confused!!

[ilovemarkb]

scenario....15yr old boy (nearly 16) is coming to the end of a 3yr contract with football club. The same boy is offered a 2 yr scholarship (with same club) and given 28days to sign...but the 3 year contract doesnt run out till after the 28 day period. The boy has found out that other clubs are interested but it seems that the boy is tied in and has no choice to look about! does this boy have no options but to sign and stay! thankyou!!


(posted in two sections)

[wilkesneil]

isn't there a law that says you can't sign a pro contract until 17???
the scholar is the only contract allowed to be offered, best thing is see what other clubs want him and consider the following factors,
chances of playing?
chances of progressing as all to often we see young players go to big clubs to play in a 3rd string team for many years where they could have stayed at the smaller club, made a move to a bigger club staedily progressing and in the spotlight, (if he's playing he'll get noticed at some point).

not sure if they did change the rules of signing youngsters but it was 17 and still think it is.

[ilovemarkb]

its all double dutch to me. thanks for the advice.

[wilkesneil]

i know wolves have a good youth policy these days (being a wolves fan anyway)
and we have a kid who's just signed his 1st pro contract a month after his 17th birthday, he was on a scholarship (old yts i think), man city and chelsea were sniffing but even though there isn't a proper contract they still belong to the club.

[Buenchico]

As I've just written on your other thread, a minor can't enter into a legally binding contract. That's why someone under 18 can't get a 'contract' mobile phone (without the backing of an adult guarantor) and that's why the 'contracts' which young footballers sign with professional clubs have no legal standing.

Chris

[factor-fiction]

Regardless of the legal aspects, he doesn't have to agree to the scholarship yet. He should leave it and start considering any other offers. If his current club really wants him they'll make another offer surely.

[ilovemarkb]

thanks guys for all your very helpful answers, very interesting!!!