Ex-Man Utd Player Negotiated His Own Professional Contract Using ChatGPT

A former Manchester United academy graduate has explained how he negotiated his latest professional contract using ChatGPT.

Demetri Mitchell, who progressed through the ranks at United before making his Premier League debut on the final day of the 2016/17 campaign, is currently at League One side Leyton Orient following spells at Blackpool, Hibernian and Exeter.

The 28-year-old penned a two-year deal with Richie Wellens's side in June this year and has since made 10 appearances in all competitions for the club.

Away from the pitch and Mitchell has previously featured on numerous podcasts. Earlier this year, he explained why the finances of a professional footballer are "a lot different than people realise".

And in his most recent guest appearance, the former England youth international revealed that he negotiated his own contract at Leyton Orient using AI chatbot ChatGPT.

Speaking on the From My Left podcast, he said: "They [Leyton Orient] sent me an offer and then I started using ChatGPT, asking them how to negotiate the deal and what to say in it."

"I asked it, 'This is what I was on last season. I am moving to London, [so what is] the cost of living. My missus is going to move down with me with my little one.'

"I did think I was worth a little bit more as well, but you don't want to be like, 'Oh yeah, I think I should be earning X amount'. And then also because I didn't use an agent. I get that as a signing-on fee."

As well as posting the above clip from this month's podcast episode, Mitchell captioned a post on X: "ChatGPT has been my best agent to date. Agent fees are 5%. ChatGPT £15 [per] month for premium."

Demetri Mitchell gives insight into life of a professional footballer

As mentioned above, Mitchell explained why the finances of a professional player are "a lot different than people realise" as he opened up on his experiences in the game.

"Footballers' finances are a lot different than most people realise," he said on TikTok. "Here's an insight into why."

The former United full-back would go on to explain the so-called "big difference" between the career of a doctor, for example, and a lower league footballer.

"People have this thing about footballers being paid so well, and we are very fortunate," said Mitchell. "But there's a big difference between somebody earning two or three grand a week that's a professional footballer and somebody earning two or three grand a week that's a doctor.

"The difference is the doctor is guaranteed pretty much [that amount] until he's 65, whereas players in the EFL from League One downwards are on one or two-year contracts.

"Let's say you're getting three grand a week - you're getting taxed 45 per cent, and then you've got five percent agent fees. You've only seen half of that, so you've got £1,500 that you're getting in a week.

"Don't get me wrong it's a good amount of money, but when you've got a mortgage and a car, and then your missus can't work because she's living away from Manchester, your expenses are very high.

"So when that contract is finished – and you've got the expenses of four grand a month – you're in a bit of a pickle. You have to be careful with your money and your spending."

"It's not as lucrative and glamorous as it seems," added Mitchell. "You've got to think about life after football. It's not a career you're going to be in at 65 – it's a career that you're in for the next two years guaranteed if you're on a two-year contract."