SKOUTED is the revolutionary tool that could help clubs inside and outside of the Premier League find the next big thing.
The free app, co-created by ex Manchester United footballer Febian Brandy in 2019, is designed to put footballers in the shop window.
HOW IT WORKS
Players can build up a profile that includes video clips of them in action and scouts will be able to search the Skouted database featuring hundreds of players that can be filtered down to position, player style and even their location.
But it won’t be all professional… in fact, the Skouted’s founders hope they will be able to create a social media community for the football community.
Brandy created the app with Loughborough University student and rugby player Keita Orelaja, entrepreneur Raj Sharma and CTO Harjot Singh.
“At the moment there is a big gap between players and clubs,” Orelaja told SunSport.
“There’s a high number of talented players that can be missed by clubs and scouts due to time or geographical location.
“So that means a lot of players aren’t able to play at the level that their talent will allow them.
“With Skouted we hope to bridge that gap, where players can come on the platform, create a detailed profile of themselves and can upload highlights of their playing career.
“Our verified registered scouts, all the way from Premier League down to non-league, British universities and even American colleges will be able to search for talent through key filters.
“Location, position, playing style, etc. A drop down list of players that match their search criteria will show.”
With Skouted we hope to bridge that gap, where players can come on the platform, create a detailed profile of themselves and can upload highlights of their playing career.”
Skouted co-founder, Keita Orelaja
FEBIEN BRANDY’S VIEW
Brandy is adamant that this is what the game needs at this time, citing his own personal experience in the youth set up at the Red Devils.
“My time at Manchester United, I was there from the age of eight to about 21, so you can imagine how many players I saw come and go,” he said.
“For me, I was quite fortunate to be there for as long as I was.
“But I saw players there that might not have had the ability to play for Manchester United, but they could’ve gone to a club like a Bury, Blackburn or Oldham.
“They just didn’t have the connection then to reach those teams. But if they had Skouted, all their videos will be uploaded and all the teams from Premier League to non-league would be able to see that individual’s qualities.”
So far the interest in Skouted has reached fever pitch, with a large number of clubs confirming they will use the app.
WHO WILL SKOUTED BENEFIT?
Orelaja said: “We’ve got a lot of different opportunities for players on various levels – Premier League clubs, Championship clubs and non-league.
“As you go lower down, you really start to see the value in it.
“League One, League Two clubs don’t necessarily have the same scouting budget that someone like Manchester City has.
“And scouts could be traveling 45 minutes to watch one game, you’re there for 90 minutes, then you’ve got to travel another 45 minutes to get back… that’s 3 hours to see one player.
“In that time, you could assess hundreds of players on Skouted, save them and track their progress on our app.
“It allows lower clubs more access to a lot more talent that otherwise they may not have been able to reach because of funding.”
THERE WILL BE OTHER USES FOR SKOUTED TOO
But Skouted isn’t just for pros looking for new clubs. In fact, Orejala and Sharma believe it’ll be a hub for the football community as a whole.
“Skouted will be used as a tool for players, not just professionals, but anyone who wants to get scouted,” Orejala continued.
“And we’re also building a social community with a real social media aspect and feel.
“Finding a teammate, for example… all of us here have received a text message asking us if we’re free to play 5-a-side because a mate has dropped out at the last minute.
“One of the features of Skouted is to be able to put out a notification for a social player to play that night.
“It allows lower clubs more access to a lot more talent that otherwise they may not have been able to reach because of funding.”
Keita Orelaja
“We really want to be a hub for social communication and interaction in football, but we also want to provide an avenue for players who are more serious to make it at a higher level.
Sharma added: “The social element is key for us, because some users might not necessarily need or want to be scouted.
“They could instead set up a profile to be liked or followed.
“It could be used for entertainment purposes, best skills or goals, etc.
“We want to make it a go-to place for everything football and we’re going to try and make a football community.”
Brandy concluded: “I want Skouted to be accepted into the football industry.
“I’m still an active footballer at the moment, but now I’m working with Skouted it’s hard to juggle the two.
“I see Skouted as my longterm project, but haven’t hung up my boots just yet!”
Skouted is available to download from the App Store and Google Play. You can also follow Skouted on Instagram.
Keita Orelaja played rugby before he became an entrepreneur
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
