Clubs spent record $9.63bn on international transfers in 2023 — Fifa
Outlays on players have increased since dropping in 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic
30 January 2024 - 17:37
byRohith Nair
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Dynamos were leading 2-0 at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo when Highlanders fans objected to the refereeing, chanting 'Zanu-PF rigged'. Picture: 123RF / SOMKKU9KANOKWAN
Doha — Clubs worldwide spent a record $9.63bn on international transfers in 2023, an increase of nearly 50% compared to 2022, world football’s governing body Fifa said in its Global Transfer Report published on Tuesday.
After transfer spending fell in 2020 and 2021 due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, outlays on players have only increased, with 2023’s total spend an increase of 48.1% compared on 2022.
The figure smashed the previous record set in 2019 by more than $2bn. English clubs spent the most with a new high of $2.96bn while four countries’ associations received more than $1bn in transfer fees in 2023.
England was followed by Saudi Arabian clubs who tried to draw some of the best players from European sides to the Saudi Pro League in 2023 after the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, upon which several players moved to the Middle East.
“Clubs from Saudi Arabia featured among the top five spenders for the first time with a total outlay of $970m in 2023, compared to $50.4m in 2022,” Fifa said.
“Clubs from Germany were the number one recipients of transfer fees with a total of almost $1.21bn, the first-ever time that clubs from any one association have received more than $1bn in transfer fees in a calendar year.
“That being said, three more associations also joined Germany in this exclusive group in 2023: France [$1.19bn], England [$1.04bn] and Italy [$1.02bn).”
The top men’s transfers include Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, Enzo Fernandez from Benfica to Chelsea and Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich.
“The top 10 player transfers alone generated more than 10% of the entire amount spent on transfer fees in 2023,” Fifa added.
Women’s football had 20% more international transfers in 2023 compared to 2022, with the number of clubs involved rising from 507 in 2022 to 623 in 2023.
Fifa said a record 131 associations were involved in 1,888 women’s transfers, with the annual outlay hitting $6.1m — also a record and an 84.2% increase from 2022.
The biggest international transfers in women’s football included Jill Roord from VfL Wolfsburg to Manchester City, Kyra Cooney-Cross from Hammarby to Arsenal and Lindsey Horan from Portland Thorns to Olympique Lyonnais.
However, 84.7% of the transfers were for out-of-contract women’s players.
Fifa also said more than 50,000 amateur players moved across borders to join a club in a new association, with 91.7% of those being male players.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Clubs spent record $9.63bn on international transfers in 2023 — Fifa
Outlays on players have increased since dropping in 2020-21 due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Doha — Clubs worldwide spent a record $9.63bn on international transfers in 2023, an increase of nearly 50% compared to 2022, world football’s governing body Fifa said in its Global Transfer Report published on Tuesday.
After transfer spending fell in 2020 and 2021 due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, outlays on players have only increased, with 2023’s total spend an increase of 48.1% compared on 2022.
The figure smashed the previous record set in 2019 by more than $2bn. English clubs spent the most with a new high of $2.96bn while four countries’ associations received more than $1bn in transfer fees in 2023.
England was followed by Saudi Arabian clubs who tried to draw some of the best players from European sides to the Saudi Pro League in 2023 after the marquee signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, upon which several players moved to the Middle East.
“Clubs from Saudi Arabia featured among the top five spenders for the first time with a total outlay of $970m in 2023, compared to $50.4m in 2022,” Fifa said.
“Clubs from Germany were the number one recipients of transfer fees with a total of almost $1.21bn, the first-ever time that clubs from any one association have received more than $1bn in transfer fees in a calendar year.
“That being said, three more associations also joined Germany in this exclusive group in 2023: France [$1.19bn], England [$1.04bn] and Italy [$1.02bn).”
The top men’s transfers include Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid, Enzo Fernandez from Benfica to Chelsea and Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich.
“The top 10 player transfers alone generated more than 10% of the entire amount spent on transfer fees in 2023,” Fifa added.
Women’s football had 20% more international transfers in 2023 compared to 2022, with the number of clubs involved rising from 507 in 2022 to 623 in 2023.
Fifa said a record 131 associations were involved in 1,888 women’s transfers, with the annual outlay hitting $6.1m — also a record and an 84.2% increase from 2022.
The biggest international transfers in women’s football included Jill Roord from VfL Wolfsburg to Manchester City, Kyra Cooney-Cross from Hammarby to Arsenal and Lindsey Horan from Portland Thorns to Olympique Lyonnais.
However, 84.7% of the transfers were for out-of-contract women’s players.
Fifa also said more than 50,000 amateur players moved across borders to join a club in a new association, with 91.7% of those being male players.
Reuters
Mnguni convinced Lorch is perfect fit for Downs
Holders Senegal exit Cup of Nations with heads held high
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.