With more and more American female players making Europe their destination I have heard of and have seen some troubling situations when it comes to agreements and understandings. As women’s football in Europe grows, bigger resources are available. Yet, in many countries American players are stereotyped as cheap, eager, naive and willing to take any deal.
I offer this unsolicited advice:
1. Have a FIFA licensed agent represent your interests. Things can and will go wrong. He or she will protect your interest.
2. Don’t trust anyone. Smiles, kind words and pleasant faces are misleading.
3. Even if you trust someone be involved in the process and aware of what is going on at all times.
4. Always get everything in writing.
5. Don’t move a muscle before all the details are explained to your satisfaction, finalized, approved and signed.
6. If you are going to play in a pro league and all is offered to you is room and board, they found a sucker.
7. If the other party tells you that’s all they can do because they don’t have much money, it’s better to move on.
8. Never take their first offer.
9. Don’t just let it go or settle on things. Protect your interests and demand what is contractually yours.
10. Always have a plan B.
2 Comments
yeah. this are good advices, truly, especially for Russia!
You would think these women would know to be a bit more savvy considering the experiences I’m sure they had or heard of in the scholarship-getting process of Division I/II collegiate soccer!