Cristiano Ronaldo's parents originally lived on Madeira Island.
However, because Cristiano had only undergone heart surgery two months earlier, they had stayed in Lisbon to look after him and monitor his recovery.
Lynn's visit surprised Ronaldo's parents, but after hearing his self-introduction, they immediately took him seriously.
Lynn introduced them to the city of Swansea and Swansea City Football Club, then laid out his offer.
When Cristiano Ronaldo's mother saw the contract terms Lynn handed over, she could not help crying out in shock.
"One million pounds!"
As long as Cristiano Ronaldo joined Swansea's youth team, he would receive a £1 million signing-on fee.
The club would also provide a free apartment.
Then, after he turned sixteen next February and signed a professional contract with the club, he would receive another £2 million signing-on fee.
On top of that, the professional contract he would sign at sixteen was also extremely generous: an annual salary of £500,000.
Ronaldo's mother, Dolores, handed the contract to her husband.
He too was stunned by the terms Lynn had offered.
Lynn did not waste time trying to build unnecessary familiarity.
Before leaving, he said, "My sincerity toward Cristiano is all written in this contract. The club has already prepared everything for him. We will also hire private tutors for him, so that outside of football, he can continue learning cultural subjects.
If he comes to Swansea, he will be the most cared-for star player here. We have very high expectations for him — higher than yours."
After saying that, Lynn formally said goodbye, leaving them some time to think and make a decision.
...
Staying in a hotel in Lisbon, Lynn thought about the transfer operation.
He also knew where Messi was: Barcelona's La Masia.
But Messi was too young and there were too many variables.
On top of that, he did not have an EU passport. Compared with him, Cristiano Ronaldo was far more secure.
If he signed Ronaldo now, all he needed to do was pay Sporting CP a certain amount of compensation.
Then, seven months later, once Ronaldo turned sixteen, he could sign a professional contract with him.
With all these factors combined, Lynn was determined to get Cristiano Ronaldo.
...
The next day.
After morning training, Cristiano Ronaldo returned home.
His mother had prepared lunch, including his favourite dishes, which made him very happy.
After lunch, Ronaldo's father spoke to him about Swansea City's desire to sign him.
Cristiano Ronaldo was also deeply shaken by Lynn's offer.
He came from an extremely poor family.
His father was an alcoholic, and his mother had endured great hardship raising four children.
He also had two older sisters and one older brother.
This family needed money to change its fate.
All their hopes rested on Cristiano Ronaldo. And now, it seemed that he could become the hero of the family.
If he left Lisbon for Swansea, there would immediately be £1 million.
Next February, another £2 million would arrive.
Ronaldo's parents left the decision to Cristiano himself.
With his mind full of thoughts, Cristiano left home.
On the way to the academy, he kept thinking about the transfer.
After carefully considering his family's situation, he realized that he could rely on himself to change his family's destiny.
When he stepped into the academy, his eyes had become especially firm and bright.
After afternoon training ended, Cristiano Ronaldo returned home again.
Lynn was already sitting in the cramped living room of his house.
Seeing the thin Cristiano Ronaldo, Lynn stood up, walked over to him, and solemnly asked.
"Cristiano, have you decided?"
Cristiano Ronaldo asked, "You're the owner of Swansea City?"
Lynn nodded. "Yes. I don't want to say too many warm and comforting words. At your age, you should already understand how cold and warm human relationships can be."
"I'm giving you what you need most. That is the greatest help I can offer you. It is also the most realistic, most direct way of treating you well and thinking for your sake."
"Come to Swansea and play football properly. You will become a superstar on the pitch!"
Cristiano Ronaldo looked up at Lynn.
Lynn's solemn expression carried a powerful sense of conviction.
Cristiano nod.
A surge of pride rose in Lynn's heart.
He had gained another superstar of tomorrow!
The Swans only needed to wait until their wings were fully grown.
Then they would soar into the sky!
...
July 18.
Wearing sportswear, Lynn stood on the club's training ground.
Looking at the wide-open view after the expansion, and the lush green pitches after the renovation, even his mood became especially good.
Assistant manager Emlyn Hughes had both hands tucked into the top of his tracksuit.
The sea breeze blowing in from Swansea Bay today was a little cold, and the windbreak trees planted beside the training ground could not stop the drop in temperature.
"Boss, many of the players you bought have pretty good technical ability. The most surprising one is that Swedish lad. He's nearly two metres tall, yet his footwork is so delicate. It's simply unbelievable."
After hearing this, Lynn smiled. "There are plenty more unbelievable things to come."
Fitness coach Shackleton said excitedly, "Most of the new players have excellent physical qualities. They're more than enough to handle Third Division opponents!"
"Third Division? If they develop properly, they'll have no problem playing in the Premier League!"
