How to get scouted by a professional club in Europe

If you are a young player seeking assistance with attracting interest from professional clubs in Europe, please feel free to get in touch.

Football is increasingly becoming a data driven industry. Daniel Burdeno wrote an excellent article titled Kicking It Up a Notch: Exploring Data Analytics in Soccer which explained the full effect of this data revolution on the coaching and recruitment processes at professional clubs.

Read the full article here

In North America the majority of young players have dreams of pursuing playing professional football in Europe. However, in my experience I see few players beginning to track the type of performance and game metrics that can be utilized by professional clubs to adequately assess their potential. Most young players post highlight videos on social media hoping that coaches or scouts from professional clubs will notice them.

When trying to get signed by a professional soccer club, players should share performance data that provides a clear and compelling picture of their abilities, consistency, and potential. Here’s what should be included:

1. Physical Performance Data

• Speed: Sprint times over distances like 10m, 20m, and 40m.
• Endurance: Metrics like VO2 max or results from fitness tests (e.g., beep test, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test).
• Agility: Performance on agility tests like the T-test or 5-10-5 shuttle.
• Strength: Data on vertical jump height, bench press, or other strength measures.
• Injury History: If relevant, include recovery metrics and current injury-free status.

2. Technical Skills Data

• Passing Accuracy: Completion percentage under pressure and over various distances.
• Shooting Accuracy: Number of shots on target versus total shots.
• Dribbling Success Rate: One-on-one situations or dribble completion metrics.
• Ball Recovery: Interceptions, tackles, and possession retention rates.

3. Tactical Performance Data

• Position-Specific Metrics: For example:Defenders: Clearances, blocks, and aerial duels won.Midfielders: Key passes, chances created, and box-to-box coverage.Forwards: Goals per 90 minutes, xG (expected goals), and off-ball runs.
• Heat Maps: Positional heat maps to show involvement and work rate during matches.
• Game IQ: Passes per phase of play or involvement in goal build-ups.

4. Game Statistics

• Match Impact: Goals, assists, and contribution to scoring opportunities.
• Consistency: Averages over several games or seasons.
• Versatility: Performance in multiple positions if applicable.

5. Video Highlights

• Clips that showcase key skills (e.g., goals, assists, defensive plays).
• Include full-match footage to demonstrate decision-making and off-ball actions.

6. Psychological and Character Traits

• Mental Resilience: Evidence of composure under pressure.
• Leadership: Examples of taking charge during games or captaincy roles.
• Coachability: Testimonials or feedback from previous coaches.

7. Contextual Information

• Level of Competition: Provide the league or tournament details (e.g., semi-pro, youth academy, regional competition).
• Stats Comparison: Where possible, compare your data to league averages or standout players in the same role.
• Personal Profile: Include height, weight, dominant foot, and playing position(s).

8. References or Scouting Reports

• Letters or evaluations from reputable coaches or scouts.
• Performance reviews from trials or showcases.

By providing this data in a concise and professional format—such as a player CV with attached reports and highlight videos—you maximize your chances of catching a professional club’s attention.