For any young player who wants to become a professional footballer, it is necessary to master the different kinds of available contracts. Whatever the contract is, whether an apprentice, an aspirant, a trainee, or a professional, it is subjected to the Professional Footballer’s Charter. The latter will be governed by the French Football Federation and the National Union of Professional Footballers, which lays down the players’ and clubs’ working conditions, rights, and duties. You can consult the Professional Footballer’s Charter for further details.
This paper, therefore, gives an overview of the various contracts in football, explaining their peculiarities and what they mean for young players. Knowing the implications of each contract is important, whether it is an apprentice contract, an aspiring contract, a trainee contract, or a professional contract.
Similarities and differences between football contracts and corporate employment contracts
Common points
Differences
First, football contracts share many characteristics with traditional employment contracts. They have a detailed description of the obligations and rights of the parties. Just like any other employment contract, they stipulate the framework of the relationship that is going to exist between player and club, including working conditions, training schedules, and expected performances. Second, most football contracts detail aspects such as remunerations, match bonuses, and other related financial benefits, much like companies do with bonuses.
The differences are huge, too. Besides traditional contracts, football contracts highly emphasize athletic performance and career goals. The length is shorter: it goes from several months to several years, but very seldom is it as long as it would have been in companies. Transfer clauses, pertaining only to a football environment, enable clubs to sell or lend players to other teams, something that has no direct equivalent in corporate contracts. Finally, football contracts include special provisions related to injuries, insurance coverage, and the player’s image rights, according to the peculiarities of professional sports.
What are contracts in football?
The type of contract that a club will offer a football player will depend on the club, the age, the project, and the level of the player. A summary of the main types of contracts available, ranging from young apprentices to confirmed professionals, is as follows.
The apprentice contract
The aspirant contract is for young players between 16 and 18, usually in clubs with an approved training center. It lasts one to three years. A player in an aspirant contract benefits from professional supervision and support while he is continuing his education. The aspirant receives a salary of 500 to 1,000 euros per month and sometimes match bonuses. This contract prepares young players for the next level by strengthening their training and commitment to the club.
The aspirant contract
The contract of an apprentice targets young players who are usually between 15 and 18 years of age. Such contracts are provided by those clubs that have accredited training centers. The length of such a contract ranges from one to three years. It allows young talents to follow intensive sports training while continuing their studies. Generally, an apprentice’s remuneration ranges from 300 to 700 euros per month, according to age and experience. This type of contract is a step toward professionalism, giving the young player a sound basis for technical and tactical development.
The intern contract
The trainee contract is offered to those between 18 and 22 who have already made great potential on the field. As for now, this contract is hardly used because clubs prefer to make a professional contract directly. The usual length of this contract is one or two years. Through the professional training they get, the remunerations are increased and competitive, ranging from 1,000 to 2,500 euros per month. This contract serves as an interlude between the training levels and the professional football world, where more performance is expected, with more opportunities given to prove their worth on the pitch.
The pro or elite contract
The professional contract, better known as the elite contract, is for players who have proven their worth and potential on the pitch. It may be signed from the age of 18 years upwards and takes a duration of one to five years. Professional clubs include Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, where the pro contract is offered. The remuneration for a pro contract is very different, going from 2,500 euros per month for a new professional to much higher salaries for established players, in addition to performance bonuses and image rights. This contract is the genuine gateway into professional football, as it entails heavy investment on the part of the club and high athletic expectations.
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It is very important to understand the different types of contracts available within the football realm to help youngsters trying to make it into the professional ranks. Each contract has different opportunities and challenges, ranging from an apprentice to a professional. By knowing the exact specifics of each type of contract, young players can be better prepared for their carreer, thereby making the most of the opportunities that come their way in the world of football.
