England spent the most on transfer fees in 2014 - FIFA TMS Annual Report

FIFA TMS launched Global Transfer Market 2015

FIFA TMS today launched Global Transfer Market 2015 – the fourth annual report produced by the FIFA subsidiary, covering international transfers of professional players. The report shows that, in 2014, transfer activity rose by 2.9% to 13,090 transfers (up from 12,718) while the total amount of declared transfer fees rose by 2.1% to USD 4.06 billion (up from USD 3.98 billion). It marks the first time the total transfer compensation value has surpassed the USD 4 billion mark in a calendar year. \

Global Transfer Market 2015 provides football stakeholders with a comprehensive and transparent look at international transfer activity, helping to further develop their understanding of the market. For the first time, the report compares international transfers at a club-level, based on data provided by a select number of clubs, in addition to the patterns and trends of the market at country, regional and global level.

Another new feature is the inclusion of a breakdown of minor applications, which must be submitted in the international transfer matching system for all players whether male, female, amateur or professional. This section includes a list of the main countries engaging minors in 2014.

Highlights of the report include:

• In 2014, FIFA TMS handled 13,090 international transfers (increase of 2.9% on 2013) with a combined transfer compensation value of USD 4.06 billion (increase of 2.1%).
• Brazil was the most active country in the market, recording 646 incoming transfers and 689 outgoing transfers.
• England was the country that spent the most on transfer fees in 2014 (USD 1.17 billion) while Spain was the biggest receiver (USD 667 million).
• The average age of players transferred during the year was 25 years and 6 months.
• USD 236 million was paid in club intermediary commissions for international transfers throughout 2014 compared to USD 218 million in 2013 (increase of 8.2%)