How to Navigate the Football Agency Landscape: Insights from DJM's Founders

As football fans, we hear plenty about transfers, contracts, and “the business of the game.” What we don’t often see is the day-to-day reality of player representation: the calls that go unanswered, the logistics that pile up during a window, and the support players need when things don’t go to plan.

We at ATHLIVO spoke with the founders of DJM Sports about how they’ve built their agency, the lessons they’ve learned so far, and the operational habits they use to stay organized.

Who DJM is and why they started

DJM was founded in 2022 by Dapo Kayode, Jesse Edge, and Moses Makinde. Each founder brings a different career path, but they share the same perspective: representation only works when players feel supported and informed. Jesse, who is from New Zealand, described how challenging it can be to relocate across continents for football. That experience shaped the type of agency they wanted to build, one that stays close to the player, not just the deal.

Why transparency is a practical advantage

When we asked what separates a helpful agent from an unreliable one, Dapo pointed to a simple thing: availability and honesty. He’s seen situations where agents disappear during tough stretches, especially when a player is injured or struggling to find a new club. DJM’s approach is to communicate clearly and stay involved, even when the conversation is difficult. That consistency is a big part of how they build trust.

Relationships are the work

Jesse emphasized that football runs on relationships, with clubs, coaches, and players alike. DJM aims to make those relationships personal and long-term, rather than transactional. That’s also why they don’t try to work with everyone. They want to understand a player’s situation properly and be confident they can support them before taking them on.

Staying organized during the window: how ATHLIVO fits into their workflow

Transfer windows create a different kind of pressure. Timelines compress; clubs move quickly; and the volume of messages, documents, and follow-ups increases. DJM uses ATHLIVO to keep the operational side under control by centralizing player data, tracking club interest, and staying on top of tasks that can’t slip (like responding to inbound questions, sharing materials, or recording where conversations stand). When everything is moving fast, that structure helps them spend less time chasing information and more time on judgment calls and player support.

For more context on this approach, we’ve written about why many agencies move from spreadsheets to Football CRM technology, and why purpose-built tools can reduce the “do it yourself traps” of generic workflows: here.

What they believe gives them an edge

Dapo explained that their playing background helps them understand the pressure players face, on and off the pitch. It also changes how they communicate: they can speak from experience when setting expectations, giving feedback, or helping a player think through options. They also mentioned that being in their early thirties puts them in a position to relate to younger players while still operating with professionalism. For them, it’s about balancing empathy with clear decision-making.

What DJM is building next

Looking ahead three to five years, DJM has big ambitions. Dapo shared that they want to see clients competing in major European leagues, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. They also see opportunity in emerging markets, particularly in Asia. At the same time, Jesse was clear that they try not to get distracted by targets alone. Their focus stays on the daily work: maintaining relationships, staying organized, and doing the basics well.

Closing

Football representation can feel opaque from the outside. What stood out in our conversation with DJM is how much of the job comes down to consistent communication and reliable operations, especially when players need help the most.