Reincarnated as a Footballer 8 Contracts and Developments End of Arc 1

"Boss! I am telling you he is a gem! Believe me, he can become a world class player! How?? Come on!! Football is not just about passes, goals, blocks, and tackles. Some players have an inborn aura or rather you call a vibe that makes the audience to focus more on them! Whatever that player does, he makes the audience to get on their full focus onto himself and this boy has it! I am betting on my 13-year scouting experience, this boy has all the necessary things to make it big! Haven't you seen the videos I sent you? Look at his control and his passing sense and lastly his exquisite shooting ability! Come on, I am not a guy to waste nearly a month of my time scouting on a nobody!" said Larsen.

He was talking to the youth academy head of Vålerenga Football who in turn replied " I agree. He is good at what he is. But don't forget, he has two major flaws - Stamina and his weak foot. You also know as well as me that bringing the body balance to a person is one of the toughest in our line of work. That is one of the main reasons why I objected to signing him for our youth academy."

Alexander was flabbergasted. He immediately retorted " Man! I respect you over here but don't bring out your bias to football. He is an Indian, yes. They do not have a solid footballing foundation over there. I agree with that but isn't it an opportunity for us to create a miracle? I mean, say if we train him to the best of our abilities and he becomes a well known professional, that will open us a brand new country with a lot of unknown talents. We may even open up our first foreign youth center but yes, I agree with both your points - He needs to work with them but that is why we have an entity in our club called youth academy. I am pretty sure that you know that as well. Moreover, don't you think it is strange for an Indian out of nowhere come to Norway and play in a Sunday club? He has got a mentor who travels with him, a pretty good one too if I may add so and all of this leads to a single conclusion - He is aiming to be a pro! If we don't take this opportunity, believe me, all of us are going to regret it very badly. I have talked to the club and they are having a scrimmage in an hour or so. So just for this one time, please listen to me and come to watch him play."

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Thirty minutes earlier

"Boss! What did you think? Wasn't he great? Look at his potential and game sense! Wasn't I right!" beamed Alexander.

The "Boss" who was evidently dazed simply said, "I have shown the gaffer the videos you showed me and he was pretty excited to see a budding talent. I retract my words. After seeing him play live, I am able to understand why you were so adamant. We'll give him a one year trial with constant monitoring over a monthly basis. Get in touch with him and ask him whether he would like to play with us or not. By God's grace let this gamble better give us some good results. I am going to my office. Get in touch with him as soon as possible."

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Present

"Hello, sir! My name is Alexander Larsen and I am a scout from Vålerenga Football, a club playing at the first tier football league of Norway - Tippeligaen. Would you like to give your lad a trial at our club?" said the scout to Vinod and Greg outside their hotel. Immediately after that, he gave his card to Greg who was standing beside Vinod.

"We have been keeping track of you since the last month and are extremely excited thanks to your playstyle. You do have your set of shortcomings but those can be solved. We are ready to give you a one year contract which would include your housing and schooling fees too. So are you interested Vinod, in joining our academy?" asked Alexander.

"I would like to have some time to decide as I need to discuss it with my family. So could you wait until tomorrow, Mr. Larsen?" asked Vinod to which Alexander nodded and after which he left.

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As soon as he entered his hotel room, Vinod shouted

"I HAVE BEEN SCOUTED BY A FOOTBALL CLUB! YESSSS!!!!!"

Evidently, even Greg was startled by this development. He smiled at Vinod and was genuinely happy for him as this might the start of his professional career. It would be a very long and strenuous road but if he does the hard work and perseveres through it, he would be able to cash in the results.

Mahesh was in a meeting when he received the call from Vinod who dropped a bombshell of a news to him. He was happy for him as he heard the pure joy in his son's voice. He was successfully able to coerce his family in letting his son play in Norway. He responded that night and told his son that all of the family members very happy for him and they will allow him to play but under the conditions that he should be in the top 90 percentile in his class and him should finish his school education. This was a contingency in case something happens to him in the future that would make him unfit for professional football, he would then have to get a degree and then join their family business.

Seeing that everything went smoothly, Vinod and Greg called Alexander the next day. He then came to the hotel and drove them to the club's youth academy where Vinod signed a trial contract. It was after that Vinod realized that he had completely forgotten about Greg's arrangements. He would not be able to stay with him and mentor him as he would be staying in a hostel allotted by the club and his practice sessions would be daily after school. When asked about this Greg replied

"Do not worry about that. I will be going back to Manchester after you join the club. And yes, do keep in touch with me and call me if you have any problems ahead of calling your parents. I will come as soon as possible. For now, you just concentrate on improving your plays and keep your body fit. Just focus on your football."

"Well, Greg I have a question for you. You have been with me for the past few years with me and by now you know.. how I behave in.. you know how I behave... you know my personality right?"

"Yes. I do hope so" replied Greg.

"Then, Greg... Would you become my agent? I mean yes, if I wait for some time, I may be contacted by several agents but I want someone who I can trust. So, what do you say?"

Greg Wilson expected a lot of questions after his reply but this was not the one. He originally thought of retiring and helping his friend in his business after going to Manchester. But after seeing Vinod's face and after listening to his question, a new sense of responsibility arose in him. This was a guy who has been groomed since he was five to be a professional footballer. If he could anyhow help him to achieve it, he would gladly do it.

After he agreed to it, Vinod called his father and made some arrangements for Greg to stay in Oslo itself. Thus Mahesh rented an apartment for Greg near the academy and Greg himself was engulfed in enlarging his contact list from local shoe manufacturers to business owners: anyone who would be able to sponsor Vinod.

As for Vinod, after completing all the formalities, he moved to the allotted hostel room three weeks after signing the contract. By the time he went to his room, it was dark. So he went straight to his bed and lied down. As soon as he did he heard the voice of VRA

"The host has successfully joined a club. (Congratulations to the host as it is your first step towards the dream of playing football professionally. From now onwards VRA will start responding like a system you know from novels and fics! But please do know this - The host will never get any items that will make others suspicious of the fact that you are equipped with a system or anything like that per se. ) The host has passed the conditions to view the complete Status screen. The host has unlocked Missions. The host now has to select his primary position."

Vinod then selected his primary position as the left winger. Then he heard

"Primary Position confirmed. Seeing that the host has been training with a coach for the past 7 years, the host has been awarded two perks based on his performance. Please check your Status to check them."

Chapter end