Thanks for the comments guys. The highlights aren't an issue to me, I like the contrast between the light and dark, that's what this was about for me.
The crop is obviously subjective but I went for this one as it really focuses your view in on the player I think. Like its a bit more imposing. Just my personal view.
I know what you mean about the background, it was a shot done for a profile pic so it's going to be viewed pretty small, I thought it better not to clutter the space up too much. I did think about putting something into the background, I was playing around with a smoke effect, and thinking about dropping a football pitch kind of thing in. In the end I just left it bare but I'd be interested in what anyone else would put into the shot? I'll have a go if I like any suggestion.
Lighting set up for those interested...
2 lights from behind with tin hats on, high up and angled down to create the side highlights.
1 light from just in front of the guy, to the right angled almost straight down. Tin hat.
1 light fill from just next to camera, soft box.
I'm looking to do another one of these as I have another player interested, he's a goalkeeper so should be a good one. I did consider putting a light behind the model shooting straight back towards camera but I'm not sure if it would just confuse the shot more than anything?