The careers of Kelechi Nwakali, the Most Valuable Player at the last FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile and his team mates Samuel Chukwueze, David Enogena and Joel Osikel seem destined to soar even higher as the heroes of Nigeria’s 5th U17 World Cup win have joined the stable of Stellar Group, arguably the world’s leading football agency.
Stellar Group is one of the largest sports management companies in the world with headquarters in the UK and plays a major role in the development and management of sporting professionals across the world. Headed by Jonathan Barnett and David Manasseh, Stellar Group manages the careers of world’s most expensive player Gareth Bale, England international stars Joe Hart, Luke Shaw, Connor Wickham and Jonjo Shelvey. They also handle ex- England internationals Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Nigerian born Nedum Onuoha and Carlton Cole and many other big stars in football.
Aside from the top salaries the Group deliver, the players value the loyalty and stability they provide. Carlton Cole was particularly grateful for such support when he was linked with allegations of a gang-rape of a teenager at the Grovesnor House Hotel.
Cole said: “My agents, along with my family, stood by me during a difficult time and I’m very grateful for that. Without their support I don’t know what I would have done.”
According to Errol Olowu, the head of Africa of Stellar Group, unlike most agents who only care about their commission and transferring their players, Stellar Group care for their players around the clock. “Stellar Group not only caters for our players and ensures they get good value for their skills and top salaries, we also cater for their day-to-day needs to ensure they concentrate on their football. As young footballers coming to Europe, far from friends and families, we help them settle down so they can shine brighter.”
Speaking further, foremost Nigerian sports lawyer Barrister Johnny Precious Ogbah said,” Stellar Group have shown great professionalism in the way and manner they have gone about their businesses here. The future of these Eaglets are secure in the hands of Stellar Group and I can confirm that many offers are on the table for these players and we are studying all of them to chose the best ones for their development.”
