Got a contract from a club? 10 things to check before you sign

You've been offered a contract. What now?

The moment a club puts a contract in front of you can be one of the most exciting moments in a footballer's career.

Especially for a junior.

After years of training, sacrifice and matches, someone finally says:

"We want you with us."

It is very easy to get carried away and want to sign immediately.

But that is exactly when you need to take a step back.

Read. Ask. Check.

A contract is not just a signature that lets you play for a club. It is a document that sets out rights, obligations and important conditions for both parties.

And what you do not understand today can become a problem in a few months' time.

1. Check the exact length of the contract

The first question is simple:

How long is the contract valid for?

Do not settle for a verbal answer.

Look in the document for:

• the start date;
• the end date;
• any extension periods;
• the conditions under which the contract can be extended;
• who can activate any extension option.

A two-year contract is not the same as a three-year one, and a clause that allows one party to extend the contract unilaterally can change the situation significantly.

The duration must be clear in the document you are signing.

2. Look at the money, not just the promised salary

"You will earn 3,000 lei a month."

It sounds straightforward.

But the contract may contain several financial components.

Check exactly:

• the salary;
• the payment date;
• the bonuses;
• match bonuses;
• bonuses for objectives;
• promotion bonuses;
• appearance bonuses;
• other financial benefits.

Also ask:

Are the amounts gross or net?

That is an important difference.

If someone tells you a figure verbally, but something else appears in the contract, the document is what you need to examine carefully.

3. What happens if the club does not pay?

This is one of the questions too few players ask when they sign.

Everyone talks about:

"How much will you earn?"

But you should also ask:

"When and how will I receive the money?"

And:

"What happens if payment is late?"

A contract may set out different deadlines and mechanisms.

If serious problems arise between the player and the club, the situation may become a contractual or disciplinary matter and must be assessed under the applicable rules. FIFA has specialised structures for resolving certain football disputes, including the Dispute Resolution Chamber and the Players' Status Chamber.

Do not wait for a problem to appear before finding out what the contract says.

4. Check all the bonuses

Sometimes the difference between a good offer and a mediocre one is not the basic salary.

It may be the bonuses.

For example:

• a bonus for every match played;
• a bonus for being selected in the starting eleven;
• a bonus for goals;
• a bonus for assists;
• a promotion bonus;
• a bonus for qualifying for European competitions;
• a bonus for team objectives.

But there must be a difference between:

"The coach told me I get a bonus."

and

"The bonus is clearly set out in the contract."

If a bonus matters to you, ask where it is mentioned and under what conditions it is paid.

5. Read the termination clause

This is where you need to be especially careful.

The contract may provide for situations in which the contractual relationship can end early.

Some contracts may contain clauses relating to:

• termination by the club;
• termination by the player;
• certain compensation;
• breach of obligations;
• disciplinary situations;
• failure to meet contractual conditions.

Do not assume that:

"If I want to leave, I simply leave."

Sporting contracts and football regulations treat contractual stability very seriously. FIFA has also introduced changes and interim rules in the light of recent case law, and the new RSTP framework is due to come into force in 2027.

If you do not understand the termination clause, do not sign until you receive a competent explanation.

6. Is there an extension option?

A contract may appear to have a simple duration:

1 July 2026 – 30 June 2028

But there may also be a clause under which the contract can be extended.

The questions are:

Who can activate the option?

How far in advance?

Under what conditions?

Does the salary change?

Is the agreement of both parties required?

Do not ignore a few lines at the end of the contract.

Sometimes those exact lines can have important consequences.

7. What obligations do you owe the club?

A contract does not only contain what you receive.

It also contains what you have to do.

There may be obligations regarding:

• attending training;
• taking part in matches;
• following the schedule;
• behaviour;
• discipline;
• use of kit;
• taking part in official events;
• communication with the media;
• use of social media;
• complying with internal regulations.

Read them.

Especially if you are a junior and the contract is signed by you together with your parents or legal representatives, it is important to understand what is expected of you.

8. Check image rights

"Image rights" are a term many athletes hear, but few read carefully.

Ask:

Where can my image be used?

For how long?

For what purpose?

Is there separate remuneration?

Can the club use my image after the contract ends?

This can become important especially as the athlete becomes better known.

For a child or junior, parents should pay extra attention to any clause relating to image, promotion, or the use of data and materials about the athlete.

9. Read the annexes and the internal regulations

A very simple trap can hide here.

