Arsenal wonderkid Max Dowman, who became the Premier League's youngest-ever goalscorer against Everton, has seen his father and brother obtain FIFA agent licences to manage his career
Max Dowman before an Arsenal game
Arsenal starlet Max Dowman has been tipped to enjoy a bright future in the game(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
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Arsenal star Max Dowman has already put pen-to-paper on a pre-contract arrangement with the club to finalise a professional contract when he reaches 17, but has now taken a significant decision concerning his representation throughout his career.
The Guardian have disclosed that Dowman's father, Rob and brother Ethan have secured FIFA agent licences with the aim of overseeing his career for the foreseeable future.
Dowman signed the pre-contract arrangement with the Gunners at the start of January with Onside Law, a sports, media and entertainment legal practice negotiating the details.
The decision by the Dowman family mirrors that of Kylian Mbappe and Florian Wirtz, whose careers are handled by trusted family members.
To become a licensed football representative in the sport, aspiring agents must sit the FIFA Football Agent exam and satisfy ethical standards. The exam is a 60-minute, 20-question open-book assessment with a 75 per cent pass threshold on the organisation's regulations, reports football.london.
The 16-year-old's meteoric rise has even sparked suggestions for the teenager to be selected for the England senior team for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Nevertheless, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has acted swiftly to protect the playmaker from the intense spotlight of the press and the demands of both Gunners faithful and supporters of the Three Lions.
Arteta said: "I think they have to cook at the optimal speed in relation to what they need and what they demand. He is knocking on the door at 16, saying 'I am good enough and I can impact this team whenever it is needed' and he is doing it when he is playing.
"We just need to bring the temperature down and understand what is the best thing for this boy at his age. He's doing something phenomenal, we all know that.
"Let's keep it down a little bit and respect his nature to do what he has to do which I'm sure is going to be something really good."
Dowman's moment in the limelight on Saturday sealed Arsenal's vital victory over Everton as they established a ten-point advantage over Manchester City, before their stalemate against West Ham.
The 16-year-old became the Premier League's youngest-ever scorer with his injury-time strike against the Toffees on Saturday and has an big future awaiting him.
Former England international and Manchester United legend Gary Neville discussed the significance of protecting Dowman following his historic achievement last weekend.
Max Dowman during an Arsenal game
Arsenal star Max Dowman became the youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer last weekend after netting against Everton
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He said: "He’s got 20 years ahead of him, it’s about doing the same things, having sensible people around him, restrict access to certain things that can distract him, be a 16-year-old kid that they ordinarily have access to.
"Match the work ethic of Saka, Odegaard and Rice, they’re still doing it every single week, there’s no let up, there’s no shortcut or route to the end but a beautiful moment. He didn’t do any interviews which I think was right, to keep him away from it, keep him off social media.
"I’ve spoken to a lot of players about managing modern media, keeping him away what would be the headlines, it’s easy for the Arsenal communications department, keep him away from social media, Max Dowman was the god on social media last night but he will be the devil at some point, he’ll miss a penalty, get injured, maybe get sent off or react at a certain point in his career.
"You want to try get rid of the rollercoaster, you’re young, full of adrenaline, full of wanting to play, massive ego, massive confidence but you need to try keep away from the rollercoaster."