The official start of the off-season brought a subtle shift in the atmosphere at Sportcomplex Zoudenbalch. The relentless tempo of daily team training eased, replaced by personalized fitness regimes, tactical review sessions, and a quieter, more reflective mood.
For Amani and Malik, it was a welcome change of pace, allowing their bodies to recover and their minds to process the whirlwind of the past few months. Yet, beneath the surface calm, the words Mr. Stein had spoken lingered: "Discussions happen. About the future. About contracts."
The whispers started subtly. Amani noticed slightly longer conversations between Mr. Stein and Coach Pronk, their heads bent together near the sidelines after individual drills.
He caught Kristen Stein occasionally observing him during gym sessions, her usual brisk efficiency tinged with a thoughtful, almost appraising look. Even some of the administrative staff seemed to regard him with a new level of curiosity.
Malik, ever perceptive to shifts in social dynamics, picked up on it too. "Something's up, Amani," he said one afternoon as they were cooling down after their mandated run. "People are looking at you differently. Like you're suddenly a prize cow at the market."
Amani managed a nervous laugh. "Maybe they're just surprised I haven't collapsed yet from the pressure of the Eredivisie."
"Nah, it's more than that," Malik insisted, stretching his calves. "It's the contract talk, man. Stein mentioned it. They're seriously considering giving you a deal. A real deal."
The thought sent a jolt through Amani, a mixture of disbelief and burgeoning hope. A professional contract? At fifteen? It seemed ludicrous, a dream far too ambitious even for his optimistic nature.
Yet, the signs were there. His performances in the initial training sessions, despite the steep learning curve, had clearly made an impression. His technical ability, vision, and composure under pressure, even when struggling with the system, were qualities that couldn't be entirely ignored.
Unbeknownst to Amani, the whispers he sensed were echoing louder in the corridors of power within FC Utrecht. In the club's main administrative building, adjacent to the Stadion Galgenwaard, discussions were indeed taking place, centered around the prodigious talent scouted from the dusty fields of Kenya 2 years ago.
In the pristine boardroom overlooking Utrecht's immaculate pitch, key figures had gathered: Mr. Carlos Stein, the seasoned talent scout whose reputation rested on discovering players exactly like Amani. Kristen Stein, the new head of youth development operations.
Coach Boyd Pronk, representing tactical and developmental perspectives; senior team head coach Jan Wouters, whose recent integration of Amani into his squad had become a headline topic; and senior board members, including the club's cautious Financial Director, Mr. Henk Jansen, and the precise Head of Legal Affairs, Ms. De Vries.
Mr. Jansen adjusted his glasses, opening the discussion with characteristic caution. "Carlos, we have all reviewed the scouting reports and assessments. Clearly, the boy Amani is extraordinarily talented. However, let's discuss facts and figures clearly."
Carlos Stein nodded, poised and calm. "Of course."
Jansen continued, "We are considering a professional contract for a fifteen-year-old. Before we even begin discussing legal complexities and financial implications, I want clarity on one thing: football-wise, is he genuinely ready for such unprecedented consideration?"
All eyes turned naturally toward Jan Wouters. The seasoned coach, known for his stern yet fair assessments, straightened slightly in his chair. "Gentlemen, I've coached many talented young players over the years. I can confidently say that Amani Hamadi is a rare exception. Very few players at his age can influence top-level football as decisively as he did in such a short span."
Wouters paused, ensuring he had everyone's undivided attention. "Let me remind you: Amani played just four matches at senior level this past season. In those four games less than 200 total minutes on the pitch, he produced three goals and an astonishing six assists."
A quiet murmur of appreciation rippled around the room.
"To put this clearly into context," Wouters emphasized, "Amani ended the season as the second-highest provider of assists at our club. Only Yoshiaki Takagi had more with ten assists but Takagi played nearly every match: nine assists in 34 games. Amani, by contrast, six assists in just four appearances."
Jansen's eyebrows lifted visibly in surprise. "That's remarkable efficiency."
"It is beyond remarkable," Wouters insisted firmly. "It's almost unheard of. The statistics alone speak volumes, and numbers don't lie. It's not just that he contributes to goals it's how he sees the game. Vision, technique, tactical understanding beyond his years, confidence under pressure. He's not just promising; he's genuinely impactful right now."
Coach Boyd Pronk added calmly, "From an academy perspective, his developmental trajectory is exceptional. His ability to translate tactical concepts immediately into high-level performance is rare. We often talk about potential but with Amani, potential and current performance already intersect."
Kristen interjected, her voice steady and persuasive, "His adaptation off-field has been exemplary too. He's learning Dutch rapidly, his school reports are excellent, and he demonstrates remarkable emotional maturity. This isn't a typical fifteen-year-old scenario; he's uniquely positioned to handle this."
