13

Global Transfer Market

2013
 3

Introduction

Welcome to Global Transfer Market 2013, the second edition of the FIFA
Transfer Matching System GmbH (FIFA TMS) annual review of the
international transfer market.

We are extremely pleased to be able to present, for the second consecutive

year, data and analysis covering the international transfers of professional
football players. This report is unique as it provides a global view of player
transfers covering six regions, over 200 countries and 5,600 professional
clubs around the world.

The 2013 edition provides a compelling insight into the market with a view of
transfer streams between countries as well as statistics on player positions
and salaries for the most active countries. It also provides case studies
offering additional insights into the international transfer environment. For
the first time, we have also been in a position to measure trends in the
market based on 2011 transfer data.

Given the reach of this report, we have included a glossary and assumptions
section explaining the key terms and calculations used, and a full section with
country-level transfer data.

The FIFA TMS vision is to foster and sustain a transparent global transfer
market based on integrity, accountability and innovation. The full participation
of all member associations and professional clubs in the FIFA Transfer
Matching System greatly contributes to this vision and we would like to thank
them for their continued support.

I hope you enjoy this edition of Global Transfer Market 2013. If you have any
feedback or suggestions, please visit our w ebsite at [Link].

Mark Goddard
General Manager
FIFA Transfer Matching System GmbH
4

Table of
contents

6 Highlights of the 2012 key indicators

12 Executive summary
14 The nature of international transfers

19 1.0 Market activity and mobility patterns

20 1.1 Overall market activity
24 1.2 Timing of transfers
28 1.3 Most active countries
32 1.4 Transfer streams
46 1.5 Case study: Booming Brazil

51 2.0 Player characteristics

52 2.1 Player age
58 2.2 Player nationality
62 2.3 Player positions
66 2.4 Case study: Youth excellence

69 3.0 Contracts
70 3.1 Transfer types
74 3.2 Transfer types by transfer stream
78 3.3 Player contract lengths
82 3.4 Case study: A unique relationship

85 4.0 Club-to-club transfer compensation

87 4.1 Overall spend and distribution into types of compensation
96 4.2 Spenders and recipients
104 4.3 Payment streams
112 4.4 Spend by remaining contract length and open registration periods
116 4.5 Case study: Euro millions
 5

119 5.0 Salaries

120 5.1 Average salaries – overview
122 5.2 Salaries by category
126 5.3 Case study: Money matters

129 6.0 Intermediaries

130 6.1 Overall activity
134 6.2 Club intermediary commissions and rates
140 6.3 Top spenders on club intermediary commissions
144 6.4 Case study: Boom time

148 About FIFA TMS

150 List of figures per chapter
153 References to FIFA documents

155 A Appendix
156 A1 Glossary and assumptions
167 A2 Global transfer market calendar
181 A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
195 A4 Player characteristics
209 A5 Contracts
223 A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation
249 A7 Intermediaries
Market activity and mobility patterns
6

11,552
Number of international transfers completed in 2012

145
+1%
Number of transfers from Portugal to Brazil, the most active
transfer stream between countries

Percentage change in the number of completed transfers

compared to 2011

5 minutes
Average number of minutes between each transfer on the two busiest days (31 January and 31 August)
Highlights of the 2012 key indicators

Player characteristics

24
7

The most represented nationality in the transfer market

years
Ireland to and
10 months
England Average age of players transferred internationally

Transfer stream between countries involving players with the

youngest average age

UAE to Brazil
Transfer stream between countries involving players with the oldest average age
 1
Contracts

70%
8

Percentage of international transfers involving

‘out of contract’ players

14% year
and
Percentage of transfers involving club-to-club compensation

Average loan contract length

4 months
Average contract length for a player who was
previously ‘out of contract’
Highlights of the 2012 key indicators

Club-to-club compensation

-10%
9

USD
Percentage change in total club-to-club
compensation versus 2011

2.53 billion
Total value of international transfer-related
club-to-club compensation

82%
Proportion of the total market spend in fixed transfer
compensation that is covered by the top ten spending countries
Salaries
10

Midfielder
Highest-paid position for players moving into one of the
international transfer market’s six most active countries

Forward
Lowest-paid position for players moving into one of the
international transfer market’s six most active countries

USD 720,000
Average fixed annual salary of players moving into Italy,
the highest average salary of the world’s six most active countries
Highlights of the 2012 key indicators

Intermediaries
11

USD
59
million
+28%
Total club intermediary compensation paid by English clubs on
international transfers, the highest worldwide

Percentage change in total compensation paid to club

intermediaries involved in international transfers versus 2011

Percentage change in club intermediaries’ involvement in

international transfers
12

Executive
summary

During 2012, professional football clubs conducted Shift in timing of transfers

a total of 11,552 international transfers, a 1% Most of the international transfer activity (64%) took
increase (71 transfers) on 2011. In terms of overall place in January, July and August. These are the months
activity, the international transfer market seems in which the most active associations have open
relatively stable. However, this report further registration periods. July was the busiest month in 2012,
identifies dynamic patterns and trends by focusing compared to August the previous year. Conducting
on different key indicators within the market. international transfers earlier suggests that clubs were
planning better and aiming to reduce the pressure of
Patterns in transfer streams transfer deadlines.
between countries
Three patterns were evident in the transfer market at Transfers of young and old players
country level and explained the majority of the market’s In 2012, African countries reported the lowest average
transfer streams between countries: age of outgoing players worldwide. Players moving from
(1) transfers conducted between neighbouring countries Africa into European countries were the youngest, at an
(2) transfers between countries with the same language average age of 21 years and 4 months. In general, players
(3) transfers involving migration patterns at the level of moving into Europe were younger than those moving
a country’s non-football-related population into other world regions. Focusing on player movements
of single countries, players moving into England were the
The most active ‘country-to-country’ transfer stream was youngest, with an average age of 22 years and 5 months.
from Portugal to Brazil (145 transfers). The second most Egypt was the country with the biggest difference
active streams were between Scotland and England between young incoming players and older outgoing
(Scotland to England: 92 transfers, England to Scotland: players.
92 transfers). Other high-ranking streams included
Germany to Turkey (50 transfers), and Brazil to Japan
(41 transfers).
 13

Most sought-after nationalities Concentrated spenders’ market

Brazilians were by far the most represented nationality Europe’s leading role was apparent from an analysis of
in the international transfer market, followed by club-to-club fixed transfer compensation. The total of
Argentinians. Brazilian players were involved in 13% fixed transfer compensation on international transfers
(1,463 transfers) of all international transfers in 2012. by European clubs was USD 1.9 billion, accounting for
They were also the most represented players on global 86% of the total global fixed transfer compensation
career paths, i.e. involved in transfers between countries outlay. 82% of European international transfer-related
not involving their home country. They were also top spend remained within the region. Continuing the
ranked in transfers back to their home country. market’s overall trend of reduction in spend, European
clubs, as the market’s biggest spenders, reduced their
Decrease in club-to-club compensation spend by 13% versus 2011.
14% (1,584 transfers) of all international transfers
reported during 2012 involved club-to-club Intermediaries’ growing stake
compensation. Total club-to-club compensation in 2012 in the market
was USD 2.53 billion, a decrease of 10% (USD 290 Player intermediaries were involved in 15% (1,730
million) compared to 2011 . England’s clubs were the
1
transfers) of all international transfers, an increase of
world’s biggest spenders in terms of fixed transfer 9% (146 transfers) on 2011. Club intermediaries (either
compensation, with USD 517 million, followed by Russia representing the engaging club or the releasing club)
(USD 288 million) and France (USD 205 million). were involved in 6% (706 transfers) of international
Brazilian clubs generated the highest net receipts from transfers, an increase of 19% (113 transfers) compared
their international transfer activities2. to 2011. Despite the transfer market’s drop in spending
of fixed transfer compensation, the market for
intermediaries showed significant growth in 2012: clubs
paid a total of USD 163 million to club intermediaries, an
increase of 28% (USD 36 million) compared to 2011.

