Transworld scoops The Secret Footballer

Transworld has signed The Secret Footballer, a professional player who writes anonymously about the Premier League in his books and Guardian columns. The anonymous writer will publish a new tell-all exposé with Transworld in May. His five previous titles since his debut, I Am The Secret Footballer in 2012, have been published by Guardian Faber.

The first of the two new books, The Secret Footballer: What Goes on Tour, will reveal "the worst, most embarrassing and most hilarious excesses" of Premier League stars, according to Transworld, from Marbella and Ibiza to Dubai and Las Vegas. Giles Elliott, editorial director, bought world rights in two books direct from the author.

Elliott said: "I’m over the moon to get TSF in on a transfer. His books never give less than 100% in terms of entertainment and enlightenment about the real lives of footballers, and What Goes on Tour will be an indispensable and eye-popping read for the poolside this summer."

Columnist and author, The Secret Footballer, added: "I have always tried to give every fan of football an insight in to the game that is unique, insightful and above all, honest. There are parts of the football world that are closed to fans, in fact almost all of what happens in football away from the pitch is closed. I have exposed much of it through The Secret Footballer columns and books. Some of the stories I've told are occasionally heart warming but many of them are about the ruthless nature of people that work in our industry and the culture that has been created by the billions of pounds invested in football today. Much of that money is spent on players and much more is spent by players on the trappings they surround themselves with. 

"I'm delighted to be published by Transworld who can help me to tell the story about what happens when players disappear from the limelight every summer to spend that money, what really happens in Vegas, what happens in Dubai, what happens in Ibiza and Marbella.... What Goes On Tour?"