Stirr Associates
The Elite Athletes' CEO
Belgium €190mm
Key Facts
Also known as: Stirr Associates BV (SRL); STIRR
Founded: 27 Jun 2014
Headquarters: Tremelobaan 73, 3140 Keerbergen, Belgium
Players: 65 (31 in top-tier leagues) • Total market value ≈ €190mm
FIFA/FA registration: FIFA-licensed agents on staff; pre-FFAR DFB list shows “Stirr Associates BV — Francis Stijn”;
Languages: English, Dutch, French (with Danish & Icelandic via local licensed staff)
Regions covered: Benelux; Scandinavia (Denmark, Iceland); UK; Germany; France; Spain; Italy; USA/MLS; Japan
Email: info@stirrassociates.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stirrassociates/
X: https://x.com/stirrassociates
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stirr-associates/
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About
Stirr Associates is a Belgium-based boutique football agency described as a close-knit team of lawyers, accountancy and tax specialists, former professional footballers and problem-solvers. The firm’s positioning centers on ethical guidance and putting athletes in control of their careers, combining contract negotiation with wealth planning, tax, insurance and long-term pathway management.
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Key People
CEO/Founder: Stijn Francis — Founder; licensed agent; former pro and ex-business lawyer.
Managing Director / Head of Football: Not publicly disclosed.
Licensed agents (selection): Stijn Francis; Tine Matton; Hans Smulders (Netherlands); Henrik Bødker (Denmark); Bjarki Ólafsson (Iceland); Bjorn Ruytinx (Belgium).
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Client Roster
Top players (current):
Lois Openda [RB Leipzig]
Bilal El Khannouss [Leicester]
Bart Verbruggen [Brighton]
Sebastiaan Bornauw [Leeds United]
Albert Sambi Lokonga [Arsenal]
Cyriel Dessers [Rangers]
Nicolas Madsen [Queens Park Rangers]
Nathan Ngoy [LOSC Lille]
Joris Kayembe [KRC Genk]
Stijn Spierings [Brøndby IF]
Elias Cobbaut [AC Sparta Praha]
Rising talents / U23 (selection):
Stanis Idumbo [Sevilla FC]
Kaïs Barry [RSCA Futures]
Laurits Pedersen [Randers FC]
Denzel De Roeve [SK Brann]
Devon De Corte [RSCA Futures]
Notable former clients:
Toby Alderweireld [Royal Antwerp / retired 2025]
Dries Mertens [Galatasaray / retired 2025]
Coaches/Staff represented (selection):
Rob Penders [Assistant Coach, FC Utrecht]
Frédéric De Boever [Goalkeeping Coach, AS Monaco]
Stef Wils [Manager]
David Hubert [Manager]
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Notable Deals
2025 — Sebastiaan Bornauw: VfL Wolfsburg → Leeds United; reported ~£5.1m; four-year deal to 2029.
2025 — Nathan Ngoy: Standard Liège → LOSC Lille; ~€4.5m; multi-year contract.
2025 — Zinho Vanheusden: Inter → Marbella FC; free transfer; contract to 2026.
2024 — Nicolas Madsen: KVC Westerlo → QPR; undisclosed (reports ~€3.8m); long-term deal.
2024 — Albert Sambi Lokonga: Arsenal → Sevilla (season loan) with purchase option.
2023 — Cyriel Dessers: Cremonese → Rangers; undisclosed (widely reported ~£4.5m); four-year contract to 2027.
2019 — Zinho Vanheusden: Inter → Standard Liège; ~€13m (club-record at the time).
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Services
Contract negotiation (transfers/loans, renewals)
Wealth planning, investments & insurances
Tax advisory & international structuring
Image rights, sponsorships & endorsements
Legal support; immigration/relocation logistics
Performance pathway planning & career management
Partner Network
Recent work ties with clubs including Leeds United, Rangers, Arsenal, Sevilla, QPR, LOSC Lille, KRC Genk, RSC Anderlecht, Royal Antwerp, Brøndby IF, AC Sparta Praha, FC Utrecht, Hertha BSC, SSC Bari, Randers FC, Royal Antwerp, FC Tokyo & Júbilo Iwata.
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Track Record (last 3 seasons)
Total transfers completed: 30+ across Belgium, Netherlands, Scandinavia and major European leagues.
Deals ≥ €10m: At least one historically (e.g., Vanheusden ~€13m).
Clients in top-5 leagues: Regular presence (England, Spain, Germany, Italy).
National team clients: Belgium, Nigeria and others (current & former).
Renewal/extension deals: Managed case-by-case (not systematically disclosed).
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Approach & Philosophy
Stirr emphasizes an ethical, client-first model: transparent advice, risk-aware financial planning and individualized career roadmaps (“tailor-made pathway plans”). The team blends legal, tax and performance expertise so players retain control over key decisions.
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Fees & Transparency
Typical market practice (jurisdiction-dependent): player-side commissions around 3–5% of gross salary; club-side service fees negotiated per FIFA/national FA frameworks; dual representation only with informed written consent. (Rules vary under evolving FFAR/NFAR implementations.)
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Compliance & Reputation
Disciplinary actions / sanctions: None publicly reported for the agency.
Litigation / disputes: None publicly reported involving the agency.
Media sentiment: Positive to neutral — verified agency profile, frequent placements in Belgium, Netherlands and top leagues.
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Awards/recognition
Transfermarkt verified agency since Oct 24, 2023; founder authored The Bankrupt Footballer on financial best practices for players.
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Note: Company details (legal form, VAT/LEI) and contact information confirmed via Belgian registers and the firm’s contact page.
