Johnny Peeters - Scout

Johnny Peeters

A football enthusiast from a young age, Johnny grew up in Anderlecht and played in the youth leagues for RSC Anderlecht. He then continued his career in the Belgian 2nd and 3rd divisions. At 35, he became a coach, inspired by his 7-year-old son who had also started playing football. Coaching reconnected him with past acquaintances and led him into the scouting profession. This was a pivotal time for him, during which he learned much about the techniques and art of scouting talented players.

Lukaku, Januzaj, Mertens, Kums

The introduction of the Bosman ruling in 2000 brought significant changes. Clubs were faced with big questions about the future of youth players. Johnny was tasked with expanding youth recruitment at RSC Anderlecht, shifting the focus from national to local scouting. This strategic change led to the discovery of talents like Romelu Lukaku, Adnan Januzaj, Sven Kums, Obbi Oulare, Dries Mertens, Jason Denayer, and Junior Malanda.

Senior Scout at Man United

Johnny’s extensive knowledge caught the attention of several international clubs. In 2016, he accepted an offer from Manchester United to strengthen their scouting structure. As a scout, Johnny was responsible for identifying top football talents in the Belgian and Dutch youth leagues. As a Senior Scout specializing in young talent, he worked for the English club for seven years.

Johnny's weekdays involved processing information from youth matches and analyzing games in the Challenger Pro League, focusing on young talents. The overall picture was crucial, with aspects like motor skills, physicality, technique, tactical understanding, and football intelligence being key.

Scout at Claes Agency

In 2023, Johnny embarked on a new journey, joining Claes Agency as a scout. At Claes Agency, he leverages his years of scouting experience to create a more sustainable recruitment narrative. He emphasizes a personal approach, engaging closely with players and their circles, and focusing on long-term development. His current role at Claes Agency highlights a customized approach and deeper involvement with players and their families, prioritizing transparency and expertise.