U.S. ABROAD: Davies, 17, signs with Southampton

Kyle Davies, one of the nation's top young defensive prospects, has signed a three-year contract with English League Championship (second division) club Southampton.

Davies, 17, spent two years in the U.S. U-17 residency program in Bradenton, Fla., and was a late cut from the U.S. under-20 national team that qualified recently for this summer's U-20 World Cup in Canada.

Davies' father is Welsh, and his mother is English, so he qualifies for a British work permit.

Davies, who attended California High School in San Ramon, Calif., for two years and played for Ballistic United, will join another former U-17 resident Andrew Giallombardo in the Saints' youth system.