When can a footballer be represented by a football agent?
A prerequisite for a football agent to be able to represent a football player is that a representation agreement has been entered into between the agent and the player.
A footballer is only allowed to sign a representative contract with an agent six months before he can sign a professional contract. However, a representation contract with a player under the age of 18 must also be signed by the player's parent. It will often be the parent of a young player who has the closest contact with the agent, and it is therefore important that the agent has the trust of both the player and his family.
The challenges faced by young players
A lot of young players have high ambitions and spend a lot of time on football, but very few of the players who invest in football succeed in creating careers as professional football players. Whether a player defies the odds by slipping through the eye of the needle, and manages to establish himself as a professional footballer or not, will depend on many factors. Some of these invoices are within the player's control, e.g. the player's attitude, determination, stamina, physique, mental strength and willingness to train. Other factors are not, such as the club's demands and opportunities, a coach's tactical preferences and style of play, natural abilities, the ability to withstand training and avoid injuries and even luck.
Something that is within a young player's control, and that can a player's success, is his choice of agent. Choosing the right agent certainly does not guarantee a player a career as a professional footballer, but a poor choice of agent can lead to missed opportunities.
After a few years where anyone could in principle be an agent, through the so-called intermediary scheme introduced by FIFA and the national football associations, including NFF, it has now, since 2023, been reintroduced a requirement that an agent must be licensed and approved by FIFA in order to operate as an agent. The consequence of a player choosing an agent who is not licensed by FIFA could be that both the player and the club are sanctioned, e.g. with fines and bans from matches. The club also risks being banned from transfer windows, which in practice means that they will not be able to sign new players for the duration of the ban. The first thing a young player should therefore check is whether the person who will be able to represent the player is actually certified by FIFA. In Norway, there are about 40 licensed agents, and all of them have received a certificate from FIFA, similar to this:
Furthermore, FIFA and NFF require that in order to represent underage players (minors), i.e. players under the age of 18, the agent must undergo a separate course that specifically deals with the representation of underage players. All agents who are certified to represent underage players have this specified in the certificate from FIFA. Violation of this provision, i.e. where players are represented by agents who are not certified to represent underage players, may also lead to sanctions against the club, player and agent.
A football agent’s tasks
An agent can act as a mentor and help the player with his mental, physical, technical, and tactical development. An agent should also make sure to have a good relationship with key decision-makers in the club, such as development managers and sporting directors, and should advocate for the player and his development in discussions with the club.
If it appears that a player will not be bet on by a club, or if the player himself does not want to stay, the agent should work with the player and the club to find the next opportunity for the player. An agent should have experience in handling contract negotiations, which will be key when the player reaches a level where a professional contract is appropriate.
Furthermore, an agent can play an important role in assembling a team of advisors around a player during their career. Putting together the right team of individuals to provide the player with the best advice can have a huge impact not only on the player's career but also on his life after football.
Issues to consider when choosing a football agent
When choosing which agent to work with, there are a number of different things to consider. What does the player want from an agent and how involved does the player want the agent to be in their career? Some players want close contact with their agent, while others only want an agent to assist with transfers and negotiate player contracts with clubs.
How knowledgeable is the agent? It is important that they have detailed knowledge of how a player's contract at a club compares to other players of the same age, level and position, so that they are able to set reasonable expectations and reasonable goals in discussions with the player and the club.
Does the agent have a good reputation in the industry? While what others think of the agent may seem less important than what the player thinks, it is important to know that the agent's reputation is not going to hinder the player's career in any way.
What experience does the agent have? Competence in transitions and contract negotiations are skills that are developed over time, and are not only achieved by registering as an agent.
If the player might be interested in an international transfer, does the agent have connections abroad? Some agents will have strong ties to foreign clubs or agents, or may be part of a wider network internationally.
Do the player and his parents get along with the agent? Although a player's relationship with an agent is essentially a business relationship, it is likely to be far healthier and more productive if the player and his family members like the agent.
Is the agent able to represent the player in accordance with FA regulations in the player's country? Each country's national federation will have its own rules governing agents, and if an agent fails to comply with these rules, it may prevent the agent from providing the full representation services the player expects, and in the worst case, the player will be sanctioned and prevented from playing.
Deciding on the agent
For a young and ambitious player, choosing an agent is a big decision, as this agent could have a significant effect on his football career.
The best thing a player can do when choosing an agent is to take their time, find out what he really wants from an agent, and consider who would be best suited to deliver it to him. If the player has any doubts, it can be a good idea to talk to other people about the choice, whether it's family members, teammates, people at the football club, or a lawyer who works in football.
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