Lynn said this with confidence.
The coaching staff began discussing the new players one after another, and the more they spoke, the more excited they became.
It was obvious that everyone was thrilled.
Swansea truly had a brand-new team.
Finally, Hughes asked in a low voice, "Boss, this batch of players must have cost quite a lot, right?"
Lynn did not hide it.
He said frankly, "Including signing fees and annual wages, this season's total player cost is roughly around £18 million. It won't be lower than that."
Hughes was immediately shocked.
The other coaches were also dumbfounded.
Including the other investments, Lynn had poured more than £60 million into the team.
How could this be the investment level of a Third Division club?
Suddenly, the entire coaching staff fell silent. Their mood, instead, became heavy.
Lynn's investment represented his expectations and ambition for Swansea.
If the investment failed, even thinking with one's backside would be enough to know that a loss of more than £60 million would be astronomical.
So Hughes said with a grave expression, "Boss, we must build this team into the best team in the Third Division! Next year, we'll play in the Second Division!"
"That's right! We have to produce results!"
"We'll show those who look down on us!"
"They don't understand what the boss has put into this club at all. We'll use our actions to hit back at every enemy!"
The coaching staff members expressed their determination one after another.
The owner had given them high wages and invested heavily in the club.
If they could not repay his efforts through action, if they could not make sure the blood and sweat he poured into the club brought returns, then they would truly have no face left.
Lynn waved his hand and said, "All right, I understand everyone's feelings. From now on, let's put all our energy into work.
"Let's set the target right now.
"Next year, we play in the Second Division."
"The year after that, the First Division."
"And three years from now, we charge into the Premier League!"
"Good! Three years from now, we charge into the Premier League!"
Every member of Swansea's coaching staff felt their blood boiling.
It seemed that money was still the most realistic thing.
With financial investment as their backing, everyone became full of ambition.
...
The players arrived one after another.
Over the past period of time, they had begun to get to know each other.
They certainly were not close yet, but the foreign players needed to settle in and adapt here, so naturally they took the initiative to make friends.
As for the local Swansea players, led by Cromwell, they also helped them warmly.
It had to be said that Cromwell's personality was excellent. He was enthusiastic, generous, positive, and sunny.
He had earned the approval of many teammates.
This had nothing to do with his football ability.
It was about character.
Once all the players had gathered and lined up in three rows, James Cook, standing on the left side of the first row, curiously sized up the expressionless Cristiano Ronaldo beside him.
The fifteen-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo had also appeared on the first-team training ground.
This was something Lynn had arranged deliberately.
He needed Cristiano Ronaldo to keep up with the rhythm of the first team.
Besides, in lower-league football, there were plenty of players who made competitive appearances at a very young age.
Many clubs' youngest appearance records were around seventeen, and there were even some at sixteen.
Moreover, at Swansea, only the first team currently guaranteed proper training quality.
Putting Cristiano Ronaldo in the reserves or youth team would only delay his development.
Lynn called up a backup goalkeeper from the reserve team: Lee Morgan.
With him included, the first team had officially taken shape.
Lynn stood in front of the group, facing the players, and loudly said, "No matter where you came from, no matter which club you played for in the past, no matter whether you are satisfied or dissatisfied with Swansea, from this moment on, you are all Swansea players!"
"You are warriors of the Swans!"
"I am your manager. If you have any problems, you can come directly to me."
"The team rules have already been posted on the dressing-room wall. Please read them carefully and remember them."
"We are not here for entertainment. We are here to overturn English football!"
"Some of you may know this, and some of you may not, but I hate the arrogance and conceit of English football. Just as I have been humiliated by Fleet Street and by many clubs, from the day I became the owner of this club, I swore in my heart:
My team will open its jaws wide, swallow every club in England whole, and then crap them back out!"
The players all widened their eyes in shock.
What was going on?
Was football not supposed to be about dreams?
Was it not supposed to be about glory?
How had it turned into a personal grudge in Lynn's mouth?
Even so, Lynn's words still made the players feel a surge of excitement.
Lynn continued,
"The club has two laws : First, I am the boss. Everything is done my way!"
"Second, when you disagree, refer to the first law."
"All right. In twenty days, we begin our Third Division campaign. Right now, I need all of you to throw yourselves completely into preparation!"
"Gentlemen, let's work hard together!"
After saying that, Lynn took the captain's armband from his pocket and walked up to Oliver Cromwell.
He announced loudly, "From today onward, Oliver Cromwell is the team captain."
"Zlatan Ibrahimović is the vice-captain."
"Manuel Friedrich is the third captain."
"I hope you do not betray my trust. You must take the lead in uniting the team and shoulder the responsibility the team has given you!"
The moment Lynn handed the captain's armband to Oliver Cromwell, Cromwell's mouth fell slightly open.