1 Global Transfer Market 2011 reported an inflated view of club-to-club transfer

compensation based on data incorrectly entered by clubs in TMS. This has now been
corrected and Global Transfer Market 2013 presents the new and adjusted numbers.
2 Net receipts and net spend are calculated as the total of a country’s receipts of fixed
transfer compensation minus the total of that country’s spend on fixed transfer
compensation. For net recipients, total receipts exceed total spend, and for net
spenders, total spend exceeds total receipts.
14

The nature of
international transfers

This chapter provides an introduction for the benefit of FIFA’s regulations stipulate that international transfers
readers new to this report or for those wishing to learn are only permitted if the player is over the age of 186.
more about the key processes involved in international Exceptions to this rule exist to allow a certain appropriate
player transfers. flexibility in specific situations, however. Therefore, this
report focuses on the international movement of
The transfer matching service provided by FIFA TMS professional players aged 18 or older.
involves the following stakeholders:
It is worth repeating that an international player transfer
the player represents the movement of a player between two clubs
the releasing club in two different countries. So, from an association or
the releasing club’s association country perspective, transfer activity can be separated
the engaging club into incoming transfers (players joining a country’s
the engaging club’s association clubs) and outgoing transfers (players leaving a country’s
and FIFA TMS clubs). Together, these add up to a country’s overall
transfer market involvement7. Along the same lines,
FIFA TMS is responsible for providing an electronic transfer activity can be aggregated at a confederation or
platform and processes which support the provision of regional level8.
an International Transfer Certificate (ITC)3.
This report examines the patterns and trends that have
Within the scope of this report, an international player developed in the international transfer market over the
transfer refers to the movement of a professional player’s year 2012 from a global-, regional- and country-level
registration from one association to another, perspective.
accompanying a change of a player’s club affiliation4.
Players can only be registered with a new association
during one of two annual registration periods5. There are 3 FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012,
Annexe 3: A professional is not eligible to play in official matches for his new club until
exceptions to this rule. For example, a professional player
an ITC has been issued by the former association and received by the new association,
can move outside a registration period if his contract or the new association has registered the professional with the new club on a provisional
basis.
with his former club has expired prior to the end of that 4 Throughout this report, the term ‘transfer’ covers international transfers where players
registration period. move across country borders, but excludes domestic transfers within country borders.
5 FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012,
art. 6. See ‘Appendix A1: Glossary and assumptions’ for details.
6 FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012,
art. 19. See ‘Appendix A1: Glossary and assumptions’ for details.
7 Throughout this report, the terms ‘association’ and ‘country’ are used interchangeably
to denote the national football associations that represent FIFA in their countries.
8 Throughout this report, the terms ‘confederation’ and ‘region’ are used
interchangeably to denote confederations as the umbrella organisations of the national
football associations on each continent.
 1
19

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Market activity and
mobility patterns

3 Contracts
Overall market activity 1.1

2 Player characteristics
Timing of transfers 1.2

Most active countries 1.3

Transfer streams 1.4

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Case study: Booming Brazil 1.5

The following sections analyse the overall transfer market

activity in terms of the number of transfers conducted in
2012. They explore the timing of transfers and identify
the market’s most active participants. This chapter applies
a global perspective before focusing on activity and
mobility patterns at regional and country levels.
20 1.1
Overall market
activity

 012 saw a 1% increase

2 During 2012, professional football clubs conducted
a total of 11,552 international transfers, a 1%

in international transfers increase (71 transfers) compared to 2011.

From a global perspective, there was little growth in the

compared to 2011. 2012 international transfer market. The growth was

mainly down to European clubs – the market’s most

European clubs were the dominating actors involved in 6,387 incoming and 6,543
outgoing player movements across country borders. The

most active participants European countries’ transfer market involvement in

terms of the total of incoming and outgoing player

in the market. movements grew by 1% (166 transfers).

The market activity of North American, African, and

South American countries revealed a more dynamic
picture, with clear changes compared to 2011:

North America: countries reported increased market

involvement by 6% (88 transfers). Incoming transfer
activity increased by 11% (80 transfers).

Africa: incoming transfers were up by 12% (79 transfers)

while outgoing transfers increased by 3% (35 transfers).
African countries still reported more outgoing (1,133
transfers) than incoming player movements (761
transfers).

South America: the second most active region behind

Europe, South American countries reduced their
involvement in the market by 4% (178 transfers). This
was driven by 4% (78 transfers) fewer incoming and 5%
(100 transfers) fewer outgoing transfers.
Figure 1: Overall market activity 21

6 Intermaediaries
5 Salaries
Europe

4 Club-to-club transfer compensation

6,387 incoming transfers

6,543 outgoing transfers

North America
Asia
804
1,608
incoming transfers

666 outgoing transfers Africa

incoming transfers

761 incoming transfers

1,180 outgoing transfers

1,133 outgoing transfers

3 Contracts
South America
1,992 incoming transfers
Oceania
2,014 outgoing transfers
0

2 Player characteristics
incoming transfers

16 outgoing transfers

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Total number of transfers globally

Figure 1 (see also the following page) illustrates the

+1% 11,552 total number of international transfers conducted

from a global perspective. It also displays key figures
on incoming and outgoing transfers of countries
grouped by region. Transfer market involvement is
+71
calculated as the total of incoming and outgoing
transfers by country. Fluctuations in figures for 2012
compared to 2011 are indicated in absolute and
percentage numbers.

11,481
transfers

transfers

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20
11 12
22 Asia transfer activity

Involvement Incoming Outgoing

2,836
-2% - 48
1,679
-4% -71 + 23 +2% 1,180

2,788 1,608 1,157

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers
20 20 20 20 20 20
11 12 11 12 11 12

Africa transfer activity

Involvement Incoming Outgoing

+ 114 +6% 1,894

+ 79 +12% 761
+ 35 +3% 1,133

1,780 682 1,098

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

20 20 20 20 20 20 transfers
11 12 11 12 11 12

North America transfer activity

Involvement Incoming Outgoing

+ 88 +6% 1,470
+ 80 +11% 804
+8 +1% 666

1,382 724 658

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

20 20 20 20 20 20
11 12 11 12 11 12
South America transfer activity 23

6 Intermediaries
Involvement Incoming Outgoing

4,184
-4% - 178
2,070
-4% -78
2,114
-5% -100

5 Salaries
4,006 1,992 2,014

4 Club-to-club transfer compensation

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers
20 20 20 20 20 20
11 12 11 12 11 12

Oceania transfer activity

3 Contracts
Involvement Incoming Outgoing

2 Player characteristics
0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
16 16 0 0 16 16

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

20 20 20 20 20 20
11 12 11 12 11 12

Europe transfer activity

Involvement Incoming Outgoing

+ 166 +1% 12,930

+ 61 +1% 6,387
+ 105 +2% 6,543

12,764 6,326 6,438

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

20 20 20 20 20 20
11 12 11 12 11 12

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

24 1.2
Timing of
transfers

64% of transfer activity Most of the transfer activity took place in January,
July and August. Together, these months accounted

took place in January, for 64% (7,391 transfers) of 2012’s overall market
activity. 31 January and 31 August were the busiest

July and August. days of the year, with an international transfer

conducted every five minutes during those 48 hours.

July was the busiest As highlighted in Figure 3, the peaks of transfer market
activity in January, July and August correspond with the

month for transfers. number of countries with an open registration period

during these months9.

In 2011, clubs were more active in August; while in

2012, July was busier.
This change suggests that clubs were aiming to reduce
the pressure of upcoming transfer deadlines by
conducting international transfers earlier.

Figure 2: Timing of transfers

83 81
75 2,565 2,504
2,322

Transfers per day (average)

31 January 300 transfers

31 August 266 transfers

47 Transfers per month

1,354

25 25
780 754
18
530 Figure 2 illustrates the number of transfers conducted
8 8
3 4 per month and highlights the two most active days in
230 240 2
92 109 72 the 2012 transfer year. The figure also shows the daily
average of conducted transfers for each month.
Jan Fe Ma Ap Ma Ju Ju Au Se Oc No De
ua br rch ril y ne ly gu pt to ve c
ry ua
ry st em be
r mb emb
be er er
r

9 See also ‘Appendix A2: Global transfer market calendar’ for details on countries’
registration periods.
 25

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 3: Number of countries with open and closed registration periods per month

190 191
182 183
169
155
139 143
136
130
122
111

3 Contracts
98
87
79
70 73
66
54
40
27

2 Player characteristics
26
19 18

Jan Fe Ma Ap Ma Ju Ju Au Se Oc No De
ua br rch ril y ne ly gu pt to ve ce
ry ua st em be mb mb
ry be r er er
r

Countries with closed registration periods

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Figure 3 illustrates the number of countries with open
Countries with open registration periods and closed registration periods per month of the 2012
calendar year. The figure considers a country as having
an open registration period if a registration period was
open on one day in a given month.

Figure 4: Change in timing of transfers

Biggest increase:
+ 220 transfers | 2,565 2,579 2,504
2,322 2,345
2,218 Figure 4 compares the monthly transfer activity in 2012
and 2011 in terms of the total number of transfers
conducted. The months with the biggest change are
highlighted.
1,457
1,354
2011

857 2012
780 754
576 530 627

282 230 Biggest drop:

203 240 176
82 92 79 109 72 | -104 transfers

Jan Fe Ma Ap Ma Ju Ju Au Se Oc No De
ua br rch ril y ne ly gu pt to ve ce
ry ua st em be mb mb
ry be r er er
r

Source for figures 2 – 4: FIFA TMS, 2012

26

84% (1,975 out of 2,343 transfers) of incoming

transfers in the market’s six most active countries
(Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy and
Portugal) were conducted during an open registration
period.
These numbers further underline the seasonal
concentration of transfer activity.

