Two Years, One Clear Vision
Epic Sports and founder Ali Barat have officially confirmed the Golden Boy 2025 “Best Agent” accolade. The message sets the tone: awards matter, but the engine behind them is a repeatable structure - strategy, trust, and flawless execution, delivered day after day for players at the very top of the game.
''Two years later, we’ve proven that vision right. Epic Sports has once again been honoured with the Golden Boy 2025 “Best Agent” Award,'' - the agency announced via their LinkedIn account.
A recognition that speaks to more than headline transfers. It reflects the daily grind of building careers the right way - patiently, precisely, and with purpose.
What This Award Really Recognizes
This recognition validates a multi-year vision: build careers with discipline, negotiate with precision, and support players with a professional infrastructure that spans legal, compliance, commercial, and performance planning. It’s a win shared with players, club partners, and colleagues who contribute to every detail behind the scenes.
Ali Barat and the Epic Sports Method
Ali Barat’s approach is simple and demanding - map a pathway, earn trust through transparent advice, then execute cleanly. Epic Sports operates across the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and beyond, aligning sporting fit with market timing so performance can compound into lasting value.
Notable 2025 Summer Deals
Across the 2025 window, Epic Sports executed five major transfers in five different top leagues, underscoring a truly global footprint.
Noni Madueke completed his move from Chelsea to Arsenal in the Premier League. Dean Huijsen made the switch from Bournemouth to Real Madrid in LaLiga. Johan Bakayoko transferred from PSV Eindhoven to RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Archie Brown moved from KAA Gent to Fenerbahçe in the Süper Lig. Soumaïla Coulibaly joined Strasbourg from Borussia Dortmund in Ligue 1. Each deal followed a mapped pathway that balanced sporting fit, timing, and long-term upside.
Throughout his career, Ali Barat has been instrumental in orchestrating several high-profile transfers, including:
- Moisés Caicedo → Chelsea FC (from Brighton, 2023) — the biggest transfer in Premier League history at £115m.
- Nicolas Jackson → Chelsea (from Villarreal) — breakout forward secured for a top-six platform and during the summer transfer window in 2025 was loaned to Bayern Munich.
- Kendry Páez → Chelsea — blue-chip Ecuadorian talent secured with arrival set for 2025.
- Mahmoud Dahoud → Brighton — versatile German midfielder added to De Zerbi’s midfield profile.
- Sardar Azmoun → Roma — prolific Iran international brought into Serie A.
- Romelu Lukaku → Napoli (from Chelsea) — marquee No. 9 move valued around €45m.
- Dean Huijsen → Bournemouth — top defensive prospect advanced to the Premier League.
- Ian Maatsen → Borussia Dortmund; Aston Villa — back-to-back step ups following standout loans.
- Lloyd Kelly → Juventus — proven Premier League defender to a European giant.
- Piero Hincapié → Bayer Leverkusen — cornerstone left-sided centre-back for the Bundesliga leaders.
- Ismaïla Sarr → Marseille — high-impact wide forward added to OM’s attack.
- Valy Konaté → AS Monaco — rising defender placed in Ligue 1’s elite development environment.
- Soumaila Coulibaly → Brest — athletic left-sided centre-back positioned for consistent top-flight minutes.
The Roster Keeps Growing
Epic Sports continues to welcome high-ceiling talents who match our values and ambition. Justin Kluivert joined Epic Sports after gaining experience across all five of Europe’s top leagues and is now entering his prime at AFC Bournemouth.
His brother, Ruben Kluivert, signed from Olympique Lyonnais, reinforcing the family’s trust in Epic’s development-first approach. Archie Brown’s arrival from KAA Gent to Fenerbahçe exemplifies our focus on creating the right platform before chasing the next step.
Recent Coverage You Can Explore
We have been documenting the principles behind these results and the stories of the players who embody them. Our deep-dive on Ali Barat’s agency philosophy distills the strategy, trust, and execution framework that underpins Epic’s work.
Our feature on Ruben Kluivert’s signing explains why his profile fits Epic’s pathway design and references his brother Justin Kluivert's addition to the roster. The Justin Kluivert piece traces his five-league journey and why Epic’s structure is built for his next leap.
Our article on Archie Brown’s decision details the transfer dynamics and career architecture behind his move. We also covered Epic Sports’ strategic collaboration with Deloitte Legal Italy, a cornerstone initiative that strengthens our international structure and compliance as the football agency scales.
What Comes Next
Awards validate a moment; structure sustains a decade. Epic Sports will continue to prioritize the right move over the quick move, to build brands that endure alongside performances, and to negotiate from a position of preparation rather than reaction. The Golden Boy 2025 “Best Agent” honor is a milestone on that path - not the finish line.
