Signing Fee

Hans quickly printed out the loan contracts, bound them together, and handed them to Maël and Gilbert.

The bonus and salary clauses Hans had just mentioned were written clearly on them, along with a few other details.

Maël studied them carefully to make sure he was not being tricked.

It was not that he did not trust Arsenal and Sheffield United Team. Mainly, he still found it hard to believe that his status had changed twice in a single day.

From trialist to academy player, from academy player to First Team member!

He had even received a loan offer from a Championship team! His hands trembled slightly, and his whole body was wrapped in surprise and happiness.

Only an idiot would refuse to sign this contract. Even though he was still under fairly severe pressure to improve his ability, and even though he had just decided to add Crossing Skill and Dribbling Skill training.

But grinding proficiency at Colney Training Base on an £800 weekly wage, versus grinding proficiency in the Championship First Team at Sheffield United Team on a £2,500 weekly wage—

Anyone would know what to choose.

He did not harbor the unrealistic hope that he would be able to play in the Championship as soon as he arrived. People could not aim too high, or they would only make themselves unhappy.

"I'll go there first and adapt slowly, then work harder in private to raise the proficiency of all my skills."

Maël flipped through the contract and made up his mind. My first goal is to make the Squad List for official matches and experience the professional stage up close.

He was not in a hurry. The Proficiency Panel was his greatest source of confidence.

As long as he could maintain self-discipline and keep putting in the work, he would continue improving, and sooner or later, he would get his chance! "Hmm."

Maël suddenly placed a hand on his chin, putting on a convincing imitation of a star player in negotiations. "Please tell Sheffield United Team that I hope to receive a base weekly wage of £4,000. £2,500 does not meet my expectations."

Gilbert whipped his head around, eyes wide.

Hans froze for a moment, then stretched out his right hand with a speechless expression and pointed toward the door.

"Hahahaha." The three of them doubled over and burst out laughing together.

As they laughed, the mirth deep in their eyes gradually faded. Though laughter still came from their mouths, their thoughts had long since drifted elsewhere.

Hans felt proud that the U17 team he led had produced two Championship loanees, and he fondly thumped both of them on the shoulders.

As for Maël and Gilbert, they were mostly processing the fact that they were really about to go out on loan. There was excitement and anticipation at joining a professional team, but also nerves about the uncertainty ahead.

"All right."

Hans smiled in relief and returned to the main topic. "Moving up from the youth team to the First Team, then joining Sheffield United Team on loan from the First Team—both of these 'transfers' will come with a Signing Fee.

"The bonus for moving up to the First Team that comes with your academy contract is not included in this Signing Fee. This counts as extra income for you, and Arsenal and Sheffield will pay it immediately.

"As for what you use it for, I won't say much. I just hope you can use it properly as much as possible, and arrange a decent place to live for yourselves in Sheffield."

Maël and Gilbert did not speak. They simply stared at Hans with shining eyes, waiting expectantly to hear the amount of the Signing Fee.

They still did not have the qualifications to negotiate terms with the club, and this was also their first time dealing with these things, so they did not understand the ins and outs.

So the club could only offer, and they would accept.

"Added together, the two payments come to £50,000 each."

Hans held up five fingers, made a simple calculation, then continued, "After taxes and fees, Thirty Thousand Pounds will end up in your hands. This includes the £40,000 loan fee Sheffield United Team paid to the club, as well as the £60,000 added by the club."

"Say no more."

Gilbert suddenly stood up, as if afraid Hans would go back on it, and swiftly extended his right hand. "Pleasure doing business."

Maël sprang up just as quickly, grinning so widely he could hardly close his mouth. "Let's sign it."

After completing the signing, Maël and Gilbert were only given half a day to pack and prepare.

After the two of them walked out of the Administration Building, they exchanged a smile. Without saying much, they each headed toward their own dormitory.

There would be plenty of time for them to get along in the future. For now, it was better to settle everything as soon as possible and set off tomorrow.

That night, Maël packed all his luggage, then strolled through Colney Training Base, looking over this place where he had spent several months.

Especially around the U17 training ground, the youth team gym, and places like that. Once he left this time, there was a good chance he would never return to them.

As long as a person had shed sweat in one place for a long time and experienced all its joys and hardships, they would inevitably develop feelings for that place.

Not to mention, Maël had gained the greatest turning point of his life here, and it had truly changed his fate.

At this moment, the reluctance of parting welled up in Maël's heart.

Most of the time, compared with leaving in pain, leaving happily made people feel even more attached.

Because with the former, what you left behind in a place were painful memories. With the latter, it was exactly the opposite—he had left all his most wonderful and most exciting moments here.

"Leon, why did you hang up so quickly back then?"

After dialing his uncle's number, Maël chose to share the joy of his day with his family, and also to dilute the reluctance he felt at this moment. A bright, hearty voice came from the other end. "Is there some other good news?"

It seemed they still had not come down from the joy of "their nephew getting an £800 weekly wage."

For an ordinary family that had always been supporting four children—

One of the children had earned enough through the sport he loved to support himself, and could even occasionally help the family out. That was indeed wonderful news.

"A little."

Maël chuckled softly, feeling the emotion coming from the other end, his voice trembling slightly. "Sheffield United Team wants to take me on loan. I just signed the contract this afternoon.

"My weekly wage is now 2,500 pounds, with all kinds of bonuses, plus a generous signing fee. I'll send 3,000 pounds home first. Use it to buy some things for my little sister and the family. This time, I won't have a chance to come back for Christmas either."

There was no winter break in the English professional leagues. On Christmas Day, there was usually even a Boxing Day battle.

Right after that, January was packed with fixtures too, making it the most grueling league in the world.

"Two thousand five hundred pounds a week?! After tax, that should be... 1,500 pounds. Over a year, counting 52 weeks..."

His uncle's voice started trembling too. He swallowed hard. "Leon, don't lie to me. Is all of this really true??"

"Maël's on the phone?"

"Brother! Brother!"

A burst of noise came from the other end of the line. It seemed his aunt and little sister had crowded in beside his uncle.

"It's true, and this isn't the end of it."

Maël took a deep breath and added, "If I can play 10 matches for Sheffield, my weekly wage will be 8k. At 20 matches, it'll be 20k."

"Oh...!"

It sounded as if the people on the other end were about to faint. After a flurry of commotion, his uncle said, "Leon, supporting your football dream really was the greatest stroke of luck in my life. I've often felt guilty that I couldn't give you the best conditions, but thankfully you've made something of yourself. You have to keep going!

"Take care of yourself first before thinking about the family. I'm... I'm so grateful you're still thinking of us. If there's a match, you must tell us in advance!"

His aunt and little sister on the other end seemed to grow anxious, repeatedly asking his uncle what had happened and why he was saying so much.

After his uncle explained the whole story to them, his aunt seemed to suddenly shut down, saying nothing for a long time.

Only his little sister Ava was simple-minded and just felt happy, bouncing around as she laughed. "Brother's amazing! Brother has to buy me pizza!"

Listening to the voices on the other end, Maël smiled knowingly, utterly happy.

Giving made him feel that he was truly, tangibly alive in this world.

Tomorrow, he would set off!