Ma'el walked for over ten minutes before arriving at the administration building of the youth training center.
As he reached the door of Coach Hans' office, a staff member, who had been waiting there, stopped him, "Please wait a moment, there's someone inside."
Ma'el nodded, and soon saw a trial player who played in the midfield today walk out, a joyful smile on his face.
"Congratulations, buddy."
The other person was very happy, and naturally, this joy spread to Ma'el as well.
"You too."
Ma'el smiled slightly, took a deep breath, and then walked into the office.
About a month ago, he had been here once. At that time, it was Coach Hans who had kindly lent him a pair of shoes.
After today, it was time to return those shoes.
However, the debt of gratitude involved in this could not be repaid by simply returning a pair of shoes.
"You look great."
Hans saw Ma'el and couldn't help but smile, "It seems you know something good is about to happen."
"Of course, staying here is very important to me."
Ma'el didn't refute, stepping forward to sit opposite Hans, "For me right now, nothing could be better."
Hans, who appeared rough and tough, couldn't help but tease Ma'el at this moment, "Aren't you worried at all that I might be calling you here to bid farewell and offer some consoling words?"
Ma'el raised his eyebrows, his expression confident, clearly indicating he wasn't worried.
"Alright then."
Hans took a contract from under the table and handed it to Ma'el, "Take a look at the contract the team is offering you."
Ma'el took the contract and started flipping through it.
Hans watched his pace as he turned the pages and explained, "It's not the Arsenal Club signing with you, but the Arsenal Youth Academy. You can consider it a youth training contract, though many of the terms are the same as the first team.
"If you manage to get into the Arsenal first team, the person sitting opposite you won't be an ordinary me, but Mr. Wenger.
Hans chuckled, paused, and continued, "A weekly pay of 800 pounds, which is the highest in the youth team. Besides, there are bonuses for league appearances and goals, and bonuses for being promoted to the first team.
"In short, Arsenal Club ensures everything for young players, rewarding you with bonuses as long as you make progress."
Ma'el flipped another page and asked, "Why am I getting the highest pay?"
He knew Hans wasn't lying to him. He had talked with Gilbert before, and the highest pay in the youth team was indeed 800 pounds.
Compared to the first team, this amount wasn't much.
But in worldly terms, for someone not yet 17, being able to earn over one hundred pounds a day playing football was indeed quite good.
At least, Ma'el didn't have to worry about football shoes anymore.
If he wanted, he could focus on one series and buy a pair a week until he owned them all!
He wouldn't have to stay in a dormitory with average conditions and environment anymore. If he wished, he could rent a small place in the suburbs of London and decorate it the way he liked!
"Because of the potential you've shown recently, and your age."
Hans explained matter-of-factly, not forgetting to offer a few words of advice, "Actually, getting a contract at your age isn't that young.
"If the salary was only a few hundred pounds, we feared you might worry about living conditions and not be able to focus.
"So, this certainly can't be your endpoint. I hope you continue to move forward."
Ma'el nodded to show his understanding, turned a few more pages, and then put the contract down, "I have no objections."
Hans stood up from his seat, extended his right hand, "Pleasure working with you."
"Pleasure working with you."
Ma'el shook his hand, then, under Hans' guidance, signed his name on various parts and provided his payment account information.
A few minutes later, he left the office.
Tomorrow, after taking some official photos in the team's media room, he would officially join Arsenal U17!
It's a small step in his entire career, but a big one right now.
Walking out of the administration building, breathing in the fresh air outside, Ma'el felt everything was so wonderful, even the air was filled with a sweet aroma.
He wanted to shout out loud to release his emotions, but there were too many people around, and he was afraid of being seen as a lunatic.
"Uncle."
Making a call to his uncle, Ma'el felt very emotional, like he had endless things to say, "I've stayed, with a weekly pay of 800 pounds. I won't be coming back anytime soon, only during the winter break at the end of the year.
"Once I receive my first paycheck... I'll buy some clothes for my little sister, and gradually get some things for you guys, make sure to check when the time comes."
The voice on the other end was noticeably higher than usual, "Really? 800 pounds... That's more than I earn. Ma'el is doing well, congratulations, congratulations."
Amid footsteps, it seemed his uncle moved to another place, his voice getting further from the phone, "Ma'el stayed, earning 800 pounds a week!"
There was a burst of noise on the other end, with his aunt's surprised voice and the lively sounds of his younger siblings jumping excitedly.
Listening, Ma'el couldn't help but smile, his facial muscles feeling a bit sore from smiling so much today.
"Ay! Ay!!"
Suddenly, an anxious voice came from behind, "Ma'el, don't leave yet!"
Turning around, Ma'el saw Hans running out with a phone in hand, looking anxious yet excited, and somewhat complicated.
......
Ten minutes later, in Hans' office.
Hans sat in front of the computer, continuously moving the mouse and printing contracts, with the printer beside him continuously spitting out paper.
Ma'el and Gilbert sat opposite him, exchanging bewildered glances, feeling as if the whole world was shaking and utterly unreal.
The Championship team Sheffield United, which almost made it to the Premier League last season, wanted to loan the two of them?
After a conversation between the club's sports director and Mr. Wenger, they agreed to their loan request?
Ma'el was truly at a loss for words; he had just signed his first contract in life and now was on the brink of signing a second one.
Although he had vaguely anticipated this might happen and had fantasized about it before.
But everything had happened so suddenly.
"Clunk! Clunk!"
Hans neatly arranged the printed contracts and shook his head helplessly, "Whatever the case may be, these are the circumstances.
"The club now needs to sign a new contract with you both, this time a professional one with the Arsenal Club's first team. Your weekly pay will increase to 2500 pounds, with a contract term of 3 years and a release clause of 5 million pounds."
Ma'el and Gilbert exchanged glances, took the contracts dazedly, and began to read through them.
Hans didn't stop, continuing to print another contract while explaining, "If you agree to the loan, Sheffield United Club will cover the full amount of this salary, with additional salary bonus clauses.
"For instance, after 10 appearances for the club, your weekly pay will increase to 8000 pounds, and for 20 appearances, it will rise to 20,000 pounds; if you play in a match and the team earns 3 points, 3,000 pounds, 1 point, 1,000 pounds. Each goal gives you 2,500 pounds, and each assist, 1,500 pounds..."
As soon as he finished, the throats of the two sitting across from him moved violently, "Agreed."*2
Hans was taken aback, realizing he probably didn't need to say much more, just let them sign the contracts.
Indeed, the bonus standards and training value of a professional team were incredibly attractive to these youth team kids.
Isn't that a Championship team?
That's the best place to raise your value, a mountain of cash piled up in pounds!