Hans quickly printed the loan contract, bound it together, and handed it to Maël and Gilbert.
It clearly stated the bonus and salary terms Hans had mentioned, along with some other details.
Maël examined it carefully to make sure he wasn't being tricked.
It wasn't that he didn't trust Arsenal and Sheffield United, but rather that he still found it hard to believe his status had changed twice in one day.
From a trial player to an academy player, from an academy player to a first-team member!
And he had received a loan offer from an EFL Championship team! His hands trembled slightly, and he was enveloped in surprise and happiness.
Only a fool wouldn't sign this contract. Even with the pressing need to improve his skills, even after just deciding to add Crossing Skill and Dribbling Skill training.
But, grinding proficiency at the Colney Training Base with a weekly wage of £800, versus grinding proficiency with Sheffield United's first team in the EFL Championship with a weekly wage of £2,500...
Anyone would choose the latter.
He didn't dare to hope he could play in the EFL Championship right away. One shouldn't be too ambitious, or it would only lead to unhappiness.
"Adapt slowly when you get there, and privately work hard to improve the proficiency of your skills."
Maël looked through the contract, making a decision in his heart: "The first goal is to be included in the team's matchday squad and experience the professional arena up close."
He wasn't in a hurry; the proficiency panel was his greatest confidence.
As long as he maintained discipline and effort, he would continue to improve and eventually get his chance! "Hmm."
Maël suddenly put his hand on his chin, imitating a star player negotiating: "Please tell Sheffield United that I hope to receive a base weekly wage of £4,000. £2,500 does not meet my expectations."
Gilbert turned his head sharply, his eyes wide.
Hans was stunned for a moment, then pointed to the door with a speechless expression.
"Hahahaha..." The three of them laughed together, bending over.
As they laughed, the joy in their eyes diminished. Although they were still laughing, their minds had wandered elsewhere.
Hans was proud that his U17 team could produce two EFL Championship loan players, and he affectionately punched them on the shoulders.
Maël and Gilbert were more focused on fully accepting the feeling of being loaned out, with both excitement and anticipation for joining a professional team, as well as nervousness about the uncertainty.
"Alright."
Hans smiled reassuringly, getting back to the point: "From the youth team to the first team, and from the first team to Sheffield United on loan, both 'transfers' will come with a Signing Fee.
"The first-team bonus included in the youth contract is not included in this Signing Fee. This is considered your extra income, and Arsenal and Sheffield will pay it immediately.
"As for its use, I won't say much, but I hope you can use it wisely and find a good place to live in Sheffield."
Maël and Gilbert didn't speak, but stared at Hans with bright eyes, anticipating the amount of the Signing Fee.
They weren't qualified to negotiate with the club yet, and it was their first time dealing with this, so they didn't understand the ins and outs.
So they could only accept what the club offered.
"Both combined, £50,000 each."
Hans held up five fingers, did a quick calculation, and continued: "After taxes, you'll get £30,000. This includes the £40,000 loan fee that Sheffield United paid to the club, and the £60,000 that the club added."
"Say no more."
Gilbert suddenly stood up, as if afraid Hans would go back on his word, and quickly extended his right hand: "Pleasure doing business."
Maël also got up quickly, grinning from ear to ear, "Let's sign it quickly."
After completing the signing, Maël and Gilbert only had half a day to pack and prepare.
The two smiled at each other after leaving the administration building, and without saying much, they walked towards their respective dormitories.
There would be plenty of time to spend together in the future. For now, it was best to settle everything as soon as possible and depart tomorrow.
That night, Maël packed all his luggage and strolled around the Colney Training Base, looking at the place he had stayed for several months.
Especially the areas around the U17 training ground and the youth team gym. Once he left this time, he most likely wouldn't return to these places.
As long as a person has spent sweat, experienced joys and sorrows in a place for a long time, they will definitely develop feelings for it.
Not to mention, Maël had obtained the biggest turning point in his life here, and had truly reversed his fate.
The reluctance of parting surged into Maël's heart at this moment.
Most of the time, leaving with joy rather than pain makes people feel more nostalgic.
Because with the former, you leave behind painful memories in a place, while the latter is the opposite; he left his most beautiful and exciting moments here.
"Leon, why did you hang up so quickly just now?"
Dialing his uncle's phone, Maël chose to share his daytime joy with his family, also to dilute the reluctance of the moment. A hearty voice came from the other end, "Is there something else good going on?"
It seemed they hadn't yet emerged from the joy of 'nephew getting an 800 pound weekly wage'.
For an ordinary family that had been raising four children,
having a child earn enough money from his favorite sport to support himself and occasionally help the family was indeed a great joy.
"There is a bit."
Maël chuckled, feeling the emotions transmitted from the other side, his voice trembling slightly: "Sheffield United wants to loan me; I just signed the contract this afternoon.
"The weekly wage has become 2,500 pounds, plus various bonuses and a considerable Signing Fee. I'll send 3,000 pounds home first; you can use it to buy something for little sister and the family. I won't have a chance to come back this time for Christmas."
The English professional leagues don't have a winter break; on Christmas Day, there's usually a 'Boxing Day' battle.
Immediately following is January, a month of dense schedules, making it the most arduous league in the world.
"Every week, 2,500 pounds?! After tax, that should be... 1,500 pounds, calculated over 52 weeks a year..."
His uncle's voice also began to tremble; he swallowed deeply. "Leon, don't lie to me. Is all of this really true??"
"Maël's phone?"
"Brother! Brother!"
A burst of noise came from the other end of the phone, as if his aunt and little sister were crowding around his uncle.
"It's true, and it's not the end."
Maël took a deep breath and added, "If I can play 10 times for Sheffield United, I'll have a weekly wage of 8k, and 20 times is 20k."
"Oh...!"
The other side sounded like they were about to faint. After a flurry of sounds, "Leon, supporting you in playing football is the luckiest thing in my life. Your uncle is always ashamed that he didn't give you the best conditions, but fortunately, you've made a name for yourself. You must keep going!
"Take care of yourself first, then think about family matters. I'm very... very grateful that you're still thinking of us. If there are any matches, be sure to tell us in advance!"
His aunt and little sister seemed anxious, constantly asking his uncle what was wrong and why he was saying so much.
It wasn't until his uncle explained the whole story to them that his aunt seemed to suddenly enter a state of shutdown, remaining silent for a long time.
Only his little sister Ava was simple-minded and just felt happy, jumping and laughing, "Brother is awesome; brother is going to buy me pizza!"
Maël listened to the voices on the other end, smiling knowingly and feeling incredibly happy.
Giving made him feel truly alive in this world.
Tomorrow, set off!
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