Nick Taitague’s soccer career seemed so promising.

The Virginia native – a U.S. youth national team member at the U-15 through 20 levels, and who scored 12 goals in 15 matches with the U-18 side – was one of the top young American players in Germany. Playing alongside Weston McKennie and Haji Wright, he turned heads with his performances on Schalke 04’s U-19 squad.

But after promotion to the first team before the 2020-21 Bundesliga season, he suffered a back injury. That led to other issues, including a torn hamstring and plantar fasciitis. 

In May of 2021, Taitague announced his retirement from pro soccer. He was 22 years old. After chasing the professional dream since he was a child, he had no idea what to do next.

But he did know about sports agents. He signed with Centre Circle as a 15-year-old. They’d managed his career since then, through good times and tough ones. He liked the impact agents could have on players, and realized that he already had relationships with many athletes, in the U.S. and abroad.

His good friend Tyler Adams connected him with Lyle Yorks. The former University of Virginia national champion is global executive chair for YMU Group. Taitague was a great fit.

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