Figure 5: Transfers during open registration periods

Totals
Total 2,343
696
169 368

Total
84%
501
1,975
76%
91
527

Total Total
Total 82% Total
287 Incoming transfers outside
410 307 263
289 3 registration periods
29 55 21
99% Incoming transfers during
90% 82% 92% 284
260 252 registration periods
242

Ar Br En Ge Ita Po
ge az gla rm ly rtu
nt il nd an ga
ina y l

Figure 5 divides the total of incoming transfers into the

market’s six most active countries into those conducted
during open registration periods and those conducted
outside open registration periods. Percentages indicate
the proportion of total incoming transfers that were
conducted during an open registration period. As a
general rule, players can only be transferred into a new
association during an open registration period. There
are exceptions to this rule. For example, a professional
player can move outside a registration period if his
contract with his former club has expired prior to the
end of that registration period, i.e. a player is ‘out of
contract’. (See: FIFA, Regulations on the Status and
Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012, art. 6)
 27

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Focusing on transfers during the final weeks of registration
periods, Figure 6 highlights an activity spike at the end of
the registration periods. Accordingly, transfer activity was
higher in the final week than in the previous weeks.

3 Contracts
Figure 6: Transfers during final weeks of open between-season

2 Player characteristics
and within-season registration periods

Between-season registration period Within-season registration period

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

159 202

133 133
123
115

98
84
94
70 83
67

8 th 7 th 6 th 5 th 4 th 3 rd 2 nd fin 4 th 3 rd 2 nd fin
las las las las las las l a las las l a
t w ast w l we t w ast w l we
Source for figures 5 – 6: FIFA TMS, 2012
tw tw tw tw tw tw
ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ek ee ee ee ek
k k k k k k k k k k

Figure 6 shows the number of transfers conducted during the final weeks of open
between-season and within-season registration periods in Argentina, Brazil, England,
Germany, Italy and Portugal. Per association, there can only be two registration periods
per season. The first period shall begin after the completion of the season and shall
normally end before the new season starts. This registration period, here labelled
‘between-season registration period’, is in most parts of the world referred to as
‘summer transfer window’. The second period shall normally occur in the middle of the
season. This second registration period, here labelled ‘within-season registration
period’, is in most parts of the world referred to as ‘winter transfer window’.
(See also: FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September
2012, art. 6)
28 1.3
Most active
countries

Brazilian clubs were Figure 7 shows that some non-European and non-
South American countries had high increases in

involved in 11% of all incoming or outgoing transfers compared to 2011.

With equal numbers to English clubs, Tunisian clubs

international transfers. showed the highest increase in incoming transfers.

Nigerian clubs ranked second in terms of increased
transfer activity from an outgoing perspective.
The global transfer market was dominated by clubs The top three countries with the highest increase in
from a group of highly active countries. incoming transfers by percentage, taking numbers

The ten most active countries for player incomings relative to 2011, and excluding cases with zero transfers,
accounted for 28% (3,251 transfers) of the overall were:
market activity. The top five accounted for 18% Iraq (+342%, +41 transfers),
(2,080 transfers). Côte d’Ivoire (+322%, +29 transfers), and
The top ten countries for outgoing transfers
 Liberia (+300%, +3 transfers).
accounted for 34% (3,870 transfers). The top five
accounted for 20% (2,363 transfers). The top three countries with the highest percentage
increase in outgoing transfers were:
Most of the countries with high numbers of incoming Gabon (+75%, +12 transfers),
transfers were also amongst the ones with high numbers Hong Kong (+72%, +18 transfers), and
of outgoing transfers, with Brazil the most active country Malaysia (+69%, +11 transfers).
in both rankings. Brazilian clubs were involved in 11%
(1,314 transfers) of all international transfers, as either In Asia, China PR was the most active country in terms of
the engaging or releasing party. England (8%, or 978 incoming player transfers (154 transfers). Korea
transfers) and Argentina (6%, or 725 transfers) were Republic was most active for outgoing transfers (114
just behind. transfers), while Iraq and Thailand reported the highest
increases in incoming and outgoing player movements
Clubs from 67% (140) of FIFA’s member associations respectively.
conducted at least one incoming transfer. Clubs from
79% (165) of member associations were involved in at
least one transfer as the releasing side.

69 associations did not report a single incoming
international transfer.

44 associations did not report a single outgoing
movement of a professional player.

43 associations reported neither incoming nor
outgoing player movements.
Figure 7: Most active countries England
29
Germany

6 Intermediaries
Hungary

Spain

Tunisia

5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Europe Russia

North America
Asia

Nigeria

Africa

3 Contracts
Brazil

South America
Oceania

2 Player characteristics
Argentina

Countries within the top-3 in

the respective category

Countries with most Countries with most Countries with highest Countries with highest

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

incoming transfers outgoing transfers increase of incoming increase of outgoing
transfers transfers

Country Number of Country Number of Country Increase in Country Increase in

transfers transfers number of number of
transfers transfers

Brazil 696 Brazil 618 England +52 Spain +91

England 501 England 477 Tunisia +52 Nigeria +64
Germany 307 Argentina 436 Hungary +48 Russia +39
Argentina 289 Spain 432 Norway +42 Switzerland +38
Portugal 287 Portugal 400 Iraq +41 Egypt +37
Italy 263 France 359 Czech Republic +38 Italy +34
Uruguay 233 Italy 339 USA +35 Croatia +33
France 227 Germany 311 Bulgaria +34 Costa Rica +31
USA 225 Uruguay 256 China PR +32 Côte d'Ivoire +30
Belgium 223 Russia 242 Mexico +32 Wales +28

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 7 lists the ten most active countries in terms of their clubs’ total number of incoming and outgoing transfers.
Countries with the highest increase in incoming and outgoing transfers are identified versus 2011 numbers. The
figure shows the absolute change in the number of incoming and outgoing transfers.
 31

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 8: Most active countries per region

Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe

America America
Countries with highest number of incoming transfers

3 Contracts
China PR 154 Tunisia 121 USA 225 Brazil 696 N/A England 501
Thailand 131 Egypt 80 Mexico 131 Argentina 289 N/A Germany 307
Oman 122 Morocco 74 Guatemala 101 Uruguay 233 N/A Portugal 287
Japan 109 South Africa 72 Panama 87 Chile 192 N/A Italy 263

2 Player characteristics
United Arab Emirates 93 Algeria 54 Canada 70 Colombia 158 N/A France 227
Countries with highest increase in the number of incoming transfers
Iraq + 41 Tunisia + 52 USA + 35 Colombia + 20 N/A England + 52
China PR + 32 Côte d'Ivoire + 29 Mexico + 32 Chile + 7 N/A Hungary + 48
Malaysia + 28 South Africa + 24 Guatemala + 21 Uruguay + 6 N/A Norway + 42

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Japan + 20 Morocco + 15 Costa Rica + 17 N/A N/A Czech Republic + 38
Bahrain + 15 Kenya + 15 Panama + 15 N/A N/A Bulgaria + 34
Countries with highest number of outgoing transfers
Korea Republic 114 Nigeria 203 USA 191 Brazil 618 New Zealand 15 England 477
Japan 112 Ghana 92 Mexico 108 Argentina 436 N/A Spain 432
China PR 90 Côte d'Ivoire 75 Canada 74 Uruguay 256 N/A Portugal 400
Australia 86 Egypt 72 Costa Rica 62 Colombia 201 N/A France 359
United Arab Emirates 74 Cameroon 70 Guatemala 54 Chile 145 N/A Italy 339
Countries with highest increase in the number of outgoing transfers
Thailand + 23 Nigeria + 64 Costa Rica + 31 Bolivia + 6 New Zealand + 3 Spain + 91
United Arab Emirates + 20 Egypt + 37 Canada + 24 Chile + 5 N/A Russia + 39
Hong Kong + 18 Côte d'Ivoire + 30 El Salvador + 11 N/A N/A Switzerland + 38
Singapore + 16 Gabon + 12 Guatemala + 3 N/A N/A Italy + 34
Malaysia + 11 Rwanda + 9 Honduras + 3 N/A N/A Croatia + 33
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 8 identifies those countries in each region that reported the most incoming and
outgoing player movements and provides the respective number of transfers. The figure
also identifies the countries with the highest increase in incoming and outgoing
transfers compared to 2011 and provides the respective increase in the number of
transfers.
‘N/A’ refers to cases where there were no countries with incoming/outgoing transfer
activity in respective regions, or where the listing of countries’ transfer activities would
have led to the identification of single player transfers.
32 1.4
Transfer
streams

The most active transfer The most active transfer stream from country to
country was from Portugal to Brazil, with 145

stream between transfers. The reverse path from Brazil to Portugal

ranked fourth, with 91 transfers.

countries in 2012 was These numbers again highlight Brazil as the dominant
player in the international transfer market, and position

from Portugal to Brazil. Portugal as an important counter-party in transfers

involving Brazilian clubs. In 2011, transfers between

In 2011, the reverse these two countries were ranked as the top two most
active transfer streams. The path from Brazil to Portugal

stream was the most was the most active.

active. Most of the top 25 transfer streams involved two

countries from the same region, for example,
Scotland and England (both ways), Wales and
England (both ways), or Argentina and Uruguay
(both ways).
Movement between Brazil (South America) and Portugal
(Europe) is therefore an exception. The majority of the
most active transfer streams between countries operate
in both directions. A clear exception is the stream from
Germany to Turkey (ranked 11th). The reverse transfer
stream, from Turkey to Germany, only ranks 238th.

