Footballers score International property deals

Heard enough about Dubai? So have our premier league football legends like Tim Sherwood. Like him, many are no longer lured by the 'Dallas in the desert' lifestyle, nor the massive construction sites which will transform this once quiet port into a one long traffic jam.

Not surprisingly many are also shunning huge swathes of the Spanish Costas. Instead, they are seeking a quiet slab of beachfront paradise which doubles up as an offshore tax haven. That's why retired football legend, Tim Sherwood has just invested in the Caribbean Turks and Caicos islands. And fellow players are following in his wake Footballers at the top of their game may reap huge rewards, and can retire in extreme comfort without worries.

However, things are changing dramatically in the business of football. Since the age of retirement has been stretched beyond the age of thirty five, they are suddenly under pressure to make earnings start performing early in their career - and for Tim, this meant buying overseas property.

While it's well known that our premier league footballers have been dabbling in property for some time, there's been something of a stampede to invest in overseas property. Younger players now it's their chance to create wealth before their last game.

Tim Sherwood is a prime example of the new breed of investor. Having retired from football at the age of 37, after playing for a host of premier league clubs such as Watford and Norwich, he began creating his hown property portfolio. He is now a serious property investor who believes that the Turks and Caicos offer the best return for his money. He is creating an overseas portfolio which is out of reach of the tax man.

‘It’s a short career, we get a pension while everyone else is at their peak earning potential, so we have to make our money work for us’ explains Tim, who lives in Hertfordshire with his family.

‘Over the last ten years, I have invested in UK property, built flats here as well as in southern Spain. But things have levelled off there, and there was a lull in the stock market, so we decided to try somewhere different’ he adds. I had visited the Caribbean islands, like Barbados, but had never thought to invest there. I find the rumours of crime offputting, although I am not sure if they are true or not.’

‘I heard of the Turks and Caicos islands but had never visited. It was my accountant who first suggested about investing in Caicos Beach Club, because he said it sounded like a great deal.'

‘So I hopped on a plane for an inspection visit with Bobby Brown from Grand Capital. Obviously, it’s not the same as popping down to Spain, the flight time is much longer, but you only go on a long haul once a year don’t you?’

‘Without a doubt, the location is paramount. It’s paradise. You can’t help but be sold. There’s no crime, so it’s safe for my family and the kids, without any worries on that score’.

However, it was the overall financial package which clinched the deal for Tim.

In November 2006, Tim purchased a two bedroom apartment, paying a deposit of £35,000, on a total cost of £170,000 when completed in 2008.

‘You are guaranteed a return on your investment, from when it’s built. Then you have the free two weeks to use as a holiday.’

‘I have added it to my growing portfolio and my accountant will take care of the rest’ says Tim.