Epic Sports and Deloitte Legal Italy join forces
Epic Sports has announced a strategic consultancy collaboration with Deloitte Legal Italy to support the agency’s long-term growth, international structuring, and compliance footprint across markets. The partnership underscores the need for robust governance in an increasingly regulated football industry.
Who’s leading the work
The collaboration will be led by Andrea Bozza, Head of Football at Deloitte Legal Italy, a sports-law specialist who joined Deloitte Legal in December 2022.
What the partnership covers
Deloitte Legal will advise Epic Sports on:
- Strategic projects and cross-border transactions
- Regulatory and disciplinary compliance
- Contract drafting, review, and risk management
- Operational structuring as the agency scales internationally
Quote
“At Epic Sports, we believe that excellence starts with structure. Partnering with our strategic consultants enables us to consolidate our international footprint with the right expertise, vision, and legal precision,” said Ali Barat, Founder & CEO of Epic Sports.
About Ali Barat
Ali Barat is a FIFA-licensed football agent and the founder of Epic Sports. He received the Golden Boy “Best Agent” award in 2023.
Selected recent deals involving Epic Sports (highlights)
- Dean Huijsen → Real Madrid (2025, from Bournemouth) — record fee for a defender at Real Madrid; Epic Sports has publicly highlighted its role in the move.
- Nicolas Jackson → Bayern Munich (2025, loan with obligation/conditions from Chelsea) — significant package; Jackson is represented by Epic Sports.
- Xavi Simons → Tottenham Hotspur (2025, from RB Leipzig) — completed this summer; Barat has been credited as a key negotiator.
- Renato Veiga → Villarreal (2025, from Chelsea) — among Villarreal’s notable signings.
- Noni Madueke → Arsenal (2025, from Chelsea) — permanent transfer.
Additional high-profile moves and client milestones
- Moisés Caicedo → Chelsea (2023, from Brighton & Hove Albion) — the biggest transfer in Premier League history back then.
- Nicolas Jackson → Chelsea (2023, from Villarreal) — long-term deal at Stamford Bridge.
- Conor Gallagher → Atlético Madrid (2025, from Chelsea) — midfield switch to LaLiga.
- Johan Bakayoko → RB Leipzig (2025, from PSV Eindhoven) — winger’s step into the Bundesliga.
- Piero Hincapié → Bayer Leverkusen (2021, from Talleres) — cornerstone defensive signing in the Bundesliga.
- Lloyd Kelly → Newcastle United (2024, from Bournemouth); Juventus (subsequent move/arrangement referenced) — versatile defender’s top-level progression.
- Romelu Lukaku → Napoli (2025, from Chelsea) — marquee striker addition in Serie A.
- Ian Maatsen → Borussia Dortmund (2024, loan from Chelsea); Aston Villa (2025, permanent) — rapid rise through Bundesliga and Premier League moves.
- Kim Min-jae → Napoli (2022, from Fenerbahçe); Bayern Munich (2023, from Napoli) — elite centre-back’s ascent through Serie A and into the Bundesliga.
- Kendry Páez → Chelsea (agreement reached 2023) — blue-chip South American talent secured for the future.
Editor’s note: Some widely shared lists online conflate club records with league records. For example, Huijsen’s fee set Real Madrid’s record for a defender, not LaLiga’s overall all-time record.
Why it matters
As agent regulation tightens and cross-border transfers grow more complex, aligning with a top legal team helps Epic Sports standardize contracts, reduce regulatory risk, and execute transactions efficiently across jurisdictions—laying the groundwork for sustained, compliant growth.
About Epic Sports
Epic Sports is a global football agency led by Ali Barat, active in elite player representation and high-value transfers across the Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A and the Bundesliga.