This analysis suggests international transfer streams

reflect three patterns:
neighbouring countries (e.g. England to Scotland,
Argentina to Uruguay)

same or similar language (e.g. Brazil to Portugal)

non-football-related migration patterns. For
example, the case of players of Turkish origin,
who may be returning to the home country of
their parents.
 Figure 9: Most active transfer
34 streams between countries

Europe

North Asia
America

Africa

South
America Oceania

Countries with most active

transfer streams

Figure 9 identifies the most active transfer streams

between countries identified by the countries of
releasing and engaging clubs, and ranked by the
respective total number of transfers in 2012. In case of
an equal number of transfers conducted in 2012, the
stream reporting the bigger change versus 2011
numbers ranks first. The corresponding rank in 2011 is
also indicated per transfer stream. The ranking of the
reverse stream refers to the 2012 rank of the transfer
stream in the opposite direction (e.g. Brazil to Portugal
as the reverse stream to the stream from Portugal to
Brazil).
 35

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Rank Transfer stream Transfers Change in number Rank Reverse
2012 of transfers 2011 stream rank
1 Portugal to Brazil 145 +39 2 4
2 Scotland to England 92 +3 4 3
3 England to Scotland 92 -8 3 2
4 Brazil to Portugal 91 -24 1 1

3 Contracts
5 Argentina to Chile 84 +1 5 15
6 Argentina to Uruguay 73 +13 7 9
7 Wales to England 72 +24 12 8

2 Player characteristics
8 England to Wales 70 +8 6 7
9 Uruguay to Argentina 53 -1 9 6
10 Slovakia to Czech Republic 50 +16 20 24
11 Germany to Turkey 50 -8 8 238
12 Colombia to Panama 48 +13 18 96
13 France to Belgium 44 +1 15 86

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

14 Portugal to Cyprus 43 +5 16 388
15 Chile to Argentina 43 -9 10 5
16 Brazil to Japan 41 +9 28 37
17 Argentina to Paraguay 39 +5 20 80
18 Greece to Cyprus 38 +3 18 94
19 Ireland to England 37 +7 32 108
20 Spain to England 37 -13 11 52
21 France to England 36 +3 23 110
22 Canada to USA 35 +14 55 28
23 Italy to Brazil 35 +14 55 32
24 Czech Republic to Slovakia 34 -14 12 10
25 Korea Republic to Japan 33 +9 43 179
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
36

Figure 10 shows that transfer activity within Europe With activity within Asia (5% of market activity) and
accounted for 45% of the global transfer market within Africa (4% of market activity) accounting for
activity. Market activity within South America further significant market shares, these numbers back up
reported the second-highest proportion of the the insight that most of the international transfer activity
overall market, but only had an 8.8% share of the involves releasing and engaging clubs from the same
market activity. region.

Figure 10: Overview of transfer streams between and within regions

Number of transfers
To Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe Grand total
From America America
Asia 575 90 39 214 0 262 1,180
Africa 357 461 6 20 0 289 1,133
North America 40 6 311 169 0 140 666
South America 209 16 284 1,016 0 489 2,014
Oceania 8 0 3 0 0 5 16
Europe 419 188 161 573 0 5,202 6,543
Grand total 1,608 761 804 1,992 0 6,387 11,552

Percentage of total transfer activity

To Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe Grand total
From America America
Asia 5.0% 0.8% 0.3% 1.9% N/A 2.3% 10.2%
Africa 3.1% 4.0% 0.1% 0.2% N/A 2.5% 9.8%
North America 0.3% 0.1% 2.7% 1.5% N/A 1.2% 5.8%
South America 1.8% 0.1% 2.5% 8.8% N/A 4.2% 17.4%
Oceania 0.1% N/A 0.0% N/A N/A 0.0% 0.1%
Europe 3.6% 1.6% 1.4% 5.0% N/A 45.0% 56.6%
Grand total 13.9% 6.6% 7.0% 17.2% N/A 55.3% 100%
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 10 identifies transfer streams between and within regions by the corresponding number of transfers conducted.
It also provides the percentage of total transfer market activity covered by each transfer stream.
‘N/A’ refers to cases where zero transfers between or within regions did not allow for the calculation of percentages of
total transfer activity.
38

Figure 11 to Figure 16 apply a more detailed perspective

to transfer streams per region. As an example, Figure 14
shows that the top destinations of transfers from South
America to North America were to Mexico (84 transfers)
and to Panama (68 transfers).

Most transfers out of South American countries to other

regions were still to Europe (489 transfers), although
that transfer stream decreased by 14% (82 transfers)
compared to 2011.

Transfers out of Asia and across regional borders also

primarily went to European countries, with 262 transfers.
This stream from Asia to Europe increased by 10% (24
transfers).

Transfers from Africa to other regions were most often

with a destination country in Asia (357 transfers). This
stream showed 10% growth (31 transfers) versus 2011.

Only six transfers went from North American countries

to African countries.

A more significant stream of 188 transfers was conducted

from Europe to Africa, a 21% (33 transfers) increase
compared to 2011.

As in 2011, Oceania’s clubs only minimally participated

in international player transfers.

Figure 11 to Figure 16 show:

a) Outgoing transfer streams at regional level with total number of transfers conducted
per stream, as well as absolute and percentage fluctuations versus 2011 numbers
b) Top destination countries of outgoing transfers per stream at regional level with
number of transfers. Information that is based on single player transfers has been
excluded from the scope to comply with data protection rules
‘N/A’ refers to cases where there were zero outgoing transfers to specific regions, or
where the listing of destination countries would have led to the identification of single
player transfers.
Figure 11: Transfer streams Asia 39

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Europe
262
|+
24 |
+ 10%
North America 575 | -53 | -8%
17 | +
77% Asia
39 | +
%
58
|+
33
|+
1% Africa 90
|+ 0|
2
|+ 0|
4
21 0%

3 Contracts
South America
Oceania

2 Player characteristics
A|B|C
A: Number of transfers 2012
B: Absolute fluctuation versus 2011

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

C: Percentage fluctuation versus 2011

Top destination countries of transfers out of or within Asia:

Asia Africa North America South America Oceania Europe
Thailand 56 Tunisia 18 USA 11 Brazil 175 N/A England 20
China PR 55 Morocco 18 Honduras 10 Argentina 9 N/A Portugal 20
Japan 45 Egypt 17 Costa Rica 4 Chile 8 N/A Germany 19

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

40 Figure 12: Transfer streams Africa

289 | +
Europe
North America
3 | +1%

Asia
6 | -2 | -25%
%
Africa | +10
461 | +4 | +1% | +31
357

| -5%
| -1
20
South America
Oceania
0|0|0
%

A|B|C
A: Number of transfers 2012
B: Absolute fluctuation versus 2011
C: Percentage fluctuation versus 2011

Top destination countries of transfers out of or within Africa:

Asia Africa North America South America Oceania Europe
Oman 68 Tunisia 78 USA 5 Brazil 16 N/A France 40
Nepal 35 Egypt 49 N/A Venezuela 2 N/A Portugal 24
India 35 South Africa 42 N/A N/A N/A Belgium 23
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
Figure 13: Transfer streams North America 41

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
140 | +9 | +7% Europe
North America 40 | -
311 | +5 | +2% 6 | -1
3 % Asia
6 |0
|0
%

Africa
169
| 0| 0

3 Contracts
%

0|
South America 0|
0 % Oceania

2 Player characteristics
A|B|C
A: Number of transfers 2012
B: Absolute fluctuation versus 2011

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

C: Percentage fluctuation versus 2011

Top destination countries of transfers out of or within North America:

Asia Africa North America South America Oceania Europe
China PR 6 South Africa 2 USA 76 Colombia 35 N/A England 21
India 5 N/A Guatemala 57 Uruguay 32 N/A Sweden 16
Thailand 4 N/A Canada 37 Brazil 30 N/A Finland 16
Australia 4 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
42 Figure 14: Transfer streams South America

