The Next Big Thing
Chapter 87: Manchester united contract

Chapter 87: Manchester united contract

David Jones sat on his bed, his mind racing. For weeks now, he’d been wrestling with a decision that had been weighing heavily on him: joining Manchester United. It wasn’t just about the move itself, though—his parents’ disapproval had been tough to handle, especially his father’s. The last phone call they had shared ended in silence, and David hadn’t reached out since. He knew his father was stubborn, but he also recognized that he, too, had inherited that same trait. It bothered him, but he refused to be the one to make the first move. After all, he was the child. His father should have been the one to make peace.

Despite the tension, David continued sending part of his paycheck home. The rest sat idly in the account his mom had opened for him. The money was stacking up, and though he had always craved wealth, now that he was making thousands of pounds every week, he found himself at a loss. He was too young to fully enjoy the luxury, and he didn’t quite know what to do with it all except for a few purchases he was planning on making and.

David knew exactly what he wanted next: a sports car. He was saving up for it, money felt so liberating. Growing up working in his father’s shop, not knowing what the future held, had shaped him. Now, with his Manchester United salary expected to be at least double what he was earning, he couldn’t wait to splurge on the car of his dreams.

Despite the fallout—the disappointment from his father, his coach, the loss of his best (and only) friend, and the tension with his teammates—David couldn’t shake the excitement of playing for his childhood club. He imagined himself in the iconic red and white, playing in Manchester. The rest of his worries seemed far less important in comparison.

Wayne, while still a little distant, it wasn’t too bad with them talking a little since their talk in the locker room. As for Jason, David had never really been the type to make close friends or even friends in general, so losing Jason hurt—enough to bring him to tears—but he knew he’d get over it. Maybe his ability to make friends had been another thing sacrificed along with his academic talents as compensation for his God given talents in the world of football, but thinking about the gamer girl he’d been friends with made him dismiss it all. As for his teammates—well, his soon-to-be ex-teammates—he could care less. To hell with them. They were just salty people who hated him because they weren’t him.

As for his dad, David didn’t think much needed to be said. They were family, and somehow, he knew it would get sorted out—especially with his overbearing and loving mother still in the picture. There was no real possibility of him and his dad falling out for good. Speaking of his mother, he’d been talking to her a lot recently. She had been incredibly worried about him, even volunteering to break lockdown rules to come see him. But he’d managed to talk her out of it.

While everyone expected David to be salty and upset over losing everyone around him—yes, he was but today wasn’t one of those days. Today, he was waiting for the phone call that would decide his future.

And, just like that, his iPhone 11 Pro buzzed. It was a phone he had always dreamed of owning before he finally bought it. He picked it up without hesitation.

"Is it ready?" he asked.

He heard a hearty laugh from the other end of the line.

"Kid, we are about to be rich—rich, I tell you!" Jonathan, who had taken over the role as his agent, said, his voice full of energy. "I told you this would be worth it. Once you see what they’re offering, you won’t have a single regret. Even your dad will be thanking me afterward, saying, ’Thank you for bringing this deal.’"

David leaned in, feeling the excitement bubble up inside him. "Okay, okay... just tell me how much they’re offering," he urged.

Jonathan’s smile seemed to shine through even over the phone. "I’ll send it over to your email now. Just make sure you’re seated when you read it," he said, his voice full of anticipation.

David bounced on his bed, the excitement building as he thought about how much the offer could really be. Jonathan’s over-the-top reaction had him wondering if it was something truly game-changing, but then again, he thought, considering what Jonathan had been wearing when they first met, that probably wasn’t a good standard of measurement. David couldn’t help but laugh, imagining how Jonathan would have reacted if he’d seen his Derby contract—it probably would have sent him into a frenzy, too.

After a few minutes, his phone pinged. He quickly refreshed his email, having been on it since the phone call. A few seconds later, he saw it: "Manchester United Contract for Player David Jones."

He clicked on it, heart racing as he read:

CONTRACT AGREEMENT

This Agreement is made on the [Date] between:

Manchester United Football Club Ltd

(Registered Address: Old Trafford, Manchester, M16 0RA, United Kingdom)

(Hereinafter referred to as "Club")

and

David Jones

(Registered Address: [Player’s Address])

(Hereinafter referred to as "Player")

1. TERM OF AGREEMENT

This contract is for a period of three (3) years commencing from [Start Date] and ending on [End Date], unless terminated earlier as stipulated in this Agreement.

