Inside the World of George Swan, British Football's Youngest Agent

Few people in the world of football know the game quite like George Swan.

He joined Leeds United at the age of nine, was signed by Manchester City for £500,000 five years later, then retired at 21 due to injury.

Now, still only 22, Swan is working as a football agent and discovering the other side of the game.

It's rare to get a glimpse into every working element of a football club, but Swan has seen it all.

From training with David Silva to sealing a transfer deal, Swan has been telling me all about life in his unique world.

Breaking into the Business

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It was never supposed to end up like this; Swan expected to make his living on the pitch.

He was a star performer in Manchester City's academy and captained the under-18s, but Swan had to make a big decision last year.

A spate of issues, including a serious knee injury, torn groin and broken leg, proved too tough to overcome.

"It messes with your mind when you have worked your way back to fitness and then suffer another injury," he explained. "It wasn't easy, and once the hunger disappeared I knew it was time to give up.

"For three months after that I watched no football and was feeling pretty down."

That's when a chance to work for Sports Management International came along.

"I had to become busy, and when agents Lee Matthews and Mark Obern suggested 'Come and work with us,' I thought I'd give it a go.

"Suddenly I felt part of the game again and felt I was able to have an impact."

So how does someone go about becoming an agent so quickly?

"You don't have to do exams anymore, which is good!" he said.

"We are actually no longer called football agents. The official term is football intermediaries. Technically, anyone can become one if you go through the [Football Association] and complete the necessary procedure.

"The guys at the agency all have deep knowledge of the game, and the fact I know a lot of people in the game is going to help me."

The First Deal

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Like any other person in any other job, Swan wanted to make an early impact in his new area of expertise.

In the January transfer window he got a first proper look into the market and managed to get a first deal under his belt, as goalkeeper Ian Lawlor made a switch from Man City to Doncaster.

"That deal was an important one," said Swan. "I knew about Ian's situation, so as an agency we spoke to him about what he wanted at that stage of his career and then discussed options we felt could suit him. I really did not want to give bad advice because he is a friend—but things have gone well for him.

"This is my first summer window and it is so interesting to see how the deals come about.

"I have been surprised by how much goes on behind the scenes ahead of the window. You are speaking to people all the time, just to get a gist of what clubs want and how we may be able to help. A lot of the time you are trying to understand everyone's shopping list, then lining up moves which could work for both parties.

"Most of my role so far has been shadowing because I am so new to this job, but I know my opinion counts at SMI and I am excited about the role I can play here. I am keen to understand every aspect of this business."

Managing Clients

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Many agencies tie certain players to a particular individual within the company, but that is not the way things work at SMI, so Swan has had to get to grips with a wide range of clients very quickly.

"There are five of us at the company, and we look after around 50 players," he said. "We represent players from Premier League level all the way down to Conference standard. Our top clients are guys like Stewart Downing, Robert Snodgrass and James Morrison, but it is just as crucial to get the best moves for the players further down the ladder.

"Having been inside a club like City I obviously have seen a lot of things, and I always make a point of telling players to keep their feet on the ground. It annoys me when players have flash cars and an ego yet haven't even played a game in the Premier League or their country."

Swan sounds like an old head on young shoulders, perhaps his biggest quality in such a role.

Day-to-Day Business

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The world of an agent is not your usual 9-to-5 job, which is probably ideal for someone who has grown up in a football bubble.

"Every day is different in this job, and each month is very different as well," Swan explained. "I have only been doing this for nine months, but from what I can tell, you spend a lot of time watching a lot of players and then spend time weighing up what is best for them going forward. But there is so much work to do in between."

There are many different aspects to consider, from contract negotiations and commercial deals to car purchases and ordering new boots.

"The job is certainly not always office-based. Obviously there are plenty of emails because of all the different things you have to stay on top of, and my phone never stops ringing! But there really are a lot of games to go and watch.

"It could be that I go to watch an under-18 game on Friday, a first-team match on Saturday, an under-16 fixture on Sunday, then another youth-team game on Monday. And they could be spread across the country!

"All the time, you have to be thinking about new ideas for the company and how to best help your clients and the clubs.

"We are lucky in terms of getting an idea of what each club is looking for in a transfer window because the guys here at SMI have built such good relationships. Trust is so important."

Looking for Magic

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The dream for any representative at a football agency is to find that special player with a magic touch, and few are better placed than Swan to understand what the X-factor really looks like.

"I used to play with first-teamers at City, and it is hard to explain just how good players like Sergio Aguero and David Silva really are. It is just a different level.

"I considered myself a good player, but when you get up close to Silva, you just can't comprehend how he can be so much better. His touch, the way he positions his body, it really is difficult to understand or explain how he does it.

"But these experiences and this insight is good for me. I know what to look for when scouting new talent and hopefully I can give good advice to the players we represent.

"One time I played a friendly against Steven Gerrard, and afterwards he stayed back to speak to all the young players and offer advice. He did not have to do that at all, he could have left quickly, but it showed the professionalism he has.

"The players who reach the very, very top are incredibly dedicated, and that is a lesson I will always take forward. Every player at every level has to understand how much work needs to go into becoming the best."

Looking to the Future

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One door closed, but a new one has opened, and Swan is determined to now make an impact as a football intermediary. 

"At the moment I am seen as an apprentice at the company but I am learning from the guys here every day and am excited about making a career of this.

"Of course it has been hard to get my head around the fact I can not play anymore, but I know I made the right decision. The other day I played golf and the next day my ankles were sore and my knee was swollen, so I know I have made the best decision for my long-term health.

"A lot has changed over the past year, but I can see how this job can be every bit as fulfilling.

"This has all happened by chance really, but if clients make decisions based on advice I give them, that is a responsibility I will never take lightly."