Europe
North America 4%
| -1
| -8
2 Asia
9
48
28

Africa %
4

| -8
|+

% 7
29 | -1
49

+1
|+

| 9
|+
9 20
21

16
%

South America
Oceania
1,016 | -59 | -5%

| 0%
0|0

A|B|C
A: Number of transfers 2012
B: Absolute fluctuation versus 2011
C: Percentage fluctuation versus 2011

Top destination countries of transfers out of or within South America:

Asia Africa North America South America Oceania Europe
Japan 43 Rwanda 4 Mexico 84 Argentina 187 N/A Portugal 112
China PR 29 Tunisia 3 Panama 68 Uruguay 152 N/A Italy 71
United Arab 21 Congo DR 3 USA 39 Chile 143 N/A Spain 48
Emirates

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 15: Transfer streams Oceania 43

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Europe
North America
5| Asia 8|
-2 |
+3 -20
3| |+ %
- 1|
-2 Africa 15
0 %
5%

0|
0|

3 Contracts
0%

South America
Oceania
0 | 0 | 0%

2 Player characteristics
0|0|
0%

A|B|C
A: Number of transfers 2012
B: Absolute fluctuation versus 2011

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

C: Percentage fluctuation versus 2011

Top destination countries of transfers out of or within Oceania:

Asia Africa North America South America Oceania Europe
Australia 7 N/A USA 3 N/A N/A England 3
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
44 Figure 16: Transfer streams Europe

5,202 | +104 | +2%

| +8% Europe
| +12 41

%
161 9|
North America
21 -2
|+
4|
Asia
3

-5
+3

%
8|
18

Africa
3%
|-
-20

0
|0
3|

|0
57

%
South America
Oceania

A|B|C
A: Number of transfers 2012
B: Absolute fluctuation versus 2011
C: Percentage fluctuation versus 2011

Top destination countries of transfers out of or within Europe:

Asia Africa North America South America Oceania Europe
China PR 62 Algeria 28 USA 91 Brazil 287 N/A England 445
Uzbekistan 33 South Africa 27 Canada 24 Argentina 66 N/A Germany 271
Thailand 30 Tunisia 22 Mexico 20 Uruguay 43 N/A Italy 186
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
46 1.5
Case study:
Booming Brazil

Brazil is the top The most active transfer stream in 2012 was from Portugal
to Brazil (145 transfers) while in 2011, it was in the other

destination for direction. Brazilian clubs signed considerably more

players (696) than any other country in 2012, heralding

international what ESPN Brazil magazine has called ‘A new world

order’10.

football players. 87% (608 transfers) of all transfers into Brazil were
Brazilian players. This was because the country has
become attractive for seasoned foreign-based players
returning home, either in search of one last big contract or
a shot at a place in Brazil’s squad for the 2014 FIFA World
Cup™. This shift is explained by the economic growth
Brazil has experienced in the last ten years, with an annual
average GDP increase of 3.7% between 2002 and 201011,
alongside the feel-good factor from its appointment as the
host of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.

Being chosen to host one of the most important sporting

events in the world had immediate consequences for the
game in Brazil. It resulted in an increase in the valuation of
the TV rights market, and the decision of Brazil’s biggest
clubs to embark on individual sales of broadcasting rights.
Brazil was also helped by the fact that the European
financial crisis affected the international transfer spending
of clubs in Portugal, Spain and Italy. Historically, these
countries have been the most active in transferring
Brazilian players, but with less money available to pay
salaries, they faced new competition from Brazilian clubs.

10 Marcus Alves and Anderson Gurgel, ‘A new world order’, The Entertainment and
Sport Programming Network (ESPN) Brazil magazine, Brazil, 9 August 2012, p. 46
11 ‘Will Brazil remain the country of the future?’, The Economist, Latin Americas
edition, 8 October 2012
 47

6 Intermediaries
Brazil

5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Sharing a language with Portugal ensures players are Figure 17: Brazil’s incoming
guaranteed an easier and quicker integration. The transfers
competitive element of the Brazilian Championship, the
Campeonato Brasileiro, which has produced four different
champions in the last five years, also draws interest. The Brazil 2012
2012 championship featured a great number of former Most incoming Highest increase in
Brazil national team stars and players with international transfers from: incoming transfers from:

3 Contracts
experience. The side who won the championship fielded Portugal 145 Portugal +39
eight players with European football experience on their Italy 35 Italy +14
CVs. Indeed, the majority of Brazil’s incoming transfers Uruguay 33 United Arab Emirates +8
Japan 28 Romania +6

2 Player characteristics
were experienced players. In 2012, the average age of
players moving into Brazil was 25 years and 7 months, Korea Republic 24 Latvia +6
compared to a global average age of transferred players at Spain 23 Hong Kong +6
24 years and 10 months. United Arab Emirates 22
Greece 15
China PR 15

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Iran 15
Biggest drop in incoming
transfers from:
Kuwait -12
Vietnam -11
France -9
Greece -9
Germany -8

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 17 lists the top countries that have transferred

the highest numbers of players to Brazil. The figure also
identifies the originating countries with the biggest
increase and drop in Brazil’s incoming transfers versus
2011 numbers.
48

Brazil

Figure 18: Brazil’s outgoing The increase in broadcast revenues, along with
transfers sponsorship and marketing revenues, accompanies a
drop in net receipts from international player transfers.
11% fewer resulted in net receipts of USD 121 million in
Brazil 2012 201212. In turn, wages at the top level have become more
Most outgoing transfers to: Highest increase in competitive, as new models of funding star players’
outgoing transfers to: salaries, through sponsors or specific marketing
Portugal 91 Hungary +17 relationships, gain popularity.
Japan 41 Italy +11
Italy 30 Japan +9 The trend is converting to success on the pitch, too.
Uruguay 25 United Arab Emirates +9 Brazilian teams have become so dominant in South
China PR 20 Romania +6 America’s premier club competition, the Copa
Hungary 19 Mexico +6 Libertadores, that in 2006, the rules were amended to
United Arab Emirates 18 allow clubs from the same country to face each other in
Korea Republic 18 the semi-finals. As the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ approaches,
Romania 18 Brazil is becoming an influential destination, for both
Greece 16 foreign and local players.
Thailand 16
Biggest drop in outgoing
transfers to:
Portugal -24
Ukraine -9
Poland -9
Guatemala -9
Uruguay -8
Korea Republic -8
Vietnam -8

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 18 lists the top countries that Brazil has trans-

ferred players to. The figure also identifies the countries
with the biggest increase and drop in Brazil’s outgoing
transfers versus 2011 numbers.

12 Net receipts and net spend are calculated as the total of a country’s receipts of fixed
transfer compensation minus the total of that country’s spend on fixed transfer
compensation. For net receipts, total receipts exceed total spend, and for net spend,
total spend exceeds total receipts.
 2
51

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Player
characteristics

3 Contracts
Player age 2.1

2 Player characteristics
Player nationality 2.2

Player positions 2.3

Case study: Youth excellence 2.4

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

The following sections focus on age-,
nationality- and position-related analyses.
52 2.1
Player age

African countries reported The average age of professional players transferred

internationally in 2012 was 24 years and 10 months, the

the youngest average age same as in 2011. A number of transfers involved players
aged 16 or 17. Generally, FIFA’s regulations do not allow

of players in outgoing international transfers of minors (i.e. players who have

not yet reached the age of 18) or the first registration of

transfers. Players moving foreign minors in an association13. This group of 16- and
17-year-olds transferred in 2012 refers to players

into England were the acquiring the status of professionals early in their careers
who were allowed to move internationally on the basis of

youngest, whereas those one of the following exceptions:

moving into Malaysia The minor’s home and the club are both within 50km
of a common border, and the distance between the

were the oldest. minor’s home and the club does not exceed 100km.
The minor’s parents are moving to another country for
a reason not linked to football.
The transfer is within the European Union (EU) or the
European Economic Area (EEA) and the player is over
16 (and certain stringent conditions are met, such as
the level of academic and football training).

A further option is made possible by the jurisprudence of

the sub-committee appointed by the Players’ Status
Committee for the purpose of the protection of minors. It
regularly grants authorisation for the first registration of
a foreign minor player if the latter has been living for at
least five years in the country where he wishes to be
registered. The sub-committee deems that under such
circumstances, the minor should be considered a national
of that country from a sporting point of view.
 53

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 19 shows that the frequency of players transferred
per year increases until players turn 23. This then
steadily decreases as players enter their mid-30s.

