Admission Procedures
Coach Henrik Lindström stood and gestured politely from behind his wooden desk.
"Please, have a seat."
Sebastian's parents moved toward the two chairs in front of the desk. Just as Sebastian was about to follow, a small figure stepped out from behind him.
Coach Henrik paused, raising his eyebrows slightly in surprise before a smile formed on his face.
"And I'm assuming this is your sister?"
Sebastian glanced behind and saw Sara standing beside him, hands at her sides, looking up curiously at the man.
Coach Henrik leaned forward a little, his tone softening.
"What is your name, little girl?"
Sara blinked once before answering clearly.
"My name is Sara."
"Well, Sara," he said, smiling, "you can sit over there with your brother."
He pointed to the side of the office, where a dark blue couch sat along the wall, simple, comfortable, clearly placed there for extra visitors.
Sara looked to her parents for a moment, then nodded and made her way to the couch. Sebastian followed and sat beside her. From this new angle, he finally took in the full view of the office.
It was larger than he had expected, neat, organized, and professional. Wooden shelves lined one side, filled with files, neatly stacked documents, and a few football-related books. Several small awards were displayed alongside them, each with little golden plaques.
The walls were filled with framed photos. Some showed academy players in action. Others featured coaches and staff posing with first-team players. One photo caught Sebastian's eye. It was unmistakable. A much younger Zlatan Ibrahimović, standing with a group of boys in Malmö kits, beaming at the camera. He was taller than the others even back then.
Sebastian stared for a moment longer.
That was actually Zlatan.
Even now, at twenty-nine, Zlatan was still playing at the highest level, as the center-forward for AC Milan, one of the biggest clubs in the world. And before that, he had already worn the jerseys of Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, and even Barcelona. The man had played for nearly every major club in Europe. Later, he would go on to play for PSG, LA Galaxy, and Manchester United too.
Sebastian let out a small breath.
That was a lot of clubs. Zlatan wasn't exactly the most loyal footballer on the planet. But for all those European giants to sign you, to want you, you had to be one of the best. And Zlatan was one of the best strikers in the world.
Coach Henrik's voice brought him back to the present.
"Now, about Sebastian," he began, turning to his parents. "He showed excellent ability during the trials. Technically gifted, yes, but what really stood out was his composure and intelligence. He read the game well, adapted quickly, and wasn't afraid to take initiative in big moments."
"His decision-making on and off the ball was impressive for someone his age. We also saw leadership qualities. He encouraged his teammates, took responsibility, and remained focused even when the game was tight."
Sebastian's mum gave a soft smile, and his dad nodded thoughtfully.
Coach Henrik continued.
"Of course, we know this is not just about football. At Malmö FF, we place equal value on education. I imagine one of your concerns as parents is how this will affect Sebastian's schooling."
Both parents gave small nods, clearly attentive.
"To address that, the academy has partnerships with several schools in Malmö that are designed specifically for young athletes. Schools like Toftanässkolan and Gottorpskolan are two of our regular partners."
"These institutions offer a specialized academic program tailored to fit around training schedules. That way, our players can pursue their football development without sacrificing their education. The curriculum is well-balanced, and the staff there are familiar with the demands of elite youth training."
He let that information settle for a moment, then added:
"And in case you're wondering about logistics, transportation, or the daily commute, we have solutions for that as well. The academy has modern dormitory facilities just a short walk from the training grounds."
"Living on-site is an option we strongly encourage for players coming from outside the city. It allows them to stay focused, cuts down travel stress, and also builds discipline and independence in a supportive environment."
He paused, then smiled.
"Plus, we have a very good cafeteria with full-time staff. Meals are balanced, nutritious, and tailored to each player's needs, especially as they grow and train. We try to make the transition as smooth as possible, both for the boys and for their families."
Sebastian's father, Thomas, leaned back slightly and nodded.
"Wow," he said, clearly impressed. "That's... really comprehensive. You've thought of just about everything."
Coach Henrik smiled warmly.
"Thank you. Our goal was to build a structure that supports the boys fully, both as athletes and as young people. We want them to succeed on the pitch, yes, but also to grow as disciplined, well-rounded individuals. It's a responsibility we take seriously."
Coach Henrik then reached to the side and pulled out a folder.
"Now, in terms of what comes next. Today we will complete the onboarding paperwork. There are some forms you will need to sign regarding medical clearance, code of conduct, and travel consent for league matches. After that, Sebastian will have a short health evaluation with our academy medical staff. It is mostly routine, height, weight, reflexes, vision, things like that. Nothing invasive."
He placed the folder on the table in front of them.
Thomas cleared his throat gently and leaned forward again, his expression still thoughtful.
"This all sounds very impressive," he began, "and I can see how much planning has gone into making it work smoothly. But I have to ask, what about the costs? The training, the school partnerships, the accommodation, meals, medical staff. It all sounds like something that could get very expensive."
Coach Henrik nodded, clearly expecting the question.
"A fair concern," he said calmly. "But let me assure you, Malmö FF covers all academy-related expenses for selected players like Sebastian. That includes training, match travel, equipment, and access to our facilities. If he chooses to live in the dorms, we also cover room and board."
He paused before continuing.
"The partnered schools do not charge additional tuition beyond standard public school fees. And even those are often subsidized through our agreement with the schools and the city. We work closely with families to ensure that no child misses the opportunity to develop here simply because of financial limitations."
Thomas raised his eyebrows slightly.
"So there's no tuition for the football training itself?" Thomas clarified.
"None at all," Coach Henrik said. "In fact, we see this as an investment. When we invite a player into our system, it means we believe in his potential and we're willing to commit our resources to help him grow."
Thomas gave another short nod.
"Understood."
Coach Henrik glanced at both parents.
"Any other questions before we begin?"
They looked at each other briefly, then shook their heads.
"No questions," said Sebastian's mum, Emilia.
"All clear," said Thomas.
Coach Henrik gave a satisfied nod and closed the folder lightly.
"Excellent. In that case," he said, lifting the folder and handing it across the table, "you can take a look through the documents now, go over them together, and we'll walk down to the medical wing for Sebastian's evaluation."
He turned to Sebastian with a reassuring look.
"It won't take long. And your parents are welcome to come with us."
Thomas and Emilia stood, folder in hand, as Coach Henrik rounded the desk. Sebastian got to his feet as well, and Sara quickly followed. She glanced up at her brother, then at her parents.
Henrik opened the office door, gesturing toward the hallway.
"Shall we?"
The family followed him out into the corridor.