The Lost Boys

This book reveals the shocking realities of human trafficking in football, exposing the exploitation of vulnerable young boys pursuing their dreams.

In The Lost Boys, the author unveils the dark underbelly of football's human-trafficking scandal, focusing on the harrowing journeys of young boys from South America and Africa. Many of these children, some as young as 13, leave their impoverished families with dreams of a better life in Europe, lured by the false promise of professional football and wealth. This narrative reveals the grim reality of what it means to be caught in football's slave trade, where the beautiful game becomes a source of exploitation and despair.

Talent scouts identify these hopefuls, convincing them they could become 'the next big thing'. However, once they invest their families' life savings into dubious academies, they quickly learn that these institutions often do not exist or provide little to no real opportunity. A minuscule fraction of these aspiring athletes are selected for training, while the majority face abandonment in a foreign land. Without resources to return home and the emotional burden of disappointing their families, many of these children find themselves trapped, with crime as their only means of survival.

Through extensive research and unique access to charitable organizations working to rescue these children, Ed Hawkins sheds light on a pressing issue that threatens the integrity of the sport. The Lost Boys is a poignant and compelling exposé that not only highlights the extent of the abuse but also aims to inspire change in a system that desperately needs it.