September 3 – The volume of money flowing through the international transfer system for the mid-year window just closed may be $1 billion lower than 2023, but the actual numbers of transfers made are higher.
Taking into account the increased volume of transfers in the women’s game, the total number of transfers made is 12,125 in 2024 against 11,400 in 2023.
Spending on players in the women’s game is also up, reaching $6.8 million in 2024, more than double the $3.2 million figure of 2023.
Of course, this number looks tiny in in comparison to the $6.4 billion spent in the men’s game. While the figure for men’s transfers was off the record high of $7.43 billion in 2023, it was still almost 30% higher than the $4.9 billion spent on players in 2022.
The numbers were released by FIFA in its International Transfer Snapshot. The more than 10,900 international transfers in the men’s professional game is a record, being dealt with at the same time that FIFA has relocated its Legal & Compliance Division to its fast growing Miami offices. A number of the deals reported in the figures are still pending.
English clubs again registered the highest spending on transfer fees at $1.6 billion. Italian clubs were second highest at $852 million.
England also registered the highest number of incoming transfers at 535, followed by clubs from Brazil and Portugal.
FIFA Chief Legal & Compliance Officer Emilio García Silvero said: “We have just completed a very intense window which, among others, confirmed the steady development of transfers in women’s football. The current trends also highlight the importance of continuously enhancing the regulatory framework of the transfer system.”
Of the $6.8 million spent on international transfers, $2.33 million was spent by English clubs, followed by Spanish spending of $1.35 million and spending by US clubs if $1.14 million.
The highest volume of incoming international transfers was in the US with 128 transfers made, followed by Spain (84) and England (63). Both Spain and England registered 76 outgoing transfers, while the US showed 37.
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