The under-20 age group accounted for 10% of all

international transfers. Players aged between 20 and 24
accounted for 39% of all international transfers. Players

3 Contracts
aged between 25 and 29 accounted for 36% and those
aged 30 and older accounted for 14%14.

2 Player characteristics
Figure 19: Age distribution of players in international transfers

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Figure 19 shows the number of internationally
transferred players per player age.
1,040
978
943 943 915
829 847
771 742
668
590
505
463
405
301
204
100 118
54 77
26 14 10 5 3

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

Age of players
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

13 FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012, art. 19. See ‘Appendix A1: Glossary and assumptions’ for details.
14 The total does not add up to 100% because of the rounding procedures applied.
54

Figure 20 shows that African countries reported the

youngest average age of outgoing players worldwide
(excluding Oceania’s marginal participation in the
transfer market), with those moving into European
countries having the lowest average age at 21 years
and 4 months. On average, African countries’ clubs
also reported the youngest players in incoming
transfers, with an average age of 23 years and 10
months. Figure 20 also shows that players transferred
into Asian and European countries were younger
than those transferred out of the same countries.
Players moving into European countries were generally
younger than those moving into other regions,
irrespective of their region of origin.

Figure 20: Average age of players transferred between and within regions

To Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe Average for

From America America outgoing
players
Asia 26.0 26.1 27.8 27.4 N/A 25.9 26.3
Africa 23.7 23.1 23.2 26.7 N/A 21.3 22.9
North America 25.8 26.7 26.0 26.4 N/A 24.0 25.7
South America 26.3 25.6 24.8 25.7 N/A 23.0 25.0
Oceania 23.1 N/A 21.7 N/A N/A 21.8 22.4
Europe 26.9 24.4 26.2 25.2 N/A 24.4 24.7
Average for 25.7 23.8 25.7 25.8 N/A 24.2 24.8
incoming players

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Incoming players are older than outgoing players

Incoming players are younger than outgoing players

Incoming and outgoing players are of equal age Figure 20 shows the average age of players transferred
between and within regions. All age data is given in years.
‘N/A’ refers to cases where zero transfers between or
within regions did not allow for the calculation of average
age of transferred players.
 55

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
In 2012, England’s incoming players were the Four of the top five countries reporting the youngest
youngest whereas Malaysia’s incoming players were average age of outgoing players were from Africa,
the oldest. with Ghana leading the way and Nigeria, Côte
Figure 21 shows that clubs in Italy, Ghana and Switzerland d’Ivoire and Cameroon joining in. The outgoing
engaged players with low average ages, while Malaysia, players with the highest average age were
Guatemala and the UAE engaged older players in 2012. transferred out of Asian countries, with Iran, the
UAE and China PR leading the way.

3 Contracts
Ghana was one of the transfer market’s major operators
as regards younger players, ranking top in terms of
outgoing player movements and third in terms of

2 Player characteristics
incoming movements.

Figure 21: Countries with lowest and Figure 22: Countries with lowest and

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

highest average age of incoming players highest average age of outgoing players

Country Lowest Country Highest Country Lowest Country Highest

average age average age average age average age
England 22.4 Malaysia 27.9 Ghana 20.4 Iran 28.5
Italy 22.5 Guatemala 27.3 Ireland 20.7 United Arab Emirates 28.3
Ghana 22.6 United Arab Emirates 27.1 Nigeria 21.0 China PR 28.3
Switzerland 22.8 Saudi Arabia 26.9 Côte d'Ivoire 21.7 Cyprus 28.0
Egypt 23.1 Cyprus 26.6 Cameroon 21.9 Qatar 28.0
Denmark 23.2 Peru 26.5 Georgia 22.9 Azerbaijan 27.9
Portugal 23.3 Argentina 26.5 Lithuania 23.0 Guatemala 27.8
Belgium 23.4 Venezuela 26.5 Sweden 23.8 Saudi Arabia 27.5
Netherlands 23.5 Colombia 26.5 Bosnia-Herzegovina 23.8 Venezuela 26.9
Armenia 23.6 Bolivia 26.5 Finland 23.9 Mexico 26.9

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 21 identifies the countries whose clubs engaged the youngest and oldest Figure 22 identifies the countries releasing the youngest and oldest players and shows
players and shows the average age of incoming players. This analysis includes all the average age of outgoing players. This analysis includes all outgoing players per
incoming players per country, irrespective of their nationality. The analysis only includes country, irrespective of their nationality. The analysis only includes countries reporting a
countries reporting a minimum of 50 incoming transfers in 2012. All age data is given minimum of 50 outgoing transfers in 2012. All age data is given in years.
in years.
56

The analysis in Figure 23 shows that Egypt has the Argentina (sixth) and Brazil (eighth) are examples where
biggest age difference between engaged players the age difference between older incoming and younger
and released players, followed by Azerbaijan, China outgoing players could be down to players returning to
PR and Turkey. European countries including Italy, their home country after an international career.
England, Switzerland and Portugal also showed a
non-negligible age difference between incoming The youngest players transferred between countries
and outgoing players. worldwide were those transferred from Ireland to
England. This was the only transfer stream between
A number of prominent South American countries countries with an average age of transferred players
appeared with a difference in average age where below 20. Players transferred from the United Arab
incoming transfers were older than outgoing Emirates to Brazil were the oldest in 2012.
transfers. These countries have fed others with Other transfer streams with a low average age were from
young talent and then acquired older players. Austria to Germany (21 years and 1 month) and from
Ghana, whose top position was driven by the low Korea Republic to Japan (21 years and 2 months).
average age of outgoing players (20 years and 5 Transfers from Mexico to Argentina, by contrast, ranked
months), leads this ranking followed by Bosnia- second oldest, with those from Costa Rica to Guatemala
Herzegovina and Colombia. third.

Figure 23: Countries with the biggest age difference

between incoming and outgoing players

Country Difference in Country Difference in

average age average age
Incoming players are younger than outgoing players
Egypt -2.8 Ghana 2.1
Incoming players are older than outgoing players
Azerbaijan -2.3 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1.8
China PR -2.1 Colombia 1.6
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
Turkey -2.0 Australia 1.6
Italy -1.8 Korea Republic 1.6 Figure 23 identifies the countries with the biggest differences between the average age
Morocco -1.7 Argentina 1.6 of incoming transfers and the average age of outgoing transfers. Age difference is
calculated as the average age of incoming transfers minus the average age of outgoing
Mexico -1.7 Canada 1.5 transfers. As an example, players transferred into Egypt were 2 years and 10 months
England -1.6 Brazil 1.3 younger than those transferred out of Egypt. In contrast, players transferred into Ghana
were 2 years and 1 month older than those transferred out of Ghana. This analysis only
Switzerland -1.6 USA 1.1 includes countries with a minimum of 50 incoming and outgoing transfers in 2012. All
age data is given in years.
Portugal -1.5 Uruguay 1.1
Figure 24: Transfer streams between countries by average age 57

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Europe

North America Asia

Africa

3 Contracts
Oceania

2 Player characteristics
South America
Countries listed in chart below

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Transfer stream Lowest Transfers Transfer stream Highest Transfers
average age average age
Ireland to England 18.8 37 United Arab Emirates to Brazil 28.8 22
Austria to Germany 21.1 31 Mexico to Argentina 28.3 23
Korea Republic to Japan 21.2 33 Costa Rica to Guatemala 28.2 26
England to Spain 21.5 24 England to USA 27.9 23
Nigeria to India 22.0 28 Chile to Uruguay 27.7 20
Netherlands to Germany 22.2 22 Cyprus to Bulgaria 27.5 24
Brazil to Italy 22.3 30 Brazil to China PR 27.3 20
Belgium to Netherlands 22.3 31 Portugal to Cyprus 27.1 43
Brazil to Portugal 22.4 91 Libya to Tunisia 26.7 31
Spain to England 22.5 37 Greece to Cyprus 26.6 38

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 24 identifies the transfer streams between countries, with the youngest and
oldest average age of players transferred. It also shows the total number of transfers
corresponding to these youngest and oldest transfer streams. This analysis includes all
transfer streams between countries with a minimum of 20 transfers in 2012. All age
data is given in years.
58 2.2
Player nationality

 ith 1,463 international

W 2012 saw the transfer of a total of 1,463 players
with Brazilian nationality (as either first or second

player transfers, Brazilian nationality). Argentinian nationals, as well as

players from the United Kingdom (England,

players were the most Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales) were the
second and third most prominent.

frequently transferred Out of the 1,463 players with Brazilian nationality, only
three had a second nationality of any kind. In total, dual

in 2012. nationalities were reported in just over 1% of overall

transfers (126 out of 11,552 transfers). Dual nationalities
were most prominent amongst players with Italian
nationality, with 14% of players (29 out of 213) reporting
a second nationality.

Figure 25: Top nationalities represented in international transfers

1,463

Figure 25 identifies the most represented nationalities

amongst the players transferred during 2012, and lists
the number of total representations. It also provides the
number of players of a given nationality who have a
second nationality. The category labelled ‘United
782 Kingdom’ refers to players from England, Northern
Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

507
394
334 331 319
287 285
232 213 212 188 177 174
Players transferred

3 6 3 7 2 0 0 5 1 2 29 2 1 0 3 Players with second nationality

Br Ar Un Fra Ur Ni Co Sp Se Po Ita Cr
oa Gh Cô US
az ge ite nc ug ge lom ain rb rtu ly an te A
il nt dK e ua ria bia ia ga tia a d'I
ina ing y l vo
ire
do
m
 59

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Croatian and Spanish nationalities have displayed Brazilian players, despite being the most represented
the most significant growth in the transfer market, nationality in 2012’s transfers, had the biggest
as they were involved in 63 and 58 more transfers decrease in international transfer involvement
respectively than in 2011. compared to 2011.
Other nationalities reporting fewer representations
amongst internationally transferred players were
Kuwait, Paraguay and Romania.

