Marcus Rashford left Manchester United to join Barcelona on a season-long loan in the summer following an underwhelming couple of years at Old Trafford. And his transfer was brokered by a darts enthusiast who used to work as a referee for the Premier League.
Rashford signed a bumper contract at United in the summer of 2023 after bagging 30 goals and 12 assists throughout the 2022/23 campaign. But his form soon nosedived and he ultimately fell out of favour under Ruben Amorim as he was shipped off on loan to Aston Villa for the second half of last season. He eventually secured a temporary move to the Nou Camp, with the deal including a clause that will allow Barcelona to sign the winger permanently for around £26million next summer.
According to The Telegraph, Simon Leaf, a highly regarded partner at law firm Mishcon de Reya, was enlisted by Rashford's brother and representative Dwaine Maynard ahead of the player's move to Spain.
Leaf heads up the sport and technology division at the firm and has a first-class honours degree from the University of Cambridge.
He has worked with Premier League clubs in the past and with governing bodies, sports stars, and giants of the global media and technology industries.
Leaf has co-authored a chapter on financial regulation in a leading football law book and previously worked as a referee in the Premier League 2 and the National League.
He once even represented Cambridge against Oxford University in a darts match that took place live from the World Darts Championship.
Rashford has enjoyed an excellent start to his Barcelona career and netted his first two goals for the club during a Champions League victory over Newcastle last month.
And after that clash, he admitted: "I'm obviously learning a lot. It's a new way of football but I'm enjoying it all and I think it's making me a better player.
"That's what I'm here to do. I'm here to help the team win but also to improve and be the best I can be."
Rashford has since bagged his first La Liga goal in a defeat to Sevilla and has also contributed five assists in all competitions.
And he was recalled to the England squad earlier this year following a lengthy absence from the national set-up.
The 27-year-old, who is now said to have his sights set on a permanent transfer to Barcelona, came off the bench at half-time during England's 3-0 victory over Wales on Thursday evening to win his 65th cap for his country. And he will be aiming to be part of the England squad at next summer's World Cup.
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