Max Dowman’s family get FIFA agent licences to manage Arsenal teenager’s career

Max Dowman’s father and brother have obtained FIFA agent licences as the family takes control of managing the Arsenal teenager’s burgeoning career.

The 16-year-old winger has been inundated with approaches from agents since making his Arsenal debut as a 15-year-old last August. However, the Dowman family has no plans to sign with a major talent or representation agency, instead choosing to handle his career themselves.

According to The Guardian, both Rob Dowman and his elder son Ethan have passed the FIFA agent exams, which were introduced by the world governing body in 2003 and had a pass rate of just 52% in the first round of entrants.

Family credentials

The Dowmans appear better qualified than most family representatives in football. Rob Dowman is the founder and chief executive of insurance company Pantheon Speciality, while also working as a grassroots coach. His elder son Ethan works as a broker and holds an economics degree from Nottingham University.

The pair will be able to represent Dowman in any future contract negotiations, building on work already done by sports legal firm Onside Law, who handled the paperwork for his recent pre-contract agreement with Arsenal.

Record-breaking talent

Dowman made headlines last weekend when he became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at 16 years and 73 days old. The milestone came just months after he had already established himself as Arsenal’s youngest-ever debutant.

The teenager signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal in January, which will automatically convert to his first professional contract when he turns 17 on December 31st.

Despite the growing commercial interest – Dowman has already signed a boot deal with Adidas and appeared in an advertisement alongside Arsenal legend Ian Wright – the family is taking a measured approach to further commercial opportunities.

Focus remains on development

Dowman’s immediate priority remains his continued progression at Arsenal and obtaining a good set of GCSEs this summer. The family’s decision to handle his representation themselves reflects a growing trend among top players since FIFA deregulated its agent licensing system a decade ago.

With his professional contract set to be finalised later this year and his talent already making Premier League history, Dowman’s career trajectory appears to be in capable hands as he continues his development in north London.