The Art of Presenting Yourself as a Free Agent: A Guide from an Experienced FIFA Football Agent
The journey to becoming a free agent in the world of professional football is an arduous one. It demands unwavering dedication, relentless motivation, and the ability to stay positive in the face of uncertainty.
As an experienced FIFA Football Agent, I’ve witnessed a recurring frustration among players – the failure to understand the importance of presenting themselves effectively to professional teams. Many players fall short of showcasing their talents properly. In a fiercely competitive arena, where countless players vie for the same opportunities, it’s essential to stand out. The game can be ruthless, swiftly discarding talent that doesn’t meet the grade.
It’s disheartening to see players, who claim to be eager to secure professional contracts, struggle to provide simple information about their background, career, strengths, successes, and aspirations. Sending just a brief video and an inaccurate TransferMarkt link isn’t sufficient to inspire an agent or a club to support or sign you. The responsibility to present yourself effectively lies with you, the player. It doesn’t have to be overly elaborate; your Football Resume simply needs to convey the facts clearly and concisely.
Here are some valuable suggestions to help you present yourself effectively to professional teams:
1: Building Your Football Resume
Begin with the basics. Your Football Resume should include the following essential information:
- Full Name: (Registered Name / Football Name)
- Date of Birth
- Nationality / Passports
- Current Location
- EU?
- Height
- Favoured Foot
- Main Position
- Alternative Position
2: Career History & Key Statistics
For players under 23 looking to sign their first professional contract, include all the professional teams you’ve been a part of since the age of 12. This is crucial for training compensation purposes. For players already professional and over 23, focus on professional clubs since the age of 16. Make sure to include the club’s name, league tier, and key statistics, tailored to your position. Keep your game stats up-to-date if you’re sharing your Football Resume mid-season. While including basic statistics, remember that the goal is to make a positive introduction and generate interest, as most teams have access to their own player data and video footage.
3: Personal Information & Contact Details
Accurate contact information is essential for professional teams. Maintain a professional image and ensure it’s easy for teams to reach you. Provide your WhatsApp, email address, and phone number. In the football world, much of the communication happens through WhatsApp. Use a personal profile picture or an action shot of yourself, and display your name clearly. Make a strong first impression to instil confidence in clubs that they are contacting the right person. If you have an agent, include their information to avoid confusion during negotiations.
4: Showcase Your Strengths
Within your Football Resume, highlight your strengths as a player. Choose five to six strengths that you are confident in delivering and feature them in your full-game and highlight videos. These strengths should be position-specific. For example, if you’re a striker, your strengths might include natural goal-scoring ability, strength in the air, mobility, work ethic, ball control, and experience as a target man.
5: Player Achievements
Set yourself apart from other free agents by showcasing your playing achievements. This could include trophies, personal accolades (such as team of the week or player of the month), and international honors. If you have a significant international career, consider including a separate section in your football resume.
6: Highlight / Full Game Videos
While most clubs have access to game footage, you can’t rely on them having footage of you. Enhance your promotion efforts by creating video highlights showcasing your abilities. The video should be recent (preferably from the past season) and should last between 5-10 minutes. Ensure it’s clear who you are in the video, either through player highlights or written explanations. Include your position, shirt number, and any distinguishing features. If you’re a goalkeeper, create a compilation of your training drills.
Upload your video to online platforms like YouTube or Vimeo for easy sharing and viewing. It also simplifies sharing on social media channels. Access to full-game videos is vital; select games from the current season, preferably not older than six months, and make them available through services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
So What’s Next?
Now that you have your Football Resume, what’s the next step? Our next blog post will cover player promotion. However, our initial tip is to avoid spamming your Football Resume to everyone. Doing so can damage your credibility, and your messages may be ignored. Instead, research clubs, scouts, and agents carefully. Be realistic about your playing level and approach potential contacts with respect and professionalism.
We wish you the best of luck in finding your next professional club.
If you need assistance with your football resume, feel free to get in touch, and we’d be delighted to discuss your options.
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