3 Contracts
2 Player characteristics
Figure 26: Nationalities with highest Figure 27: Nationalities with biggest drop
increase in international transfers in international transfers

+63

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

+58
+52
+50
+45
+39
+35

+26 +25
+19
c
bli a
ay pu ric
it ia Re us an
y Af
a zil wa rag
u
ma
n
r bia ec
h lar rm u th g ola
Br Ku Pa Ro Se Cz Be Ge So An

Cr Sp Cô Ita Fra Gr Co Slo De Eg

oa ain te ly nc ee sta va nm yp
tia d’I e ce Ric kia ark t
v oir a
e
-18 -16
-20

-28 -27
-34
-37
-44
-49

Figure 26 identifies those nationalities represented Figure 27 identifies those nationalities represented
amongst players transferred internationally in 2012 with -67 amongst players transferred internationally in 2012 with
the biggest increase in representation versus 2011 the biggest decrease in representation versus 2011
numbers. The figure provides the absolute change in numbers. The figure provides the absolute change in
numbers of representations. numbers of representations.

Source for figures 25 – 27: FIFA TMS, 2012

60

Brazilian players were the most represented in Brazilian players ranked number one in the
transfers between countries where the players’ proportion of countries’ incoming transfers covered
home country was not involved. by home-country nationals. 87% of the transfers
Argentinian players ranked second in this list of players (608 out of 696 transfers) moving into Brazil referred
on global career paths. Players from the African region, to players moving into their home country.
including Nigeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, This highlights the trend of Brazilian professionals
were also in the top ten. returning home after pursuing careers abroad.

Figure 28: Top nationalities of players Figure 29: Highest proportions of incoming
on global career paths players with home-country nationality

312 87%
75%
69% 68%
227 65%
61%
56% 56% 53% 52%

137
123
94 90 87 81 73 72

Br Ar Fra Ni Ca Cô Se Se Ita Po Br Ar Gh Cr Ge Co S Ma Pa Ur
az
il ge nc ge
ria
me te rbi ne ly rtu az
il ge an oa
tia or lom erbi ce rag ug
nt d’I a ga nt gia a ua
ina e ro
on vo l ga
l ina a bia do
nia
ua
y y
ire

Figure 28 illustrates the top nationalities represented in Figure 29 shows a ranking of the proportions of total
transfers where players move between countries other incoming transfers in which players move back into their
than their home country (home country is indicated by a home country (home country indicated by player’s
player’s nationality). As an example, this analysis nationality). As an example, 87% of transfers into Brazil
identifies and includes a Brazilian player moving from involve Brazilian players moving into their home country.
Germany to Italy, but not a Brazilian player moving from The analysis includes nationalities and countries
Germany to Brazil. reporting a minimum of 50 incoming transfers.
 61

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Many players originating from African countries
were amongst the youngest players involved in
international transfers, with Ugandan nationals
being the youngest.
Players from Ghana, Ireland, Nigeria and Switzerland
made up the top five.
Costa Rica ranked first in the list of nationalities

3 Contracts
with the highest average age of internationally
transferred players, followed by Belarus and Chile.

2 Player characteristics
Figure 30: Nationalities of transferred
players with lowest and highest average age

Nationality Lowest Nationality Highest

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

average age average age
Uganda 22.0 Costa Rica 26.7
Ghana 22.1 Belarus 26.5
Ireland 22.2 Chile 26.4
Nigeria 22.2 Morocco 26.4
Switzerland 22.4 Honduras 26.4
Belgium 22.9 Czech Republic 26.3
Austria 23.3 Uruguay 26.3
Côte d'Ivoire 23.3 Syria 26.1
Turkey 23.3 Bulgaria 26.1
United Kingdom 23.5 Romania 26.1

Source for figures 28 – 30: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 30 illustrates the nationalities of transferred players by average age and lists the
nationalities with the youngest and oldest average age represented in 2012’s transfers.
This analysis only includes nationalities involved in a minimum of 50 transfers. The
category labelled ‘United Kingdom’ refers to players from England, Northern Ireland,
Scotland or Wales. All age data is given in years.
62 2.3
Player positions

 idfielders and forwards

M For the first time, FIFA TMS presents information on the
playing positions of players involved in international

accounted for 70% transfers. The analyses presented in this section include
all incoming transfers to the most active countries:

of incoming transfers Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy and Portugal.

Together, the incoming transfers of these six countries

into the six most active accounted for 20% of the 2012 global transfer market
activity (2,343 transfers).

countries, while
goalkeepers had the
youngest average age.
 63

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 31: Positions of players transferred into the six most active countries

23.8

5%

3 Contracts
35% 25%

2 Player characteristics
24.4
24.1

24.4 Average age

Goalkeeper

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Defender

35% Midfielder

Forward

24.0

Top nationalities by positions

Goalkeeper Defender Midfielder Forward Figure 31 shows:
Brazil 30 Brazil 189 Brazil 251 Brazil 309 a) The playing positions of incoming transfers to
Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy and Portugal,
United Kingdom 14 Argentina 61 Argentina 101 Argentina 103 as well as the average age of the players per playing
Argentina 7 United Kingdom 57 United Kingdom 62 United Kingdom 56 position. As an example, the average age of defenders
transferred into these six countries was 24 years and 1
Poland 7 Portugal 22 Portugal 35 France 26 month. All age data is given in years.
b) The top nationalities represented amongst incoming
Portugal 7 France 21 France 34 Uruguay 26
transfers, grouped by player position, with the
Italy 21 respective number of transferred players. The category
labelled ‘United Kingdom’ refers to players from
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

Source for position data: Infostrada, 2012

Source for transfer and age data: FIFA TMS, 2012
64

Midfielders and forwards were the most frequently Figure 32: Playing positions of incoming
transferred players and together accounted for a transfers for the six most active countries
total of 70% of incoming transfers into the six
countries. Goalkeepers, who made up only 5% of
these incoming international transfers, were the
3% 4%
youngest, at 23 years and 10 months. 26.9 27.4
37% 41%
26.5 25.4
Brazilian players were the most frequently 26% 21%
transferred in all four positions. Argentina 26.3 Brazil 25.7

Argentinian players and those from the United Kingdom

(England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales) also
34% 34%
ranked highly. This analysis also shows Polish goalkeepers 26.5 25.4
(7 transfers) figuring amongst the top represented in
moving to these six most active countries.

8% 5%
Figure 32 breaks each country’s incoming transfers 21.1 25.4
down by player position, and shows that the 31% 30%
23.2 23.6
youngest defenders, midfielders and goalkeepers 24% 29%
were transferred into England, while the youngest England 22.1 Germany 24.0

forwards moved to Italy.

Forwards accounted for the highest percentage of total
37% 36%
incoming transfers in Brazil (41%). German, Italian and 22.2 23.4
Portuguese clubs engaged the highest percentage of
defenders (29%), while English clubs engaged the highest
percentage of midfielders (37%) and goalkeepers (8%).
7% 5%
21.6 24.3
30% 33%
26.5 Average age
22.6 22.9
Figure 32 analyses incoming transfers by country and
Goalkeeper 29% 29%
shows the playing positions of incoming players, as well 22.5 23.4
Italy Portugal
as the average age of players per playing position. As an Defender
example, the average age of defenders transferred into
Portugal was 23 years and 5 months. All age data is Midfielder
given in years.
Forward
34% 33%
22.5 23.5

Source for position data: Infostrada, 2012

Source for transfer and age data: FIFA TMS, 2012
66 2.4
Case study:
Youth excellence

Ghana leads the way in It all began when Ghana won the inaugural FIFA U-17
World Cup in Italy in 1991. Ghana reached the final of the

transfers of young talent. next three competitions (winning it again in 1995), thus
securing its reputation as one of the most successful
countries for the development of talented young players.
Nine players from the class of 1991 ended up moving to
play for European clubs.

Twenty-one years on, the movement is still happening,

but a few things have changed. Firstly, the age at which
players are moving is getting younger. Of the Ghana
squad that was victorious in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in
Egypt in 2009, ten players were already playing their
club football abroad, while another four players had yet
to make their debut in Ghana’s local league.

