Demetri Mitchell Substitutes Agents for AI in Transfer Deal
Aiman Khalid
Oct 12, 2025, 12:27 PM ET
Demetri Mitchell, a former youth player for Manchester United, revealed that he relied on the AI platform ChatGPT during the negotiation for his recent transfer to Leyton Orient in League One, stating that it has been his “most effective agent thus far.”
Starting his career at Old Trafford, Mitchell made one league appearance for United before moving on to play for clubs such as Hearts, Blackpool, Hibernian, and Exeter City.
In the summer, the 28-year-old transitioned from Exeter to Orient without an agent, a move that is quite unusual in the world of professional football.
“Leyton Orient made me an offer, and I began asking ChatGPT how to negotiate the terms and what I should say,” Mitchell explained during his appearance on the From My Left podcast.
“I took into account the cost of living in London, as my partner and our child would be moving with me. I felt my worth was slightly higher, but I didn’t want to come off as presumptuous by saying I deserved a certain amount.”
“Since I didn’t have an agent, I essentially received the agent fee as part of my signing bonus. An agent might have secured me a few hundred pounds more, but in these deals, the amounts aren’t substantial.”
“The extra money the agent could have negotiated would likely be offset by their commission anyway.”
Mitchell further critiqued football agents, expressing concern that low-league players often have limited and unsatisfactory choices for representation.
“There are three types of agents,” he noted:
- Those affiliated with agencies earning a set salary.
- Agents from larger agencies focused on attracting emerging talents who lose interest once the player is no longer seen as a prospect.
- Independent agents motivated primarily by profit, seeking quick deals regardless of the player’s circumstances.
“It’s tough to find a reputable agent in the lower leagues because those are the only options available,” he added.
Mitchell has represented England at youth levels from Under-16s to Under-20s and was included in the preliminary 60-man squad for Jamaica ahead of the 2025 Gold Cup.
This season, he has made eight appearances for Leyton Orient but is still searching for his first goal with the club.
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