Fördervertrag

Meanwhile, up in Richter's office.

Two men stood side by side, as they stared out the window, which had a clear view of the training court.

They had just seen Lukas' three shots as well as other drills he had done with the team since the session started, but none of them had said a word to the other.

The younger of the two finally broke the silence.

"I saw the match, but I expected anyone could have a good match. But this, this is something else entirely." Dennis Schmitt — the Eintracht Frankfurt reserve team coach who would officially take office in about a week — said as he stroked his chin.

"I didn't expect you to watch the full game immediately after you left my office. You called me less than 2 hours later." Richter replied, surprised.

He had received a call from Dennis the previous evening just as he was preparing to leave the office.

"Well, I got home and decided to see how it starts. And in the first 30 seconds, he already created a goal-scoring opportunity. I couldn't stop watching."

"Hahahaha. I had a feeling that'd happen. The same thing happened to me, too. I stood here for an hour and watched the whole game." Richter said as he laughed at the half-expected situation.

"You said there will be a discussion about his contract today, but I saw his player profile, and he's still 15."

"Yeah, it will be a youth contract for now. If his performance in the reserve team is as good, I have no doubt the club will have a professional contract ready for him on his 16th birthday in 6 months."

"Alright then, should we go call them up? The session looks like it's rounding up."

Richter walked to his desk and picked up the telephone as he dialed his secretary.

"Hello, Mikayla, please usher the two men at the entrance up here. Yes, thank you."

He ended the call.

Back downstairs, Lukas walked to the locker room together with some players, and the training session was already over.

Christian was bugging Lukas on how he hit the volley in his third trial, while Philip walked with his head down, but his ears perked up to hear Lukas' response.

"I don't know. I just decided to hit the ball as I saw it bounce. Some might call it luck."

"Luck is also skill."

"Don't believe anybody who tells you that," Lukas replied.

[*Says the guy who got lucky by meeting me.*]

"Ahem.. Anyway, it's more like I tried to drive the ball but also keep it low." He tried to explain his technique.

"Yeah, that doesn't help at all," Philip said as he raised his head and stared at Lukas.

Christian burst out laughing.

"Luke! Come over here."

He turned to see Marco gesturing for him to come over. Beside Marco stood Javi, and a woman dressed in corporate attire — Mikayla.

Lukas jogged over to the group as Javi opened his arms for a hug.

"I'm not hugging you, Dad," Lukas said with a smile as he avoided his father's attack.

"I just finished training, I'll get sweat all on you."

"I don't mind, come here!"

"Well, I do!"

"Okay, enough, enough. You guys are embarrassing me. Seriously." Marco said as he tried to hide his face.

"Anyway, Lukas, that was a great session you had today. Keep improving." He added.

"Thanks, Marco, I feel great," Lukas responded. He then turned to the lady beside Marco.

"Hello, sorry for what you just saw." He said as he greeted her.

"Haha.. It's fine. It's nice to see that you're close with your father." Mikayla responded.

"Thank you," Lukas said with a smile.

"Luke, you'll make me forget why I called you. We'll be in the Academy Manager's office on the top floor. Come there when you're done freshening up." Marco said as he patted Lukas' shoulder.

"Alright, I'll meet you guys there," Lukas responded as he jogged back to the entrance to the locker room area.

"He looks really happy." Javi thought as he watched Lukas jog back to the locker room.

* * *

"Yes, come in," Richter said after a knock on his door.

Lukas opened the door and stepped in. He quietly took a few seconds to scan the office.

It was truly the office of the manager of a top club's academy.

Richter and Dennis sat on the sofa on one side of the center table, while Marco and Javi sat on the opposite side.

"Hello, Mr. Richter," He greeted. He had already done his research the previous night, so he knew what Alexander Richter looked like.

But the man sitting beside him was a face Lukas was unfamiliar with.

"Hello, Lukas, it's nice to finally meet you. This is Dennis Schmitt, he'll be joining us for this meeting."

Lukas and Dennis exchanged a short greeting as Lukas sat down between Marco and Javi, still unaware of Dennis' identity.

"As you all might have already guessed, this meeting was set up to discuss Lukas' contract with the club." Richter began the important conversation.

"As I said to Marco yesterday, we really do want him." He added.

"And he wants to join the club too," Marco responded.

"But as I'm sure you can see, Lukas is past the U17 level, and playing in the U17 Youth League would be a waste of valuable time. I think he should at least have a chance at the U19 team this season." Marco added as he tried to improve his client's deal.

"Hahaha.. I'm way ahead of you on that, Marco. That's why Dennis is here. Dennis is the next coach of the reserve team.

He already signed the contract and will officially be taking office on the first of next month." Richter explained.

"Huh? Did I hear that right? Did he just say the reserve team? What's the reserve team coach doing here?" Marco thought as he looked at Richter, then Dennis.

"Yes, I will be in charge of the Eintracht Frankfurt II team from next season. And I want Lukas to be an integral part of my team." Dennis explained as he sat up.

The three men on the other side of the table were all confused. However, they were able to contain their surprise, at least for the time being.

"You want Lukas to play for the reserve team?" Javi asked.

Lukas kept a straight face, though his ears perked up."The reserve team? That's a bit earlier than I expected. But not unwelcome."He didn't speak — just listened.

"Yes. We'll need a few training sessions with the team to really gauge his level compared to his teammates, but I think he is already at the U23 level." Dennis explained.

"But Lukas is only 15, will there be a problem with official matches?" Javi asked. He was a little aware of the age limit rules for appearances in senior games.

"There will be no problem at all. The age limit is generally for the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. The U23 currently competes in the Regionalliga." Richter explained to Javi.

Lukas and Javi nodded as they listened.

"However, since you're still 15, we won't be able to offer you a professional contract right now. We will offer a youth development contract now, and we can negotiate the professional contract after you turn 16.

If your performance remains as good as it has been during this past week of tryouts, I promise you the club will not hold back when the time comes.

For now, though, since it's a youth contract, there won't be a nominal salary, but you will be compensated for all expenses while you're here: transportation, meals, and whatever else may come up.

We will also make sure your school life is not disrupted too much by your club duties." Richter kept on explaining the details of the contract.

The part that caught Lukas' attention was the proposal of a clause that stipulates that he will consider signing a 3-year professional contract with the club when he turns 16.

It did not force him to sign; all it forced him to do was show up at the negotiation table in good faith.

"I don't think that's a bad idea at all." Lukas was thinking about playing for Eintracht for a while. At this time, he was unaware of the number of super clubs that would try to tempt him away from Frankfurt.

A/N: Okay, guys, BAFL has received 15 GTs from you guys in what? 4 days? WOW. This is the first extra GT chapter for this book, and the way things are going, we might get another by the weekend (FINGERS CROSSED).

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this chapter:

Oliver27, Pandaontop, Lilitha_Siko, moped1244, Afsoares, NashP7

These are the people who contributed the 15 GTs that made this chapter possible.

Thank you guys so much. I really appreciate.

Have a great day/night.

Love.

-Writ