No.1 Ranked FIFA Player Leaves Hashtag United In Historic Six-Figure Transfer

History has been made in FIFA esports after No.1 ranked player Tom Leese moved for a six-figure transfer fee.

Last month, Sky Sports reported that Hashtag United, the Isthmian League North Division club set up by SpencerFC five years ago, received two bids - both between £50,000 and £100,000 - for Leese's services.

The Tags would have accepted an offer from EXCEL, with the first of its kind transfer confirmed by the UK esports team on Friday.

Leese becomes the first professional FIFA player signed by EXCEL, who have Spurs star Dele Alli as an ambassador.

Professional Fortnite player Jaden "Wolfiez" Ashman, the youngest gamer to earn $1 million in esports, is also on their books.

Leese started playing professionally for the FUTWiz Academy when he was 17 and was quickly banned from mini-tournaments with his friends at each other's houses.

Instead, he competed in tournaments on the big stage and won a whopping £20,000 in prize money after going all the way in his debut.

In August 2020, he achieved the biggest victory of his career when he represented Watford and won the ePremier League.

He's also played FIFA professionally for England and now embarks on an exciting move in his esports journey.

Commenting on the groundbreaking news, Leese said: “I am proud to be joining the EXCEL team as their first-ever professional FIFA signing!

"When EXCEL first approached me, the idea of working together definitely caught my attention. The drive within the EXCEL team to constantly improve and the commitment to jumping straight into the competitive FIFA space really excites me. 

“I want to take my competitive performance and content up another gear and continue to build myself and the growing team whilst doing this, and I feel EXCEL is the perfect place for me to do this. I believe we both share a vision and drive to establish ourselves as a leading team in the scene and I’m looking forward to making that happen!” 

Leese typically spends around 10 hours a day on FIFA and has gone on record to say his main motivation in the scene is to look after his family.

Featured Image Credit: Image: EXCEL & Hashtag United

Topics: FIFA 22, FIFA

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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