retired_waughtman

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?

retired_lbils

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

retired_waughtman

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.

retired_jennwest22

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~~