CAA Base has established itself as a leading force in European soccer representation. Following CAA Sports’ acquisition of Base Soccer, the agency now represents stars such as Cole Palmer, Moisés Caicedo, and Carlo Ancelotti. From career management and contract negotiations to the regulatory challenges surrounding the FFAR, discover how one of modern soccer’s most influential agencies operates.
Last updated: 06/05/2026
CAA Base has established itself in recent years as one of the leading forces in global soccer representation. Formed through the merger of two entities, the agency is now one of the most influential organizations in the industry and has become a benchmark in the field.
With around 630 active clients, a portfolio valued at nearly €1.3 billion ($1.4 billion), and a presence across five continents, CAA Base is far more than a traditional player agency. It represents a true career management model in modern soccer and perfectly illustrates the evolution of the sports agent profession.
Let’s now take a closer look at what CAA Base really is, how the agency operates, and which players it represents.
CAA Base is the soccer division of Creative Artists Agency Sports, itself the sports branch of Creative Artists Agency (CAA), one of the world’s largest entertainment and sports agencies. Based in London, CAA Base specializes in representing professional soccer players, primarily in the Premier League and Europe’s top leagues.
The agency is not limited to player representation. It also supports coaches, sporting directors, and media consultants in managing their careers.
CAA Base has built its identity around a clear promise: “Commitment to Honesty.” This commitment to honesty and transparency is designed to build long-term trust with the clients it represents.
In 1997, Leon Angel, one of the first agents licensed by the The Football Association (FA) in the United Kingdom, founded Base Soccer Agency in London. His goal was to structure professional player representation as a true business rather than a simple negotiation service.
From its earliest years, the agency established itself in the Premier League and built strong relationships with clubs and English players.
During the 2000s and 2010s, the explosion of television rights and the globalization of the transfer market transformed the industry, pushing Base Soccer to adapt its model:
On the eve of its acquisition by CAA, Base Soccer represented more than 300 international players, coaches, and managers, including several starters for the England national team.
In July 2019, CAA Sports acquired Base Soccer Agency as part of its expansion strategy in global soccer.
The transition from Base Soccer to CAA Base marked a new phase for the English organization. The agency retained its London identity and strong Premier League roots while gaining access to the global resources of CAA Sports:
CAA Base operates as a global representation agency that supports soccer players both on and off the field.
The agency offers a comprehensive approach to client management, ranging from career planning to legal support.
CAA Base’s role extends far beyond negotiating employment contracts.
Its model differs from that of an independent agent through the scale of its resources and its ability to manage complex cases involving multiple countries, clubs, and regulatory frameworks at the same time.
The agency provides clients with support across every aspect of their careers:
CAA Base plans transfers, advises players on club decisions, and develops long-term strategies tailored to each athlete’s objectives throughout their career.
The agency negotiates every contractual detail, from fixed salaries and performance bonuses to release clauses and extension options.
CAA Base continuously monitors FIFA and national federation regulations, manages disputes, and ensures every transaction complies with current legal frameworks.
The agency supports clients with wealth structuring, tax optimization, and long-term income management throughout a professional career.
CAA Base oversees commercial partnerships, social media presence, and media relations to strengthen an athlete’s personal brand beyond on-field performance.
During transfers, CAA Base assists with housing searches, relocation, and family support, allowing athletes to focus entirely on their profession.
CAA Base is one of the few major agencies to have invested heavily in representing professional women’s players. As early as the 2010s, the agency represented several England internationals, including Fran Kirby and Georgia Stanway, both of whom took part in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup with England.
This positioning reflects the growth of women’s soccer and distinguishes the agency from many competitors that were slower to invest in the sector.
Leon Angel remains Head of Soccer and Registered Intermediary for the agency. A longstanding figure in Premier League player representation, he is one of the few sports agents whose name is associated with building an institution rather than simply managing a client portfolio.
