(Matt's pov)
(7 April 2008)
Emirates Stadium, London.
Baptista(9) out Wilshere (19) IN.
Arsenal crowd cheered and clapped for Jack as he entered the pitch, I could see anxiety and nervousness on his face.
It didn't take long for Arsenal to create another chance, ref rewarded a freekick to arsenal.
Fabregas behind the ball, Jack stood infront, pushing Nobel out.
Kick and Adebayor heads the ball straight to keeper, Green made another exceptional save up close.
Touré shot from distance, shot blocked by Ferdinand and back to Touré, passed it to Fabregas who shoots from distance to be saved by the post.
"Luck is definitely not on our side today" I said to myself.
There could have been atleast 3 goals for arsenal.
72nd minute,
Fabregas sent a short pass to Eboué who sent a cross infront of the goal, Jack make a sprint, the ball connected perfectly, I subconsciously stood up.
WestHam 1 - 1 Arsenal
"Yes! Lets go!" I shout as loud as I can, that was a perfect cross from Eboué, and even better header from Jack.
The home crowd goes wild, Jack does a knee slide and ran towards the crowd to celebrate as the team huddles together.
I could see Henry standing up and clapping with a smile, It was a good header.
Arsenal crowd sprung back to life again, chanting for a win, people stood on their seats abusing West ham and making sure they know the best club in London.
There were few chances for west Ham, a shot went wide, and Lehmann did his job.
At the final whistle, the score was 1-1, Jack had saved us from potentially loosing 3 points and more importantly loosing to West Ham at Emirates.
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(9 April 2008)
Global Soccer Agency, London
I sat on the velvet sofas which felt awfully similar to a adult film sofas, couldn't voice out my opinions to the receptionist sat in a booth just across me.
We were here to get, an agent, I had delayed due to FIFA's licensed agents laws which were being implemented this year.
Beside me sat a Lawyer Karan, An half Indian and British man, in his early 30, he used to work for a law firm but had quit to open his own, I was introduced to him by my dad.
"Mr. Delevigne, Mr. Zahavi's calling you in" she said in a buisness tone with a smile.
"Thankyou" I said to her, and nodded at Karan, he was quite tall, and in his black buisness suit he looked like a bodyguard more than a lawyer.
As I entered the office gate, I saw framed pictures of the man sitting infront of all over the walls with footballers.
"Welcome Mr. Delevigne, and You're Mr. Delevigne's Legal representative?" He asked Karan.
"Karan Anderson, Mr. Delevigne's Lawyer." he shook Pini Zahavi, hand and sat down on the chairs.
"You're Parents didn't come to negotiate?" Asked Zahavi, looking at us.
"No, they believe I'm more than capable" I said making him raised his eyebrow.
"So let's begin, I read your requests and checked with some clubs, no champions league club is interest to sign you Mr. Delevigne" he said, at which I nod.
"There's Spurs-" he said, but before he could finish I stop him.
"There's also Everton, they've got a solid team and their boss kind of like your acting. I talked with the manager, you'll get your desired playtime every game, but the wages are subpar" he said.
That's feasible, as long as I can get my time in squad I can definitely improve my worth.
"There's a small problem though, they only want to sign a 2 year deal. The club doesn't want to spend money on untrusted football players" he said taking out some documents.
"How much they are talking?" I asked.
"5 million, I can't get you more than that" he said making me frown.
"What about bonuses? Goals scored? On hattrick? Scored match winners? Champions league qualification?" I asked.
"I can make that happen, but they'll try to lower the base amount.".
"Don't go below 4.5" I said to which he nods.
"Now about our contract, here's the documents, Mr Anderson" he said Handing the papers to Karan who took them carefully and began examining them.
Pini Zahavi, a super agent, that's what he called himself when I first met him. He had asked for a 9% fee, After a lot of complaint from my side, he accepted 5%, I gave him 6.
4% on deals above 50 million, that was one clause he wanted to refuse, but couldn't as he underestimated him.
It took Karan an hour to read the contract in depth wile we talked about football, Zahavi was knowledgeable about the transfers, it was his job. He told me about the potential transfer of Tevez to United, intresting stuff.
"There's 2 correction here Mr Zahavi, my client wants independence to choose his club, here this needs to be specified" said Karan underling the contract.
Zahavi sighed, "I'll send you another one tomorrow with the Everton deal to Arsenal."
"Thankyou Mr. Zahavi, a pleasure" I said standing up and shaking the man's hand.
"Welcome to Global Soccer Agency, Mr. Delevigne" he said with a smile.
He shook hands with Karan and we left his office, it was time to have a final meeting with Boss.
(Pov end)
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(Third person pov)
(9 April 2008)
Arsenal training ground.
Matt sat across Arsene Wenger, he was wearing a casual white shirt and dark blue jeans, this was the first time he had come here dresed like this.
Beside him stood Roy Massey, his classic frown plastered on his face.
"You should have discussed with us first Matt" said Arsene looking at the envelope with Everton badge on it.
