Pedro Boyd (centre), regional director, Nike, affixes a cap to the head of Leon Butler (right), after signing the Jamaican youngster to a landmark deal during a press conference at the Spanish Court Hotel, New Kingston, yesterday. Looking on is Leon's father and coach, Craig Butler. Leon Butler became the first ever Jamaican footballer to earn an endorsement contract from Nike. - Ryon Jones

Sixteen-year-old Leon Butler yesterday became the first football player in Jamaica and the region to earn an endorsement contract from major sporting goods company, Nike.

Butler inked a three-year deal with Nike which will see him don their apparel both on and off the pitch. The deal comes on the heels of the player who came up through the Phoenix All Stars Football Academy ranks, signing to Dutch powerhouse Ajax.

"Nike has scouts all over the world and he (Leon) got into the Nike radar and then we did some investigations and started negotiations," Nike's regional director, Pedro Boyd, said during yesterday's press conference at The Spanish Court Hotel. "We were interested in Leon because we knew he was talented and we got good reviews on him from our secret scouts.

"He is getting a historical deal and we are expecting him to have fun, to play football and do what he likes. He is going to have the whole Nike lifestyle, all the clothing on the pitch and off the pitch as well."

Leon, who was born dyslexic, is pleased that he has overcome the varying challenges and has now earned such an endorsement.

"I feel excellent because we have been through a lot and it is a great accomplishment for me and the Phoenix members," Leon shared.

Kyle Butler, Leon's younger brother, is set to follow closely in his footsteps as negotiations are well advanced for him to join Ajax, while Nike is to commence talks for an endorsement deal with him.

"We are going to start negotiations with Kyle and, hopefully, we can also sign a deal," Boyd shared. "Just for this contract (Leon's), we negotiated over two months, so one step at a time."

Nike's partnership will extend beyond the two players, as they have also signed a three-year deal with the academy.

"We demonstrated interest in helping out the academy because I know from a personal point of view, Jamaica has the bio type and the athletes, so we are sure there should be more Leons and more Kyles here," Boyd shared. "The contract includes a lot of money for products and then the Phoenix organisation can ask for whatever they need for the academy: balls, soccer shoes, jerseys, etc."

Founder and president of Phoenix, Craig Butler, who is also the father of Leon and Kyle, was delighted.

"This is our first international sponsor and it was a big fight between Nike and Adidas to get this contract with the boys and with the academy," Butler revealed. "We chose Nike because of their commitment to our foundations, which is to Jamaican football.

ryon.jones@gleanerjm.com