Unique Sports Group (USG)
. UK
€1.2bn

Key Facts

Also known as: Unique; USM + ISMG (legacy brands)
Founded: 2021 (merger of London-based Unique Sports Management and Germany’s International Sports Management)
Headquarters: 20 Bridge Road, Hunton Bridge, Kings Langley WD4 8RE, United Kingdom — plus offices in Manchester, Barcelona and Karlsruhe
Players: ≈ 600 represented; more than 350 valued above £1 billion
FIFA/FA registration: Multiple FA-licensed agents (e.g., Will Salthouse, Marlon Fleischmann, Barry Whelan) and DFB-licensed agents led by Gordon Stipic-Wipfler
Languages: English, German, Spanish, Italian, French
Regions covered: UK & Ireland, DACH, Spain, France, Italy, Middle East, Scandinavia, North & South America


About

Unique Sports Group is a top-five global football agency formed by the 2021 USM-ISMG merger. With cumulative transaction values beyond £1 billion and deals in 12 countries, USG offers “360°” player management from academy to retirement, combining Premier-League expertise with a strong Bundesliga footprint and growing women’s and cricket divisions.


Key People

  • Will Salthouse – Founder & CEO

  • Gordon Stipic-Wipfler – Joint CEO, Europe

  • Steve Hitchen – Director of Football (former Tottenham sporting director)

  • Licensed agents (sample): Marlon Fleischmann, Barry Whelan, Alejandro Boesch


Client Roster

Top players (current)

  • Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United)

  • Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace)

  • Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur)

  • Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter Milan)

  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)

Rising talents / U23

  • Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)

  • Lewis Miley (Newcastle United)

  • Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton)

  • Malick Thiaw (AC Milan)

Notable former clients

  • Reece James (Chelsea)

  • Phil Foden (Manchester City)

Coaches/Staff represented

  • Richie Wellens (manager)

  • Conor Hourihane (manager)

  • Steve Hitchen (sporting-director advisory)


Notable Deals

  • 2025 – Jhon Durán: Aston Villa → Al-Nassr, €77–83 m, 5½-year contract

  • 2024 – Aaron Wan-Bissaka: Manchester United → West Ham, ~£15 m, seven-year deal

  • 2023 – Anthony Gordon: Everton → Newcastle, £40 m + add-ons, long-term contract

  • 2023 – Brennan Johnson: Nottingham Forest → Tottenham, £47.5 m, six-year deal

  • 2022 – Reece James: Chelsea extension to 2030 (club-record salary for a defender)

  • 2021 – Marc Guéhi: Chelsea → Crystal Palace, £18 m, five-year deal

  • 2021 – Hakan Çalhanoğlu: AC Milan → Inter Milan (Bosman/free)


Services

  • Contract negotiation & renewals

  • Domestic & international transfers / loans

  • Image rights & commercial sponsorship

  • PR, branding & social-media content

  • Legal, tax & immigration support

  • Data-driven performance analytics & video scouting

  • Well-being: nutrition, mental health, injury & rehab care

  • Concierge, relocation & family services

Partner Network

  • Strong relationships with Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga clubs (e.g., Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Inter, Barcelona)

  • Links to elite academies in England & Germany

  • Backed by Velocity Capital (strategic private-equity investor, 2025)

  • Specialist lawyers, physios, nutritionists and marketing agencies


Track Record (2022-23 to 2024-25)

  • Total transfers completed: 300+ across 12 countries

  • Deals ≥ €10 m: ~35 (including Durán, Gordon, Johnson)

  • Clients in top-5 leagues: 120+

  • National-team clients: 60+ senior internationals

  • Renewal/extension deals: 70+ (e.g., Reece James, Jacob Ramsey, Odilon Kossounou)


Approach & Philosophy

USG blends relationship-driven representation with data-first recruitment. In-house analysts identify tactical fits, while former club scouts led by Steve Hitchen engage sporting directors early in decision cycles. Player pathways emphasise gradual first-team exposure through strategic loans and early brand-building under the #BeUnique banner.


Fees & Transparency

  • Commissions typically 5–7 % of gross contract; aligns with FIFA’s pending 6 % cap for single-party representation

  • Dual representation allowed with written consent, capped at 10 %

  • Image-rights deals invoiced through client SPVs; expenses re-charged at cost with quarterly statements


Compliance & Reputation

  • Disciplinary actions / sanctions: None publicly recorded

  • Litigation / disputes: No major court cases; active in industry challenge to FIFA fee-cap proposals

  • Media sentiment: Generally positive for talent pipeline; some scrutiny over private-equity stake and consolidation

  • Awards / recognition: Forbes 2025 Top-5 Global Football Talent Agencies; ranked fifth by squad market value on Transfermarkt