
‘Worst display of darts ever' – Rashford's Barcelona transfer brokered by agent who played in World Darts Championship
Simon Leaf, of law firm Mishcon de Reya, helped broker Rashford's loan deal to
4
Marcus Rashford made his escape from Man Utd when he signed a season-long loan with Spanish giants Barcelona
Credit: Getty
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The deal was brokered in part by lawyer and darts fanatic Simon Leaf (top right)
Credit: INSTAGRAM @danerashford
Leaf, who heads up his firm's sport and technology division, was drafted in by Rashford's brother and agent Dwaine Maynard to help with the financial details.
He has previously worked alongside Premier League clubs, sports stars, and whole nations to provide financial advice and insight.
However, away from the world of glamorous contract deals, Leaf was previously known for his involvement in the world of darts.
While studying at Cambridge University, Leaf participated in a televised darts match against counterparts from Oxford.
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Leaf took on Mark Carpenter of Oxford from the 2005 World Darts Championships at Lakeside Country Club in Surrey.
The match was calamitous, with both players at one point becoming stuck repeatedly shooting for double one.
The game dragged on so long that caller Rab Butler had to be brought a chair as the pair fumbled for the final double.
In the end it was Carpenter who found it, adding insult to injury on top of what was already a slightly embarrassing stage appearance for Leaf.
Most read in Darts
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Both Leaf and his opponent had shockers on stage as they battled over a double one
Credit: BBC
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Leaf took part in a televised varsity darts match between Cambridge and Oxford universities at a World Championship of Darts event
Credit: BBC
Carpenter's awkward attempt to hug the referee in his relief summed up a rather uninspiring match, a far cry from the sporting royalty that has blessed the stage at Lakeside.
Outside of darts, Leaf has also refereed semi-professional football.
Marcus Rashford can't contain his excitement after agreeing Barcelona transfer
The
Rashford will be thanking all this experience as it helped negotiate his move away from Manchester United after he was frozen out from the main squad by manager
The striker has
Amorim has made it clear he will not play for United while he is in charge.
Rashford has been given the No14 shirt previously worn by big names including Johan Cruyff,
Thierry Henry
and
Ronald Koeman
.
We revealed that Rashford
She took his photo, then moved behind him to take another and seemingly checked his shirt before
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