I did boss, last year after the world cup win, you threw me out of your office. I can't just wait here forever, if Arsenal can't give me opportunities, let me go and seek them myself" said Matt, this was the first time he was talking back to Arsene and it felt bad to him.
"One more year I ask, you'll graduate from the academy and play for Arsenal, I promise you that" said Arsene, he didn't wanted Matt to play at another club.
"Sir, I've made up my mind. Please process my termination from the academy as well, I won't be coming here for training anymore" said Matt, he couldn't look Arsene in the eyes.
"How about a year loan to another league? I can arrange that, you'll develop in La liga or Serie A." Said Arsene hoping for Matt to take it.
"I can't Sir, it's selfish of me I know, but I've always put this club above me, now, no more." Said Matt with finality, he was not here to negotiate.
"We'll process your letter in two days you can go" said Roy, he walked and opened the gate for Matt who looked a little stunned but walked out nonetheless.
"He's got talent, no loyalty. Not worth our time, zero mentality" said Roy giving Wenger a nod he walked out of his office.
Arsene was left alone in his office, "It's not about loyalty roy, not about loyalty. It's his mentality that doesn't allow him to stay here" he said to himself.
He regret signing a contract with Ljungberg, if he hadn't, Matt wouldn't have to go.
Matt walked in the corridor, he saw his kit bags packed, beside them sat Jack his hands on his head.
Seeing Matt walked in he stood up, "What did he say? He said about contract? Anything?" He asked.
Matt shook his head, making Jack stop, "I'll talk to him" said Jack he moved past Matt but he stopped Jack.
"Nope, I don't think after this they'll even allow me at the academy" said Matt making Jack pause.
"And it's not like we'll never meet bro, we go to the same school, so train well, to be defeated" said Matt with a smirk.
"Heh, in your dreams brother" said Jack moving back and hugging Matt.
"See ya" said Matt picking up his bags, he felt butterflies in his gut, his steps heavy.
He moved fast, each step made him want to turn around, but he walked, didn't look back.
"Training done already? Matt?"
He got out, didn't greet the security guard kevin, he had high fived every day and ran to the car parked infront.
"Drive, Please" he said resting his head on the seat.
(Pov end)
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(14 July 2008)
Halewood
Last two months I had stayed away from watching football, I trained in my garden and ride around London in my free time.
I spent two weeks at aunt's home, she had been complaining about how I don't go there, it was fun time, Emma called her friends much to my dismay.
It seems Cara'a got her first crush, she started dating Tom felton, who was quite shy about it, me and Emma had a lot of fun teasing them.
And there's another thing Aunty told me about, "You got offered another movie based on another book, it's called Twilight", I had immediately said a big no.
I quite enjoyed acting on good days but I don't want any of that, Robert can definitely enjoy that one.
Today's the day, new season starts in exactly one month, it was my first day at Everton and I was nervous.
Dressed in a dark blue shirt I arrived at the training area, I was quite sincere, I don't want that fans of my new club to hate me because I was not dressed well.
"Mr. Delevigne" said a man, he had gray hair, wearing an Everton windcheater.
He has more hair than Tom, that was the first thing that came to my mind seeing him.
"I'm Steve, Assistant Manager, welcome Finch Farm complex. We're delighted to have you at Everton" he said in a formal tone, there was a cameraman recording the entrance.
"The pleasure is all mine coach" I said to which he smiled and welcomed me in.
There were few more people waiting for me, as I saw blue, the total opposite to what I was accustomed to.
"Excuse me, Can you please stand there, it's for the announcement" said a photographer making me stand infront of the Everton badge on the wall.
"You look good in blue Matt" said a newcomer, and I know this man.
David Moyes, the head manager of the team, I had met him when I signed the deal with the club.
"It's good to see you boss" I said, and the man shook my hand.
"Take off that shirt, you're jersy's waiting for you" he said making me smile.
"It's in reverse, I was the one waiting" I said, the people around me had a smile, I could sense theybwere quite pleased with my attitude.
"Then change already, I'll have to see your passing again" he said with a grin.
"Sure Boss, give me 10 minutes, I want to say hi to the grounds man and staff here. Wanna join?" I said, his smile lessen, but there was something more now in his gaze.
"Why not, let's go, it's been a while I paid my gratitude to them" said David, I introduced myself to the staff and grounds men, we had a few laughs, the cameraman followed us the entire time.
"Excuse me, my son is a big fan of Harry Potter films.. could you sigh this for him?" Asked a little hesitant lady, she worked in canteen.
"What's his name mam?" I asked.
"Stuart" she said with a smile.
"To Stuart", I signed, also wrote him a message from Cedric driggory, he might like it.
"Thankyou so much" she said holding the Everton cap.
"It's my pleasure mam" I said giving her a smile, It took us more than an hour to click pictures with everyone, finally I was in the dressing room, I stood infront of the shirt, with my name on it.
(Pov end)