Chris Caisley has revealed he played a major role in Theo Walcott's £12million move to Arsenal and backed the wonderkid to "terrorise" World Cup defenders this summer.

The former Bulls chairman also helped tie up Steve McClaren's bumper contract to become England's next manager and has recently been mingling with some major names.

Leeds-based law firm Walker Morris, in which Caisley is a partner, has been increasing its profile in the sporting world, especially branching out into football.

"We've done contractual work with Bradford City, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Hull City and Rotherham United and it is a massively growing part of our business," he said, before name-dropping their most high-profile client.

"Theo Walcott is someone we have worked with.

"We handled his contractual matters following his transfer from Southampton to Arsenal.

"We dealt with him in February and arranged the deal.

"I worked very closely with Theo and he's a smashing bloke. We work in conjunction with agents in providing their clients with expertise or directly on behalf of players dealing with the terms of their contracts.

"We first dealt with Theo around Christmas time."

Brokering multi-million pound deals in the glitzy world of football is all a far cry from his rugby league past but it doesn't stop with England's rookie gem.

Caisley was also employed by McClaren to steer him through the legalities and complexities of his switch from Middlesbrough to the national job.

"I went down to the FA with Steve when he signed up last week," he said.

"We dealt with his discussions with the FA, and in conjunction with Steve and his agent we got the deal turned around inside just 48 hours from the point of the offer coming in to Steve signing up in London.

"It was all achieved very quickly."

Other names on the firm's list of clients include Baildon-based England cricketing star Matthew Hoggard and Blackburn captain Andy Todd son of Bantams boss Colin.

But it is World Cup sensation Walcott who is the jewel in Caisley's crown.

Sven-Goran Eriksson shocked everyone by naming him in his squad for Germany on Monday, causing a media frenzy that has rippled right through the nation.

The red-hot striker is only just 17 years old, has not even played in the Premiership and is yet to make his Arsenal debut but is now on the verge of tackling the game's biggest names in Germany.

It is seen as a massive gamble by Eriksson but he is confident in the kid's talent and Caisley knowing the teenager personally is another huge fan.

"I've never met a young sports person with such a level head on their shoulders," he said.

"Theo was just 16 when he moved from Southampton and I couldn't help but be impressed by his attitude to the whole thing after what could be a £12million move.

"I hope Thierry Henry stays at Arsenal as the two of them together would be absolute dynamite but for England I think he'll be terrific.

"I reckon he'll frighten them to death at the World Cup. Theo's got that quality you need in most professional sports pace.

"His father is absolutely out of the top drawer and he has a great family.

"I think he'll handle everything terrifically well. He's mature well beyond his years and it's easy to see why when you meet his family."