Signing professional terms is an exciting milestone, but with contracts, negotiations and sometimes agents involved, it’s important to know where to seek the right support.
Signing Professional
The PFA provides a Player Services team who can explain regulations related to contracts and transfers. They will clarify expectations, discuss your contract obligations and help you understand the legal considerations that might impact you and your career.
Your Player Services representative will also signpost where to find additional support should you need it.
Agents
LFE advises contacting The PFA before deciding whether to sign with an agent. The PFA will be able to offer advice on the pros and cons and the costs involved.
Apprentices are not obliged to sign with an agent and could represent themselves or consult with a solicitor. Players can use close relations to act as their agent (e.g. parents, siblings etc.) but only if there is no payment for their services.
Should you choose not to contact The PFA for advice, full guidance can be obtained from The FA website.
FA regulations ensure only FIFA-licensed agents can perform football agent services. Agents must be properly qualified and licensed, with a FIFA Football Agent Exam required for individuals to get a license.
The function of an agent is to:
- Represent the client’s best interests
- Assist in negotiations with clubs
- Provide professional support and assistance with career and career development
- Arrange commercial deals
- Look after press/media issues, if appropriate.
If you are in doubt as to the status of an agent, ask to see proof, contact The FA or check The FA’s website, which lists all authorised agents.
For any career-related issues, your Player Services representative at The PFA should be your first point of contact.
Agents in England are registered and monitored by the Player Status team at The FA.