The contract says:

"The player undertakes to comply with the club's internal regulations."

Fine.

But...

Have you been given the regulations?

If there is a document the contract refers to, ask to see it.

The same applies to:

• annexes;
• addenda;
• internal policies;
• disciplinary regulations;
• image agreements;
• documents relating to bonuses.

Do not sign a document that says you have acknowledged another document you have not seen.

10. Do not sign if you do not understand what you are signing

This is the most important point.

It may seem obvious, but excitement can make an athlete forget exactly this.

If you do not understand a clause:

ask.

If the explanation you receive is not enough:

ask for time.

If the document is financially or professionally important:

consider having it checked by a lawyer or a sports law specialist.

There is no shame in saying:

"I want to read the contract before I sign it."

On the contrary.

It is a responsible decision.

🚨 Watch out for pressure to sign immediately

There is a difference between:

"We need an answer by Friday."

and:

"Sign now. You don't need to read it — it's just a form."

The second situation should put you on alert.

Especially if:

• you are not given a copy of the contract;
• you are denied time to read it;
• there are missing pages or annexes;
• you are told that certain promises "will be put in later";
• you are asked to sign documents you do not understand;
• someone tries to convince you that "all players sign like this".

The fact that others have signed does not mean you have to sign too.

👨‍👩‍👦 If it involves a junior

For a child, the situation is even more sensitive.

A parent should not view a contract only as a sporting opportunity.

You also need to look at:

• the duration;
• school;
• training;
• travel;
• accommodation;
• meals;
• transport;
• costs borne by the family;
• the child's obligations;
• image rights;
• any conditions relating to moving to another club.

In international football there are special rules on transfers and the first registration of minors, and FIFA has a structure dedicated to these situations as well.

For a junior in Romania, the parent must also check the FRF regulations applicable to the specific situation.

💰 "Is it a good contract?" Do not look only at the salary

A contract of 5,000 lei a month may seem better than one of 3,500 lei.

But if the first one involves:

• rent paid by the player;
• transport paid by the player;
• bonuses that are hard to achieve;
• extra costs;
• more difficult conditions;

the real situation may be different.

That is why you should ask:

"How much does the player actually keep after all costs?"

And:

"What does the club offer beyond the salary?"

Accommodation, meals, transport, kit and other benefits can matter a great deal, especially for a junior leaving their home town.

📋 ProSportStaff checklist before you sign

Before you sign, check:

☐ Contract duration
☐ Salary and currency
☐ Gross/net amounts, where relevant
☐ Payment date and method
☐ Bonuses and their conditions
☐ Termination clauses
☐ Extension options
☐ Player obligations
☐ Image rights
☐ Internal regulations and annexes
☐ Who covers accommodation and transport
☐ What happens if an injury occurs
☐ What happens if the club fails to meet its obligations
☐ Have you received a complete copy of all documents?

If the answer to any of these questions is:

"I don't know."

then you have found a good reason to ask more before you sign.

A good contract is not just the one with the highest salary

For a young footballer, the first offer can seem extraordinary.

But a career is not built on salary alone.

It may be more important to have:

• a coach who believes in you;
• playing minutes;
• good training conditions;
• the chance to progress;
• stability;
• a club that meets its obligations;
• a good school, if you are a junior;
• a clear plan for your development.

The highest salary is not always the best opportunity.

If you have been offered a contract, do not rush to say "yes"

The first important contract can change the direction of a career.

That is why, before you sign:

Read.

Ask.

Request a copy.

Check every document the contract refers to.

And if there are clauses you do not understand, or the financial and professional stakes are significant, seek advice from a qualified professional.

Football rules can change, and in June 2026 FIFA approved a new framework for the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, coming into force on 1 January 2027.

A contract should not be signed because someone is rushing you. It should be signed because you know what you are accepting.

Next article in the "Contracts & Opportunities" series

You have checked the contract. You know what the main clauses mean.

But what do you do if you still do not have a club?

Do you absolutely need an agent?

How do you find the right clubs?

How do you contact them?

What do you send a coach?

And, above all, how do you show a club that it is worth seeing you on trial?

In the next ProSportStaff article:

How to find a club without an agent: a practical guide for footballers and juniors

Note: This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. Sporting contracts must be assessed in light of the athlete's specific situation and the regulations applicable at the time of signing. For important clauses or disputes, consulting a lawyer or a qualified sports law specialist is recommended.