- Jan 24, 2016
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Recently read that Middlesborough have offered scholarships to 12 under 16 squad members for the 2020-21 season. In fact teams like Stoke City have even offered the same contracts to some of their U15 squad to commence 2021. I know we have a few very knowledgeable contributors to this Academy forum, I just wonder if Spurs have done something similar. I would be surprised if they have not offered scholarships to players like Dane Scarlett, Jordan Hackett and Raushaun Mathurin. If they have not then they could be open to these players being taken by other clubs even if compensation is due.
I could be wrong but as far as I'm aware you can't offer them scholarships that young. What you can offer the kids parents is a pre-contract which is not particularly binding because you can't sign a contract that binds you to sign another contract.* its just a way of the club showing the player some commitment and the player's family doing so in return. The pre-contract may include staggeringly generous inducements but most clubs won't offer that. I think the likes of Middlesbrough are just showing these lads commitment.
*I know you can sign a contract that obligates you to sign a different contract (say in the process of buying a house) but you're not legally obligated to sign. If you want to back out you absolutely can, it just renders all connected contracts void.