Chapter 65

In the traditional sense, in English football, only three clubs have had a dominant era: Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal.

Clubs like Everton and Tottenham can be considered influential, but they are far from being considered top clubs. As for Chelsea, which rose to prominence later, before the year 2000, they were not even considered a traditional powerhouse.

When Audrich sought influential figures in contemporary football, Arsenal was struggling, with Houghton, who took over the team halfway through the previous season, already leaving, and his successor being Bruce Rioch. As for Liverpool, Audrich had no particular relationship with their manager, Roy Evans, and the fact that he had poached three players from Liverpool's youth team in Merseyside had been deliberately exposed by Gerrard. Clearly, Liverpool would not welcome Audrich's visit.

The only person with significant influence left was Manchester United's manager, Alex Ferguson, who was about to enter his tenth year in charge of the club.

When Audrich called Ferguson's home and briefly explained the situation, Ferguson immediately agreed without hesitation and then had an interested conversation with Audrich about Shevchenko.

Although the transfer was not yet complete and Manchester United might try to poach him, Audrich did not think Ferguson would pay nearly two million pounds for a player they had not evaluated. Even though Audrich's team had many talented players, there was always a risk of misjudgment, which was common in football. Even the most discerning managers could end up with a "thousand-mile horse" that didn't live up to expectations.

As for the reward for helping with the matter, the shrewd Ferguson did not even mention it. Both being intelligent, they understood each other implicitly. Audrich owed Ferguson a favor, and there would be a time when Manchester United would need Audrich's cooperation.

With Ferguson's backing, Audrich had no more worries about Shevchenko's transfer.

In early July, after a call from Andrew, Audrich, who had planned to pause the transfer, was once again busy.

In the hotel where the team was staying for training, Audrich pushed open the meeting room door, closed it gently, and slowly walked to the table where Andrew was sitting.

"Really? Does his whole family agree?"

Audrich spoke in a low voice because, from a legal standpoint, the operation could be illegal, although the consequences would not be severe, it could be a significant blow to his reputation.

Andrew, stroking his chin, also spoke in a low voice, "Agree? They can't wait to move out of the slums! I've been to Brazil, Audrich, you don't know how lucky the kids in East London are. After seeing the slums in Brazil, I realized how fortunate they are. In Brazil's slums, those kids either become famous through football and leave, or they become drug dealers or pawns of gangs. In comparison, East London is heaven. Can you imagine how normal it is to be woken up by gunshots at midnight?"

Audrich had some understanding of the chaos in South America at this time, but he had not experienced it firsthand, so he did not comment.

Unbuttoning his suit, hands on his hips, Audrich closed his eyes and thought for a moment before asking, "How much will it cost?"

"Bringing them to the UK will cost 1.05 million pounds. Additionally, providing them with a living allowance and job opportunities, I estimate you will need to invest over 2 million pounds in this family over the next five years. Uh, Audrich, to be honest, I think it's a bit risky and not worth it."

Andrew cautiously expressed his thoughts.

Audrich breathed heavily.

His mind raced.

Two million pounds?

Is it worth the risk?

Among the Brazilian family, there is a child named Ronaldo de Assis Moreira.

Or, as he is better known: Ronaldinho!

At just 15 years old, he was unexpectedly discovered by one of Andrew's scouts in Brazil.

After learning about Ronaldinho's family situation, Andrew had the scout make initial contact.

The family's livelihood depended almost entirely on the mother and the older brother, but the brother's earnings at Grêmio were negligible. The Brazilian football market was far from the prosperity it would see a decade later, which is why Brazilian stars continued to move to Europe every year, unlike the situation about 20 years later, when Brazilian stars preferred to stay in the country, where they could earn as much as in Europe.

The father had died early, and there was an older sister. This story was all too familiar, as the majority of Brazilian stars had similar tragic childhoods.

Audrich only wanted Ronaldinho, but that was impossible.

If he acted first, he would have to bring the entire family to the UK, except for the older brother, who could already support himself.

"Can the immigration authorities handle it?"

"No problem, just follow the procedures. It's just a matter of time and the review process, which can be handled by a lawyer."

