RunningCloud

A question from an FM2006 vet who is a WSM2008 newbie:

What is a pre-contract deal? It's my first encounter with this term.

Early in the preseason for my Lg2 club, a couple of youngsters have signed pre-contracts that expire several years out. Do these deals insulate the youngsters from poaching by other clubs when they turn 17?

pelicanstuff

Basically, yes. It means they have already agreed to sign a pro contract when they turn 17 (or 18 in spain, I think).

RunningCloud

What confuses me is that a 16yo who turns 17 about a month from now (in 2007) signed a pre-contract through 2010. Must I sign him to a pro contract to keep him unpoachable when he turns 17 -- or will the 2010 pre-contract protect me from the vultures? My club's finances are tight and I'd like to keep these youths on the low-money deals until I can afford pro contracts for them.

stevie_G_32201

a pre-contract deal stops the bigger teams poaching the top young players from smaller clubs. a young player cant accept a contract offer from another club if he has agreed a pre-contract. the only thing that can be done to get these players is wait until they are 17 and sign a profesional contract and then approach them in the normal way you would to get anyone else.

~~Stevie G~~