Frank Trimboli, co-director of the agency, was nominated for the “Agent of the Year” award at the Globe Soccer Awards in 2025, a distinction recognizing some of the most influential professionals in global soccer.
CAA Base represents around 630 active clients, nearly 210 of whom compete in major leagues. The agency’s portfolio includes Premier League players, Championship players, and international talent competing across several European and South American leagues.
Among the agency’s most prominent clients are several current Premier League stars.
Cole Palmer, Chelsea winger and England international, is one of the leading names in the CAA Base portfolio. Signed by Chelsea in 2023 for around €45 million ($50 million) from Manchester City F.C., he quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most productive players.
Eberechi Eze, now an Arsenal F.C. player and England international, is another major profile represented by the agency. After emerging at Crystal Palace F.C., he joined the London club in a transfer worth around €70 million ($75 million). The agency supported him throughout his progression to the highest level.
Moisés Caicedo, Chelsea’s Ecuadorian midfielder, is one of the most expensive players ever transferred at his position. His move from Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. to Chelsea F.C. in 2023 was completed for around €115 million ($125 million). The deal illustrates the agency’s ability to manage negotiations on a very large scale.
CAA Base also stands out through its representation of coaches and sporting directors, a strategic area in modern professional soccer.
Carlo Ancelotti is represented by CAA Base. The current Brazil head coach and former Real Madrid CF manager is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in soccer history. He notably holds the record for the most victories in European club competitions, with 116 wins. His presence in the agency’s portfolio reflects CAA Base’s ambitions in elite-level coach representation.
After transitioning into coaching following a top-level playing career, Frank Lampard managed Derby County F.C., Chelsea F.C., and Everton F.C..
Since November 2024, he has served as head coach of Coventry City F.C. in the Championship. He guided the club to promotion for the 2026–27 Premier League season, Coventry’s first return to the top flight since 2001.
Represented by CAA Base, Frank Lampard illustrates the agency’s ability to support complex career transitions, from iconic player to professional coach.
The implementation of the FFAR (FIFA Football Agent Regulations) in January 2023 significantly changed how the representation industry operates. Adopted by FIFA after several years of consultation, the regulations aim to increase market transparency and better regulate conflicts of interest.
The FFAR notably introduced caps on the commissions agents may receive during transactions:
CAA Base is among the agencies involved in legal challenges against certain FFAR provisions, particularly those related to commission caps.
This opposition, led by several major industry players, highlights the tensions between FIFA’s regulatory ambitions and the economic interests of representation agencies.
For candidates preparing for the FIFA agent exam, this controversy offers a concrete example of the FFAR’s impact on market practices and illustrates why a strong understanding of these regulations has become essential.
The coexistence of CAA Base and CAA Stellar within the same CAA Sports group often creates confusion. However, the two entities remain separate organizations with different histories, positioning, and client portfolios.
| Criteria | CAA Base | CAA Stellar |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Base Soccer Agency (London, 1997) | Stellar Group (London, 1990s) |
| Founders | Leon Angel | Jonathan Barnett, David Manasseh |
| Acquired by CAA | 2019 | 2020 |
| Main Geographic Focus | Premier League, England | Major European leagues |
| Client Base | Men’s soccer, English women’s soccer, coaches | European men’s soccer, coaches |
| Approach | Global representation, “Commitment to Honesty” | “Total management” |
CAA Base and CAA Stellar operate under the same parent company, CAA Sports, but remain separate agencies with their own teams, corporate cultures, and representation strategies.
CAA Base has successfully adapted to the evolution of professional soccer over several decades. Founded in 1997 by a single FA-licensed agent, the agency gradually evolved into a division of a global entertainment and sports group while preserving its London identity.
CAA Base’s involvement in discussions surrounding the FFAR also demonstrates the growing influence of major agencies within the modern soccer economy. Today, these organizations do far more than negotiate contracts. They play a central role in the transfer market and in the broader structure of professional soccer.
