The truth behind the transfer of Wataru Endo, behind the too-hard negotiations… A talented agent reveals, “That’s why I can’t quit my agent.

The offer soon came in from Liverpool, and late at night on August 17, Endo was found at a hotel along the Mersey River, about 2 km from Liverpool’s home base. Negotiations continued throughout the night and were successfully completed on August 18, resulting in the signing of a long-term contract with a duration of four years, which is unusual for a 30-year-old player.

Endo immediately started playing in the game on the 19th. He took the pitch at the sacred Anfield Stadium. This was one of Endo’s dreams.

A Japanese player is needed and plays for one of the world’s top clubs. I got goosebumps watching him play. At lunch the day before the game, coach Klopp came all the way to see me and said, ‘Thank you for bringing a good player. I was surprised (laughs).”

As a popular agent, Endo’s work is extremely demanding. Endo usually works from his office in Shinagawa, Tokyo. He is in constant contact with clubs in Japan and abroad, never neglecting to build relationships to obtain information and to update his knowledge of the legal and tax systems in each country. He also checks on the games of the players he is in charge of, so he spends more than 16 hours a day at work, going to bed after 5:00 a.m. “What makes me happiest,” he says, “is when I get to see the players.

What makes me happiest is when the players are happy,” he says. Especially when, as in the case of the recent sailing, the players are suddenly able to build a career that is even more of a surprise than they had imagined. When that happens, the players, their families, and everyone around them are grateful. There is nothing more rewarding than that.