Luke-Jordan David jets off to US on football scholarship

Eighteen-year-old Luke-Jordan Davids will be pursuing his dreams of studying at an American university on a football scholarship.

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Hard work, perseverance and faith have paid off for 18-year-old Luke-Jordan David, who will be jetting off to America at the end of June on a football scholarship. He will pursue a double major in Biology and Data Analysis at Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, joining their soccer team as part of the Fall 2026 signing.

With family roots in Phoenix and Richards Bay, Luke completed his matric at Steyn City School in last year. He played for three years at Johannesburg-based Transition Football Club, which is affiliated with Gulf United FC, Dubai's leading football academy and professional club.

Luke explained that Gulf United hosted scholarship trials for three days in Johannesburg a few months ago.

"They got back to me saying that I have been selected to be part of the agency. We had a meeting and using my Grade 11 statistics, I had three offers from different universities. I chose Mid-America."

"I felt excited when I heard the good news. It was a good feeling. This is something that I have been dreaming about and working towards. I thank God for the opportunity and I am looking forward to the experience."

Luke's love for football began when he was six years old.

"My parents did not know that I liked football at the time. I would crunch up tin foil and kick it around. Later they did buy me a plastic ball, but still they did not take me seriously. Eventually, they bought me a real football and made a place for me outside to play."

The goal, he said, is to go pro after college. "I want to play until I am about forty. Then the plan is to fall back on my studies and hopefully enter the biotech industry."

He remembers his early days at football, describing them as "horrendous", with nothing working. "I never grew up being good at football. It was only in Grade 8 when I started getting better. I was an average player who played in the B team and would just make A team. But there was a strong desire that kept me pushing and my faith."

"Trials were difficult, and there was competition from everyone who had the same dream. I began balancing sports with matric. I needed to be playing a lot and my studies, acting, guitar and being constant with everything. I did work hard but God orchestrated this to work."

Luke also credits his parents, Sharon and Reggie, for keeping him motivated and supporting his dreams.

"My mum has always supported me in pursuing my dreams. This move will be a bit of a sting for her because it is so far, but she has always been supportive of me. As was my dad. They would bring me to all my games and watch the games. My dad will give me advice on how to play better. They have always been transparent as to what they want from me, academically, and I was honest with my dreams. At the end of the day, their support meant a lot."

Sharon shared Luke's sentiments when it came to his faith. "Luke-Jordan's journey was shaped by his strong faith in God, support from church members, perseverance, determination and resilience. We are extremely proud of his achievements. Reach for the stars. We are excited to share and grow with you on this journey," she said.

Sharon also sees Luke as an inspiration to other young people with dreams.

"There are a lot of young people, especially in areas like Phoenix, who dream but don't feel they can make those dreams come true. Luke serves as an inspiration to those dreams."

Wishing Luke well on his journey, Transition Football Academy Director Claudio Lorenzani said, "Luke has developed leaps and bounds in the last three years. In the last year, he has scored and assisted in vital games as part of our Hollywood Bets Team. With football so big in the US at the moment, he will have a chance at the dual dream of playing and having the safety net of a brilliant education, which is what we as a club strive for our players to have."