide Somma entered contract negotiations with Leeds over extending his contract, signing a three-year deal on 9 November.
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In December 2010, after reports circulated in South Africa that Davide Somma had joined Swansea City on loan, Leeds denied the story and said that it was totally incorrect.
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Davide Somma came on as a second-half substitute against Scunthorpe United and scored his eighth goal of the season for Leeds.
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Seconds after coming on against Arsenal in the FA Cup replay, Davide Somma nearly scored but instead put his shot wide of the goal.
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Davide Somma scored his ninth goal of the season with his first touch of the ball after coming on as a substitute against Portsmouth.
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Davide Somma scored his 11th goal of the season against Coventry City.
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Davide Somma continued his reputation as a super-sub when he scored his 12th goal of the season with his first touch versus Norwich City.
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On 15 July 2011, Davide Somma revealed via his Twitter page that he had torn his anterior cruciate ligaments during pre-season training and would be out for at least six months.
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Davide Somma was allocated the number 28 shirt for the season.
42.
Davide Somma suffered a setback from his knee injury in February 2013, with manager Neil Warnock revealing Davide Somma had come back too quickly and that he would scale down his training.
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Davide Somma returned to full training in April 2013, and revealed that he would be available to take part in Leeds' final 5 games of the season under new manager Brian McDermott.
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Davide Somma made his playing return as a substitute against Burnley FC, however his return was short lived when it was revealed Davide Somma had damaged his knee cartilage and required an operation.
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In February 2017, Davide Somma tried to make a playing comeback when he and Striker Robbie Findley had a trial at MLS club New York Red Bulls, however both were unsuccessful with the trial and left the club on 15 February 2017.
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Davide Somma was eligible to play for his home country South Africa and Italy due to his heritage.
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Davide Somma expressed desire to play for USA but was not yet eligible.
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However ex-Leeds captain Lucas Radebe confirmed that Davide Somma told him he wanted to play for South Africa.
49.
Mosimane claimed in November 2010, that Davide Somma might be called up for Bafana Bafana's friendly against USA on 17 November, in Cape Town On 10 November, Davide Somma was named in South Africa's squad for the first time for the friendly against USA.
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On 17 November 2010, Davide Somma made his debut for Bafana Bafana against USA, wearing the number 19 shirt.
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Davide Somma was kept relatively quiet, although he provided a through ball in the first half to create one of South Africa's best chances of the match.
52.
In May 2011, South Africa legend Lucas Radebe said he believed that Davide Somma could be the next Benni McCarthy for South Africa.