Chapter 3- Beyond The Pitch

I walked out of the field with the manager, Steven Schumacher walking alongside me, the reporters occasionally stopped us. 

"Steven, do you think you will qualify for promotion?" 

"Yes." 

"Adrian Randin, the new number 7 for Stoke, how do you feel?"

"Look at the stats-" I said, "3 goals and 2 assists, don't ask me dumb questions!" 

We walked off, not looking back once and fist bumped in the most cringe fashion as we parted ways in the parking lot. I was paid decently for a player at my weekly level, around £15,000. I had saved up for some time now and was able to buy a used Mercedes G-wagon. 2018 model. It was fast and smooth. 

I drove home from the match, I lived just a few miles from the Bet 365 stadium where we played and entered the heart of Trentham, Stoke on Trent, where I lived, well my parents did. I bought us a large home with my wages and a lot of my parent's savings. I parked the car in the garage before entering the house. My little brother was sitting, cross-legged on the couch, Liam Randin. My parents Santiago and Demelza Randin were exiting the kitchen when they saw me. 

My father erupted in excitement and we sat down immediately alongside my brother to discuss the topics of the match, all the key passes, and the chances I saw but were not able to convert. We watched the highlights together over dinner and we all decided to play board games as we always do on Sundays like this. 

We prayed the rosary before retiring to our rooms for the night, I needed my ten hours if I were to perform, but I tucked my brother in first, he needed sleep too if he was going to become better than me as he always says. He's 15 years old and playing for the Stoke youth academy. 

I went to my room when a text pinged in. 

<Adrian we need to talk> my_luv

<What is it Andrea, did you see the game?> FB_4Life

<I can't do this anymore, I'm going out with Lewis I want to end things you, it won't ever work>

<Woah, why so soon, and Lewis who?>

<Baker, your teammate!> 

I threw my phone across the room, it shattering into multiple pieces. Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuucccccccccccckkkkkkkkk!!! I collapsed onto my bed in despair. 

<Next Morning> 

I hate this. I got into the car and drove fast. I haven't spoken word to any of my family but they all knew anyway. She not only breaks up with me but instantly posts on her Instagram that we broke up and she's dating Lewis Fucking Baker. All those passes and link-ups all while he was playing me. Everyone was bloody playing me. 

I walked into the training center and shoved my formal transfer request into Steve's hands. The manager read the paper and looked up slowly and began to talk.

"Adrian, look lad-"

"Four years of my life, both of them played me, I can't face them I want a transfer, even if it's to hell, I'm sorry Steve, but I can't." 

"You've only just played your first full game, you've been a sub for so long!" 

"I'm sorry Gaffer, at least, even a loan would suffice."

"I'll see what I can do." 

2 weeks of bench warming later..... 

"Adrian you have an offer mate, a season-long loan with an opinion to buy based on your market value at the end of the contract." 

"From who?"

"You won't believe this lad, it's from United." 

"Tell me you're not joking Stevie!" 

"No, shall I accept a contract negotiation for you, they'll be shouldering your wage." 

"Hell yeah."

I began meetings with the United representatives and negotiations were underway, I was offered a sum of £45,000 for my talents and they promised ample game time, based on my performance, they want me to be flexible in my position to play CAM, CM, CDM or even Center Forward if needed. I agreed. 

I've moved to Manchester and currently, I've been staying at an apartment I started renting a few days ago. I went to the training center for my medical and upon arrival was met with Erik Ten Hag who familiarised me with the current United Captain, Bruno Fernandes. 

Player: Fernandes 

Pos: CAM/CM

OVR: 86

Pac: 86

sho: 87

dri: 89

pas: 95

phy: 86

def: 84

From my recall, if I'm accurate, he should be a part of the top 100 in the world right now. I could learn so much. 

"Hey Adrian, I'm Bruno, I heard about your talent, your signing is a bit different, I'll explain...." 

(*Yeah, IK it was fast, idc, Stoke is shit anyway get ready for a time skip of training and OVR jump!*)