Each month we take a look at one of the 650 career pathways featured within Indigo. This month we’re exploring the role of a Professional Footballer.
Find out what’s involved in the role from in this excerpt from the career profile on the Indigo Careers module.
So what is a Professional Footballer?
As well as playing in competitive matches, footballers are contracted to attend regular training sessions.
You will need to devote yourself to maintaining a high standard of fitness and should also pay close attention to your diet.
At higher levels, players may spend time being interviewed by the media and taking part in promotional activities on behalf of their club.
Hours
Competitions and matches are often in the evenings and at weekends. You will need to train most days which may mean exercising early in the morning or in the evening.
Location
You will need to travel to play ‘away’ games, which may involve nights spent away from home. If you are competing at international level, you could be away for weeks at a time.
You must be willing to move geographically if you wish to progress in your career.
Type of work
As well as playing in competitive matches, footballers are contracted to attend regular training sessions, both practical and theoretical.
Things to consider
Exciting projects/opportunities
Pursuing your dream to work as a professional footballer is much more exciting than a conventional job.
Very competitive
Out of all the young people who enter a club football academy, only a tiny percentage will make a long-term living from playing professionally.
Unpredictable/unstable profession
The profession is unpredictable and a bad injury has the potential to ruin your career.
Well-paid
Highly successful footballers playing in the Premier League can earn millions of pounds a year.
Relocation may be necessary
You must be willing to move geographically to join a new football team if you wish to progress in your career.
Most people have GCSEs in core subjects and you will need a natural ability in your chosen field
You do not need any academic qualifications as ability and determination to succeed are the key requirements to becoming a professional footballer.
Most professional footballers are scouted before the age of 13. Trained by the Professional Football Scouts Association (PFSA), scouts regularly attend county football league matches. To maximise your chances of being scouted, you should train regularly with a football team representing your school or county. You could also attend open trials or go to a football summer school. If scouted, you may be invited to trials for a professional club. Almost every professional football club has a youth academy that works to recruit aspiring players, both boys and girls. Between the Under-9 and Under-16 age groups you can only be registered to a club if you live within a certain distance to it.
English Football League (EFL) clubs sign young players from age 16 on a 2-year scholarship programme, which includes an education programme. Many players undertake the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) leading to a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance. The AASE programme is designed for those participating in sport at an elite level.
Salary progression
If you start your professional career as an apprentice, you may earn less than £10,000.
In 2023, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) reported that the average salary was around £4,750 a week in League One and £7,000 per week in the Champion’s League.
Highly successful footballers playing in the Premier League can earn millions of pounds a year.
