A new league, a new country, a mountain of paperwork
When Christian Nørgaard arrived in the UK in 2019, he was at a pivotal moment in his career. The Danish international, who now has 39 caps for his country, had built a strong reputation playing in Italy, before joining Brentford FC with high expectations. He would go on to make 181 appearances for the Bees and proudly wear the captain’s armband, before his move to Arsenal cemented his status as a Premier League star.
But while Christian’s football spoke for itself, life off the pitch presented a different kind of challenge. Navigating UK tax regulations was completely unfamiliar territory, and the complexities were mounting. Agent fees paid directly by the club created intricate tax implications. His move coincided with Brexit, adding layers of uncertainty around residency and settlement rights – not just for him, but for his wife and three children, who have all been born in the UK following his move. While clubs typically handle player documentation, families are often left to navigate the system alone.
On top of this, Christian had business interests and financial commitments back in Denmark. With constantly evolving rules around how international income must be declared and when, the administrative burden can be a significant distraction when a player’s focus should be on the game.
“I didn’t have a clue about UK tax,” Christian admits. What he needed was someone who could take that worry away, so he could do what he does best: focus on football.
A trusted recommendation leads to the right partnership
Christian was referred to DJH’s Derby team through trusted sources – the club secretary and a fellow Danish player who had experienced the same challenges. That’s when he met Matt Wright, a specialist tax adviser in sports management with deep expertise in supporting overseas footballers playing in the UK.
From their first conversation, Matt understood what Christian needed: clarity, confidence, and complete peace of mind.
Matt started with the fundamentals – sorting out Christian’s tax return – but quickly recognised the bigger picture. This wasn’t just about ticking boxes; it was about building a comprehensive financial framework that would work for Christian’s entire family and career.
Working closely with Christian and his family, Matt:
- Untangled the tax complexities surrounding agent fees paid by the club, ensuring everything was properly structured and compliant
- Navigated the Brexit transition, securing EU settlement status for Christian’s wife, and latterly his three children, at a time when many families were falling through the cracks causing issues when travelling back to the UK
- Coordinated international finances, providing expert guidance on how Christian’s business interests in Denmark and abroad interacted with UK tax obligations, keeping pace with changing regulations
- Provided proactive, year-round support, anticipating issues before they became problems and ensuring Christian was never caught off guard
Most importantly, Matt became more than just an adviser. He became a trusted partner who truly understood the unique pressures of a professional footballer’s life.
Back to what matters: performing on the pitch
Today, Christian can focus entirely on his football, knowing that his financial affairs are in expert hands. The administrative burden has been lifted. His family is secure and settled. His tax obligations are managed seamlessly, with full confidence that everything is compliant and optimised.
“Matt is first class,” Christian says. “We have a fantastic relationship. He’s taken all that stress away from me and my family. I know if there’s ever an issue, he’s already on it before I even need to ask. That peace of mind is invaluable – it means I can just concentrate on playing football and being with my family.”
That relationship is built on trust, expertise, and a genuine commitment to putting Christian’s needs first. By taking away the complexity and uncertainty, Matt has enabled Christian to thrive both on and off the pitch.
