Secure your future - Football agent Ralph talks up Egypt as destination for big payday for local players

Football agent Damani Ralph says that the recent transfers of national players Damion Lowe and Romario Williams to the Egyptian Premier League will cause others to consider options that will secure their financial future when their playing careers are finished.

Both Lowe and Williams signed with Al Ittihad Alexandria in November and December, respectively, ending their previous stints in the United Soccer League, the United States’ second tier football division.

Ralph says that the effects that COVID-19 has had on the transfer market, as well as the need for players to seek opportunities to maximise on earning potential, played a role in destinations that have not been previously considered.

“When we look at it from a financial standpoint, as a football player, you have a very short shelf life to maximise your playing ability,” Ralph told The Gleaner. “Obviously, every player has aspirations to play for the biggest clubs in the world, but there’s also a time limit when you can achieve that in your playing career and as players get to a certain age, there comes that reality of ‘Okay, what am I doing this for? How am I going to set up myself for my after-football career?’

I think you are seeing that a lot more now where the players are taking a more holistic look at their careers and their livelihood.”

Another agent, Horane Brown, says that while the moves could present options for other national players in the future, he concurs that the outside circumstances have resulted in decisions being taken to look after the client’s long-term interest.

“It might happen but I don’t see it happening as regularly as a player leaving Jamaica and going to the United States,” he said. “I think these deals came about because of COVID-19 and what’s going on in the other markets. Some of the agents are actually trying to make sure that their clients are playing football and can be secured.”

Contract extended

Lowe’s original two-year deal was recently extended to three and he has already established himself in the Al Ittihad starting line-up, starting in the club’s first two games of the season. However, Williams has yet to debut.

Ralph says that Lowe played a vital part in Williams’ going to Egypt with not much time left to close the deal.

“Damion being there helped a lot because Romario did speak directly to Damion as well [in terms of] what the structure was like, what the livelihood there was like, the set up at the club, and just the people at the club in general,” Ralph said. “The feedback was positive, which gave Romario the reassurance to make the jump.”

Ralph says that the leagues in the Middle East do present opportunities to earn a comfortable living and he says that national players can make their mark wherever they are situated.

daniel.wheeler@gleanerjm.com