CAA Base
. United Kingdom
€1.3bn

Key Facts

Also known as: Base Soccer Agency (1997-2019)
Founded: 1997 by Leon Angel
Headquarters: 1st Floor North, 101 New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6XH, United Kingdom
Players: ≈ 620 active clients (≈ 210 in top-tier leagues)
FIFA/FA registration:
• Leon Angel – IMS000566 (FA)
• Frank Trimboli – IMS000046 (FA)
Languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Korean
Regions covered: Europe, Africa, South America, Asia-Pacific


About

CAA Base is the football division created when Creative Artists Agency acquired Base Soccer in 2019. Operating from London with joint ventures on four continents, the firm focuses on elite men’s football while running verticals for women’s football, coaches and commercial rights. Deep scouting ties to the UK and Iberia, a data-driven analytics team and CAA’s global commercial reach have helped the agency broker more than £500 million in transfers and contracts since 2017.


Key People

  • Head of Football & Founder: Leon Angel

  • Co-Head of Football: Frank Trimboli

  • Chief Operating Officer: Rita Carraça

  • Licensed agents (sample): Leon Angel, Frank Trimboli, Doron Salomon, Richard Berry, Harry Hickford


Client Roster

Top players (current)

  • Son Heung-min (LAFC)

  • Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)

  • James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)

  • Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

  • Cole Palmer (Chelsea)

Rising talents / U23

  • Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)

  • Luis Palma (Celtic)

  • Julian Alvarez (Atlético Madrid)

  • Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United)

Notable former clients

  • Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas, Kieran Trippier, Ashley Young

Coaches/Staff represented

  • Carlo Ancelotti, Ange Postecoglou, Julen Lopetegui, Kieran McKenna, Domenico Tedesco


Notable Deals

  • 2017 – Kyle Walker: Tottenham → Manchester City, £50 m, five-year contract

  • 2023 – Cole Palmer: Manchester City → Chelsea, £45 m, seven-year deal (+1-year option)

  • 2023 – James Maddison: Leicester → Tottenham Hotspur, £40 m, five-year deal

  • 2024 – Kingsley Coman: Bayern contract extension to 2029, improved salary package

  • 2025 – Son Heung-min: Tottenham → LAFC, reported £15 m, three-year deal (+option)

  • 2025 – Jarell Quansah: Liverpool → Bayer Leverkusen, up to £35 m, five-year deal


Services

  • Contract negotiation & transfer brokerage

  • Image rights, sponsorships & brand building

  • PR / media strategy & social-content management

  • Legal, tax & wealth-planning referrals

  • Data-driven performance analysis & scouting support

  • Relocation, wellness & post-career planning

Partner Network

  • Strong relationships with Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and several MLS clubs

  • Commercial tie-ups with CAA’s global brand clients and Polaris Sports

  • Network of lawyers, physios, nutritionists and marketing agencies across Europe, Africa and South America


Track Record (last three seasons – 2022-23 → 2024-25)

  • Total transfers completed: ≈ 230

  • Deals ≥ €10 m: 26

  • Clients in top-5 European leagues: ≈ 210

  • Senior national-team clients: 70+

  • Renewal/extension deals: ≈ 90


Approach & Philosophy

CAA Base combines early-age talent spotting with rigorous video and data analytics to project player value and career pathways. Negotiations target headline fees and creative incentive structures while emphasising holistic support—“everything under one roof” from performance to branding. Close club relationships are leveraged, but the agency positions itself as fiercely protective of client interests.


Fees & Transparency

  • Commissions typically 5–10 % of gross salary (or up to 6 % of transfer fee under FIFA 2023 rules)

  • Dual representation permitted with separate mandates for club and player

  • Image-rights income channelled through dedicated SPVs; expenses above £250/€300 require client approval


Compliance & Reputation

  • Disciplinary actions / sanctions: None recorded against the agency or its principals

  • Litigation / disputes: 2023-25 joint legal challenge (with other agencies) against FIFA fee-cap regulations; case ongoing

  • Media sentiment: Generally positive for deal-making acumen; occasional scrutiny over close ties to certain clubs


Awards/Recognition

  • Globe Soccer “Agent of the Year” finalist (Frank Trimboli, 2023)

  • Listed among top-5 most powerful football agencies by multiple industry rankings (2024, 2025)