Creating player ads creates opportunities

As a new club still in the process of building a network of connections, it has been difficult for Oakland Roots, of the United States' USL Championship, to inform clubs and agents of exactly what requirements they have in the transfer market.

With a minimal budget, all too often Technical Director Jordan Ferrell receives irrelevant pitches. But the ability to share requirements in an instant with the seller on TransferRoom is opening up endless possibilities for the California-based club.

In the last few years, the USL has been working hard with Sporting Director Mark Cartwright to develop its brand as a league that can develop young US and international talented players in an attractive first-team professional environment.

Together with other USL teams, Oakland partnered with TransferRoom to make that a reality, and being on the platform has already resulted in a deal, with Sierra Leone international left-back Kevin Wright signed following a pitch from Efficiency Consulting Management, a TransferRoom Trusted Agent.

That move came about after Ferrell created a player ad with the exact financial requirements of any deal they could afford. Real-time, transparent market information which Wright’s agent engaged with.

Indeed it is the ability to create ads that has opened up multiple opportunities and a wider network for Oakland Roots, which will pay dividends in future transfer windows.

As Ferrell states in the video below: “We said we’re looking for these positions, and we’re looking for these characteristics from an age standpoint, from a salary standpoint. Those gave us a lot of different opportunities to look at players… 

“It was just terrific that we got really close with about three other players on TransferRoom where for one reason or another the deal broke down, but they never would have come across our radar if it wasn’t for the platform and that is something for us that is really promising for business in the future.”

Building the profile of the club and USL

Not only has sharing exact requirements with more than 700 clubs and a selection of Trusted Agents significantly increased Oakland Roots chances of finding the right match for the position to fill, it’s also thrust them into the global football conversation.

Oakland Roots was only formed in 2018, and joined the USL three years later. 

Growing the exposure of a football club and making strong connections can take decades to form, but Oakland Roots have been able to fast-track the process on football’s digital marketplace.

Through the platform and regular in-person and virtual TransferRoom Summits, the club is regularly engaging with clubs worldwide, from Champions League to non-league.

Ferrell said: “The biggest benefit of TransferRoom is the direct touchpoint to clubs around the world and the decision makers in those clubs. It isn’t sending a WhatsApp message, it isn’t somebody who knows somebody. You can look at what clubs are looking for and if what you have might fit that, you can make the connection directly. It is agnostic of level, as long as it’s the right fit. 

“Everybody is coming together for the purposes of interactions around player transfers. I think that is not something that would have been as easy to create or it certainly would have been more costly to create.

"Instead we've been able to dive in and utilise the close to 700 other touchpoints and clubs that we can get to very quickly. Some we have had more interaction with than others and naturally over the course of time that will continue to grow.

"It’s consistent. We are consistently making connections with clubs and decision makers in clubs, as well as quality agents, event after event and day after day through the platform.”

Pictures credit: Oakland Roots SC