Mr. Jansen steepled his fingers, his expression thoughtful but wary. "That's the crux of it, isn't it? We're talking about offering a professional contract – a significant financial commitment – to a fifteen-year-old boy. Fifteen."
He let the age hang in the air. "Forget the footballing potential for a moment. Think of the implications. The media scrutiny. The pressure on a child. The message it sends. And, most critically, the legal hurdles."
Ms. De Vries nodded gravely. "Exactly. Dutch labor laws are stringent regarding minors. There are strict limitations on working hours, conditions, and the type of contracts permissible for someone under sixteen. FIFA regulations also add layers of complexity, especially concerning international minors and preventing exploitation."
"We're not talking about exploitation," Mr. Stein countered, his voice firm. "We're talking about securing a unique talent before others do. We provide excellent pastoral care, mandatory education, and structured support. This isn't some back-alley deal; it's a pathway within a professional, regulated environment."
"But the perception, Carlos!" Jansen argued. "And the precedent. If we offer a lucrative professional contract to a fifteen-year-old, what stops agents from demanding the same for every promising thirteen or fourteen-year-old in the academy? Financially, it could become unsustainable."
"Amani is not every promising player," Pronk stated quietly but firmly. "His football warrants exceptional consideration."
Mr. Jansen steepled his fingers thoughtfully, contemplating the information. "Football-wise, this is indeed compelling. But we must carefully consider legal and financial implications."
Ms. De Vries opened a file. "Primarily, the Wet op de Arbeid door Jeugdigen (Youth Labor Act). It restricts minors under sixteen from performing most forms of 'industrial labor,' which professional football contracts can arguably fall under.
There are exceptions for cultural or artistic work, and specific exemptions can sometimes be sought for elite sports, but it requires demonstrating that the work is essential for their development, doesn't harm their schooling or health, and meets numerous conditions regarding working hours, rest periods, and supervision."
She continued, "Furthermore, FIFA's Article 19 restricts the international transfer of players under eighteen, with specific exceptions. While Amani is already here, signing him to a professional contract triggers another level of scrutiny regarding the circumstances of his move and the provisions for his well-being. We would need explicit approval not just from the KNVB, but potentially clearance related to FIFA regulations to ensure we are fully compliant."
"So, it's complicated," Jansen summarized, looking pointedly at Stein and Pronk. "Potentially very expensive, legally risky, and sets a difficult precedent."
Mr. Stein leaned forward earnestly. "We are fully prepared to meet those conditions. Our youth infrastructure is robust. We have dedicated welfare officers, tutors, psychologists, and tailored support programs. The foundation is here."
"But precedent and optics remain significant," Jansen warned. "We must consider how this might impact negotiations with future academy prospects. Will we be setting an unsustainable standard?"
Coach Wouters responded decisively, "Henk, I appreciate the caution. But we cannot view this as merely another negotiation. Amani Hamadi is a singular talent. I've coached talented youngsters before, but I've never encountered a player who, at fifteen, could decisively shape top-flight games as he has. The risk is high, yes but the potential reward? It's astronomical."
Carlos Stein leaned in once more, his voice resolute yet careful. "Amani is the kind of player you dream of discovering. Let me be blunt: if we hesitate now, we risk losing him in the future. Scouts from top European clubs will already have noticed him. If we don't secure him, someone else will."
Jansen exhaled slowly, weighing these arguments carefully. "Very well. We proceed with caution. Ms. De Vries, please compile an extensive legal assessment. Kristen, outline our support structures in detail, emphasizing compliance with youth welfare. Coach Wouters, prepare a detailed tactical and performance analysis highlighting Amani's immediate and projected contributions."
Jansen locked eyes with Carlos Stein. "Carlos, continue monitoring the situation carefully. I trust your judgment implicitly. But remember, this decision has far-reaching implications beyond football alone."
Stein nodded solemnly. "Understood."
He looked around the table. "This requires careful deliberation. We cannot rush into this. The potential is high, but so are the risks. The board will need convincing evidence that this is not just a gamble, but a justifiable, manageable, and ultimately beneficial step for the club."
The meeting adjourned, leaving a sense of cautious optimism mixed with significant apprehension. The whispers Amani and Malik had sensed were real, the possibility tangible.
But between the potential and the reality lay a formidable wall of bureaucratic doubt, legal complexity, and financial hesitation.
Amani's talent had opened the door to discussion, but the club's board, wary of the implications, remained hesitant, unconvinced that the promise of a fifteen-year-old prodigy outweighed the inherent risks.