Inside the Vision: A Conversation with Our Founder

dwinter45
Mar 27
3 min read

David Winter (Luna Sports Agency)

What gave you the idea to create LUNA?

"From my experience as a lawyer. I've seen too many players not have the career they deserved — often because of a dispute, a conflict with a club that led to a downward spiral they couldn't recover from. That reality, that lack of support at the moment when it truly matters, is what motivated me to create the agency."

What mistake has taught you the most since the beginning of this adventure?

"That you can't work with everyone. Whether it's with clubs or with players, you need an aligned vision, a genuine understanding. It's a team effort — if the player doesn't trust us, we can't move forward together. I've learned to identify earlier when those elements aren't in place, because when they're not, it ends up blocking things on both sides."

The entourage is often singled out in the world of football. In what way is this a real problem, and what role can an agency play in response?

"One of the main problems young players face as soon as they start getting noticed is their entourage. It might sound like a strong word, but it's truly one of the plagues of football, everywhere in the world. Bad influences exist, and since these players are young — and therefore very impressionable — the people around them can cause considerable harm, not necessarily intentionally. That's where outside guidance becomes valuable. When it's a family member or someone close (who can, of course, also play a very important role for the player), there's inevitably an emotional dynamic that complicates things. Being external allows you to step back, better understand the issues, and ultimately give better advice. Managing a professional career should be entrusted to people who are trained to do so."

How do you make sure a club is reliable before entering into negotiations?

"There are several aspects to consider. The first is the club's environment — not just the facilities, but above all the genuine willingness to play the player, to contribute to their development, to allow them to progress. You can never be 100% certain of that, it also depends on the player's performance, but that intention must be there from the start. Then come the contractual conditions: the length of the contract, the long-term project on offer, and of course compensation in line with the player's level. Not forgetting living conditions — being well housed, well integrated. Everything that ensures their time at the club goes as smoothly as possible."s

Your international network is one of your strengths. Can you tell us more?

"Our strength lies in our knowledge of several cultural environments — France, Spain, and South America, where I have lived and where we have offices. But also certain African countries, particularly Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Senegal, where we have local partners. When a player comes from one of these countries, we know their culture, their points of reference, and therefore the difficulties they may face when arriving in Europe. This cultural closeness allows us to support them well beyond the contract: helping them adapt, helping them feel at home in their new environment."

What can an agency like LUNA bring to a young player?

"Three essential things. First, the human side. Being genuinely present for the player — when things are going well, but especially when they're not. Being attentive to their needs, to how they feel within the club, to what they're going through day to day.

Then, professionalism. The experience I gained as a lawyer allows us to approach every situation with rigour and thoroughness. And that leads to the third point: protection. Always being on the player's side, defending their interests, making as few concessions as possible to clubs. But protection also means on a personal level — making sure the player is in a healthy environment, that they're not going through difficult situations within their club. The psychological aspect is fully part of our support, and these aren't just words — we work alongside a clinical psychologist to support everyone who joins us."

Luna Sports Agency, 2026