2. PLAYER’S OBLIGATIONS AND SALARY

The Player agrees to represent the Club for the duration of this contract.

The Club will pay the Player a weekly salary of £30,000 before taxes.The Player is entitled to receive a signing bonus of £200,000 upon execution of this Agreement.The Player’s agent will receive an agent signing bonus of £50,000 upon execution of this Agreement.

3. APARTMENT AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

The Club will provide the Player with a luxury apartment located in Manchester, with rent and maintenance paid by the Club for the duration of the contract.

4. PERFORMANCE BONUS AND INCENTIVES

The Player is entitled to the following performance-based bonuses:

If the Player scores 5 league goals in a season, he will receive £5,000.If the Player scores 10 league goals in a season, he will receive £10,000.The Player will receive an additional £1,000 for each additional goal scored thereafter.If the Player plays more than 20 matches and scores more than 30 goals with a minimum of 60 minutes per match, the Player will be entitled to an appearance fee to be mutually agreed upon between the Club and the Player.

5. IMAGE RIGHTS AND PROMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The Club will own the Player’s image rights for the duration of this contract.The Player agrees to make himself available for promotional activities, including but not limited to advertisements, sponsorships, and public appearances, as requested by the Club, provided these activities do not interfere with his footballing commitments.The Player agrees to shoot promotional videos and participate in advertising campaigns as requested by the Club.

6. ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE BONUSES

If the Player wins the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, or Premier League with the Club, the Player will receive an additional bonus to be determined at the discretion of the Club.The Player will receive additional bonuses for individual achievements as per the Club’s standard incentive scheme.

7. BREAKOUT CLAUSE

The Player may be transferred to another club at the Club’s discretion. If such a transfer occurs, the Player agrees to a breakout clause of €25,000,000. The Club may choose to accept or decline an offer based on the transfer negotiations.

8. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PROFESSIONS

The Player is eligible to participate in Champions League matches during the term of this contract, provided he is selected by the Club’s manager.

9. IMAGE RIGHTS MANAGEMENT

The Club shall have the exclusive right to use the Player’s name, likeness, voice, and image for commercial purposes, including, but not limited to, merchandise, advertisements, and media content, within the scope of the Player’s involvement with the Club.

10. MISCELLANEOUS

This contract is subject to the laws of the United Kingdom and any disputes shall be resolved through arbitration as per the rules of the Football Association. Both parties agree to maintain confidentiality regarding the terms of this Agreement, except as required by law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on the date written above:

For Manchester United Football Club Ltd:

(Signature)

Name: [Club Representative]

Title: [Position]

Date: [Date]

For the Player (David Jones):

(Signature)

Name: David Jones

Date: [Date]

Reading through the contract, David’s initial reaction was pure shock. "Damn, £30k per week? That’s triple what I’m making right now," he muttered to himself, eyes wide. "I don’t even have to save anymore—I can fucking use it all and buy the car." His grin widened as he kept reading, seeing the goal bonuses. The thought of racking up more money had him smiling to himself. "Well, they made their bed," he chuckled.

But as he read further, any small shred of regret he might have had faded. He was excited now—this was the moment he had been waiting for. He couldn’t wait to begin his time at Manchester United. But just as his excitement peaked, his phone rang again. Seeing that it was Jonathan, he answered quickly.

"Hey, Jonathan," he said.

Jonathan’s voice came through the phone, brimming with excitement. "Well, what did I tell you, kid? Manchester means business! They’re even offering you an apartment! Eh eh, did I tell you or what?"

David chuckled, already imagining the next steps. Jonathan, however, was already planning how to spend the £50k signing fee. But David’s next words stopped him cold.

"Hey, Jonathan, I can’t sign this."

Jonathan immediately freaked out. "What? Why? Don’t do this, kid. I thought we were past all that. Is it because of your coach? Did he talk to you? I’ve told you already—"

David quickly cut him off, wanting to make sure there was no misunderstanding. "No, no, it’s not that. It’s just... I’m underage. I need one of my parents to sign the contract," he explained.

Jonathan, momentarily stunned by the realization, slapped his forehead, groaning.

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