"Then help me make this happen. I can't use the club's account, but I'll give you 2 million pounds privately. I need two things confirmed: first, that the family's life is secure after they immigrate, including the sister's schooling or job, and the mother's arrangements, without any issues. Second, that he will join the Millwall youth team, and not end up with another club after all this effort."

After much consideration, Audrich finally made up his mind, showing a ruthless determination.

If he hadn't found Ronaldinho, it would be one thing, but now that he had, how could he hesitate?

Even if it meant a significant investment, he had to bring him over.

Andrew stood up, his eyes fixed on Audrich, and asked, "Are you sure? This is a 2 million pound investment!"

Who wouldn't be heartbroken if it went to waste?!

Audrich remained silent for a while, then finally nodded firmly.

Andrew said no more, picked up his phone, and started working.

Handling such an immigration case, the Hall family's influence was almost like giving money, but it was also secure.

The money would not go directly to Ronaldinho but would be used to purchase 1 million pounds worth of British bonds, which could not be exchanged or traded for a certain period.

The rest, including housing and jobs, would be arranged in the UK. What the family would receive was a British passport, a good reputation, and a modest bank balance.

For a Brazilian family living in the slums, this was like a dream come true. Moving from the slums to the international metropolis of London was a huge leap.

The entire process would take at least six months, but Audrich was not in a hurry. Ronaldinho was only 15, and there was plenty of time to develop him. Whether the investment would pay off depended on whether Ronaldinho would be ungrateful. If he refused to sign a full-time contract with Millwall after turning 18 and joined another club, Audrich would be helpless.

From late May to late June, Audrich worked tirelessly and completed the summer transfers with lightning speed. Once the transfer window opened, Millwall officially announced several transfers, and the Villas moved to London, with 14-year-old David Villa joining the Millwall youth academy.

In mid-July, after the FA's hearing, the formalities for Shevchenko's transfer were completed.

While other clubs were still scouring the transfer market, Audrich held an official press conference, introducing the new signings and declaring the end of the summer transfer window.

Joe Cole, Ashley Cole, Joan Capdevila, and David Villa all joined the Millwall youth academy, while six players joined the first team: Ivan Helguera, Danny Mills, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo, and Andriy Shevchenko.

This brought the total number of players in the Millwall first team to 30 for the new season.

The first team roster was somewhat crowded, but Audrich did not see it that way. Many players, such as Lampard, Ferdinand, and Shevchenko, were under 20 and needed only 20 appearances a season to develop. More than that might not be beneficial.

At the Lion's Den, the six new first-team players donned their new jerseys and showcased their skills, with Pirlo and Shevchenko's ball control drawing particular attention from the attending journalists.

It was just a press conference, and Audrich did not intend to make a big fuss. In the subsequent press conference, he expressed satisfaction with the summer transfers, but the journalists were skeptical.

Not just in England, but in London, Chelsea had signed the European and World Footballer of the Year, Gullit, and Arsenal had brought in Bergkamp from Italy.

How could the club that spent the most last season, Millwall, only sign a bunch of kids?

Even if signing players like Lampard and Ferdinand from rival youth teams could generate some news, who had ever seen Pirlo or Shevchenko play?

Not to mention bringing in Helguera from Spain and Mills from the relegated Norwich.

"Insufficient transfers?"

Audrich crossed his arms on the table and shook his head with a smile in response to the journalists' questions.

What was the point of signing a 33-year-old World Footballer of the Year, Gullit? To run a retirement home?

As for Bergkamp, Audrich would have liked him, but Arsenal had paid a record-breaking 7 million pounds for him.

Even if Millwall could afford it, would Bergkamp come? Would he be as happy to pack his bags for Millwall as he was for Arsenal?

Facing the journalists' challenges, Audrich smiled slyly and said, "Last summer, I remember The Times evaluated Millwall's summer transfers as a disaster. You can write the same this year. It doesn't matter. Let's discuss whether this summer's transfers were a success or a failure next year at this time."

With that, Audrich smiled and left.

The six new players watched Audrich's confident back and smiled in unison.

Such a boss, truly unique.