Essel Sports Management
Global Pathways

Netherlands

€25mm

Key Facts

Also known as: Essel Sports, Essel Sports Management B.V.
Founded: c. 1997–1998
Headquarters: Pieter Braaijweg 53, 1114 AJ Amsterdam-Duivendrecht, Netherlands
Players: 40+ (10+1st tier) – Total market value: €25mm
FIFA/FA registration: Company led by partners Steinar Dietz and Bas Schothorst,Belgium (RBFA intermediaries register) – INTERMED-BEL-00022 (Søren Lerby), INTERMED-BEL-00024 (Steinar Theodoor Dietz)
Languages: Dutch, English
Regions covered: Europe, South America, USA, Russia, Middle-East, China (plus licensed agents across the globe)
Email: mail@esselsports.nl
Phone: +31 20 626 33 35
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esselsports/
X: https://x.com/EsselSports

About

Essel Sports Management is a Netherlands-based, international football representation and management agency founded around the career transition of former top-level player Søren Lerby. They position themselves as a full-service organisation focused on maximising player performance, using a global club network and external legal, tax and financial partnerships. The agency highlights decades of cross-border experience and claims involvement in 500+ transfers over its history.

Key People

• Søren Lerby – Founder (legacy)

  • Former elite player (Ajax, Bayern Munich, AS Monaco, PSV) who moved into player management after retiring; credited on the agency’s “Our history” as the origin of Essel Sports Management.

  • Contact (company): mail@esselsports.nl, +31 20 626 33 35

• Steinar Dietz – Partner

  • Listed as a partner on Essel’s team page and on the Belgian FA intermediaries register.

  • Contact (company): mail@esselsports.nl, +31 20 626 33 35

• Bas Schothorst – Partner

  • Listed as a partner on Essel’s team page and part of the leadership group driving the agency’s modern operations.

  • Contact (company): mail@esselsports.nl, +31 20 626 33 35

• Aron Klaassen – Scouting & Player Relations

• Luciano ’t Zand – Scouting & Player Relations

• Jouri de Bruin – Scouting & Player Relations

• Gijs van der Velden – Scouting & Player Relations

• Lianne Graas – Operations Manager

• Daniel de Vries – Scouting & Marketing

Client Roster (Top 15 available from accessible player-profile sources)

Top players (current):

• Jacob Ondrejka (Parma Calcio 1913) – 02.09.2002

• Davy Klaassen (Ajax Amsterdam) – 21.02.1993

• Yannick Eduardo (Hoffenheim) – 23.01.2006

• Dies Janse (FC Groningen) – 17.01.2006

• Arbnor Muja (Sint-Truidense VV) – 29.11.1998

• Ruud Nijstad (Twente Enschede FC) – 17.01.2008

• Mimeirhel Benita (Heracles Almelo) – 17.11.2003

• Tom de Graaff (PEC Zwolle) – 10.12.2004

• Shiloh ’t Zand (Feyenoord Rotterdam) – 14.05.2003

• Jaygo van Ommeren (FC Utrecht) – 08.05.2008

• Othniël Raterink (De Graafschap Doetinchem) – 07.04.2006

• Lennard Hartjes (Excelsior Rotterdam) – 07.04.2003

• Fabian Merién (PSV Eindhoven U21) – 26.09.2008

Notable former clients:

• Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart

• Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Thomas Vermaelen, Dries Mertens, Toby Alderweireld

Coaches/Staff represented (if any):

• The agency cites collaboration history with Marco van Basten and John van’t Schip.

Notable Deals

• 2026 – Yannick Eduardo – Dordrecht - Hoffenheim – reported fee around €2.6m

• 2025 – Jacob Ondrejka – Royal Antwerp to Parma – permanent transfer – €7m

• 2025 – Mimeirhel Benita – Feyenoord to Heracles Almelo – permanent transfer – €1m

• 2024 – Arbnor Muja – Royal Antwerp to Samsunspor – permanent transfer – €2m

• 2025 – Glenn Bijl – AS Trencin to Royal Antwerp – free transfer

• 2024 – Davy Klaassen – Without club to Ajax – free transfer (contract to 30.06.2027)

• 2024 – Adam Lundkvist – Austin FC to BK Häcken – free transfer

Fees shown are indicative estimates (not official).

Services

• Contract negotiation and career planning

• Transfers and loans (international network of clubs)

• Sponsoring and marketing activities

• Legal, tax and financial support via partner network

• Scouting and player relations

Partner Network

• International club network across Europe, South America, USA, Russia, Middle-East and China

• Legal, tax and financial partnerships (external)

Track Record (last 3 seasons)

• Total transfers completed: 10+

• Deals ≥ €10m: 0

• Clients in top-5 leagues: at least 2 (Bundesliga, Serie A)

• National team clients: at least 2 (Adam Lundkvist, Arbnor Muja) plus former internationals (Davy Klaassen)

• Renewal/extension deals: at least 1 (Davy Klaassen extension listed)

Fees shown are indicative estimates (not official).

Approach & Philosophy

Essel positions its work around performance and long-term career management, aiming to remove off-pitch friction so players can focus on football. Their model emphasises an international club network and “full-service” support, backed by external specialist partners in legal, tax and finance.

Fees & Transparency

Typical football-agent compensation is usually structured as a percentage service fee paid by the client (player and/or club) and may include separate arrangements for marketing/sponsorship work when applicable. Under FIFA FFAR, service fee restrictions, disclosure requirements, and conflict-of-interest limits apply (including rules around dual representation and written mandates).

Compliance & Reputation

• Disciplinary actions / sanctions: No public sanctions identified in the sources reviewed for this profile.

• Litigation / disputes: No prominent, verifiable public disputes identified in the sources reviewed for this profile.

• Media sentiment: Generally positive to neutral based on public positioning and historical transfer track record.

Awards/recognition

• Quality Label and EFAA branding displayed on the agency contact page.