The direction of their movement is also changing, no

longer just in one direction. The number of outgoing
transfers to Africa, Asia and Europe is split almost evenly.
As the competition for positions in European clubs
becomes fiercer, Ghanaian players have taken their talent
elsewhere. Tajikistan (12 transfers) and Egypt (11
transfers) are popular destinations on the Asian and
African continents.
 67

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
Ghana

4 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Figure 33: Country-level This exodus of young players is partly down to economic
and region-level destinations reasons. The rise of satellite TV in Ghana, airing Europe’s
for Ghana’s outgoing transfers most popular leagues, has led to reduced attendances in
the local Ghanaian league15. This in turn has affected the
revenues of clubs. With less money to pay players, those
players can find increased salaries elsewhere.
Country Transfers Average age

3 Contracts
Tajikistan 12 21.1 The youth academies in Ghana keep on producing talent,
Egypt 11 19.9 helped by the natural development of their skills. “They
South Africa 6 20.8 end up with superb technique and ability on the ball, and

2 Player characteristics
Côte d’Ivoire 6 21.0 technique is what it takes to make a good player,” said
Sweden 4 18.5 Otto Pfister, who coached the U-17 side to success in
1991, in an interview with FIFA.com16. Pfister was also
struck by the players’ professionalism, remembering that
Region Transfers Average age once he asked his team to meet at three o’clock in the
Africa 36 20.7 morning and was surprised to see them all ready half an

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Europe 29 19.2 hour early. “They want to learn and there are many good
Asia 26 21.3 coaches in the country who help develop the available
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012 talent,” he added.

With the Ghana squad selected for the Africa Cup of

Figure 33 lists the top destinations of 2012’s player Nations 2013 containing not a single capped outfield
movements out of Ghana by the number of transfers
and average age of transferred players. All age data is
player based in his home country17, outgoing transfers
given in years. look set to continue. The talent pool is showing no signs
of drying up.

15 Piers Edwards, ‘Is satellite TV killing African football?’, BBC Sport Online,
29 January 2013
16 ‘Otto Pfister, ‘Ghana has superb young players’, [Link], 2 October 1999
17 Outfield player refers to any player on the pitch who is not the goalkeeper.
 3
69

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Contracts

3 Contracts
Transfer types 3.1

Transfer types by transfer stream 3.2

2 Player characteristics
Player contract lengths 3.3

Case study: A unique relationship 3.4

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

The following sections present analyses on the
types of transfers conducted in 2012 and look at
player contract durations.
70 3.1
Transfer types

 0% of international
7 TMS specifies four general types of transfers leading to
player movements between two countries’ clubs:

transfers involved players Firstly, ‘engage out of contract’ transfers refer to players

without a contract. signing with a new club without being contractually

bound to a previous club. Typically, ‘out of contract’

12% of transfers involved transfers do no involve a transfer agreement between

two clubs.

new clubs engaging a Secondly, ‘engage player’ transfers refer to players

player ‘on loan’. moving to a new club while still under contract with their
prior club. ‘Engage player’ transfers are based on a
termination of the player’s prior employment contract
that is agreed between the player, the former club, and
the new club, as the player moves into a permanent
employment contract with his new club.

Thirdly, ‘engage on loan’ transfers refer to players being

lent to a new club for a defined period of time while still
remaining in a running contract with their prior club. As
such, a player’s employment contract with a new club in
an ‘engage on loan’ transfer is of a temporary nature.
 71

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
And fourthly, ‘return from loan’ transfers refer to players Focusing on ‘engage out of contract’ transfers only, TMS
moving back to their prior clubs after an ‘engage on loan’ distinguishes between four reasons for which a player
arrangement has ended. was transferred ‘out of contract’:

‘Engage player’, ‘engage on loan’, and ‘return from loan’ 49% an earlier employment contract expired,
transfers typically involve club-to-club agreements, but 31% 
early termination was mutually agreed
not necessarily compensation payments. between the player and his prior club,

3 Contracts
17% a player did not have a previous employment
70% (8,110 transfers) of the 2012 international contract as a professional football player and
transfers involved players changing clubs while 3% 
a previous employment contract was

2 Player characteristics
being ‘out of contract’, the same proportion as in terminated unilaterally.
2011.
The remaining 30% that was not conducted as an ‘out of
contract’ transfer was broken down as follows:

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

12% (1,375 transfers)
loan agreements, of which 36% involved club-to-club
compensation,

10% (1,146 transfers)

clubs engaging a player from another club, of which 85%
involved club-to-club compensation, and

8% (921 transfers)
players returning from a loan back to their old clubs.
72

Figure 34: Transfer types

Transfer by type Termination of

previous contract
15%

Engage
player 8% 49%

10%
85%

31%

36%
12%
Engage
on loan 70% 17%

3%

64%

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Involving club-to-club compensation Engage out of contract Expiry of contract

Early termination mutually
Not involving club-to-club compensation Engage on Ioan
agreed between player and club
Engage player No previous contract

Return from Ioan Unilateral termination

Figure 34 shows:
a) The percentage distribution of 2012’s international
transfers into four generic types distinguished in TMS:
(1) ‘engage out of contract’, (2) ‘engage player’, (3)
‘engage on loan’, and (4) ‘return from loan’ transfers.
b) The distribution of previous contract termination
types of players engaged ‘out of contract’.
c) The percentages of ‘engage player’ and ‘engage on
loan’ transfers involving club-to-club compensation.
74 3.2
Transfer types by
transfer stream

E ngaging players ‘out of Loans were a popular club-to-club agreement within

regions. 16% of transfers within South America

contract’ was the were conducted as loans, while within Europe and
Asia those figures were 12% and 10% respectively.

dominant contract type In terms of transfers across regions, European clubs

were the most active in engaging players from other

in the three most active clubs or ‘on loan’. This conclusion is based on the
observation that ‘engage player’ and ‘engage on loan’

transfer streams. transfers regularly report high proportions for transfers

into Europe, irrespective of the outgoing region of

Loans were popular transfers.

amongst transfers For transfers out of South America, loans were a

prominent transfer type. 26% of transfers to Asia

between countries within and 26% of transfers to Europe were loans.

the same region.

 75

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 35: Transfer types by stream between and within regions

To Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe Grand total

From America America
Asia 575 90 39 214 N/A 262 1,180

3 Contracts
Engage out of contract 82% 80% 87% 79% N/A 84%
Engage player 3% 2% 3% 2% N/A 7%
Engage on loan 10% 1% 0% 4% N/A 3%
Return from loan 5% 17% 10% 15% N/A 5%

2 Player characteristics
Africa 357 461 6 20 N/A 289 1,133
Engage out of contract 90% 80% 83% 95% N/A 61%
Engage player 1% 13% 0% 0% N/A 21%
Engage on loan 8% 5% 0% 0% N/A 16%
Return from loan 0% 2% 17% 5% N/A 2%

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

North America 40 6 311 169 N/A 140 666
Engage out of contract 75% 83% 80% 67% N/A 70%
Engage player 10% 0% 9% 1% N/A 11%
Engage on loan 15% 17% 7% 21% N/A 16%
Return from loan 0% 0% 4% 11% N/A 3%
South America 209 16 284 1,016 N/A 489 2,014
Engage out of contract 63% 88% 76% 70% N/A 46%
Engage player 9% 6% 5% 3% N/A 19%
Engage on loan 26% 6% 11% 16% N/A 26%
Return from loan 2% 0% 7% 11% N/A 10%
Oceania 8 N/A 3 N/A N/A 5 16
Engage out of contract 100% N/A 100% N/A N/A 100%
Europe 419 188 161 573 N/A 5,202 6,543
Engage out of contract 83% 78% 81% 69% N/A 66%
Engage player 10% 6% 7% 4% N/A 13%
Engage on loan 6% 2% 3% 9% N/A 12%
Return from loan 1% 14% 9% 18% N/A 9%
Grand total 1,608 761 804 1,992 0 6,387 11,552
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 35 shows the transfer types for streams between and within regions. As an example, 82% of transfers within Asia
were conducted as ‘engage out of contract’ transfers. Some of the totals do not add up to 100% because of the
rounding procedures applied.
‘N/A’ refers to cases where zero transfers between or within regions did not allow for further analyses of transfer types.
76

The types of transfers among the most active streams Figure 37 shows that the most ‘engage out of
between countries show diverse profiles. contract’ transfers occurred from Portugal to Brazil,
Engaging players ‘out of contract’ was the dominant with 96 transfers. The reverse stream, from Brazil to
type in the three most active streams, from Portugal Portugal, was the most active in terms of engaging
to Brazil (66%), Scotland to England (47%) and players ‘on loan’.
England to Scotland (59%). Most streams again involve neighbouring countries,
Other streams were primarily based on other transfer although there are some notable exceptions. Portugal to
types. The dominant type in transfers from Brazil to Cyprus was a popular stream for ‘engage out of contract’
Portugal (fourth most active stream), for example, was transfers (42 transfers), while Brazil to Japan ranked
loan agreements (46%). The most common movement highly for ‘engage on loan’ transfers (17 transfers). The
from Slovakia to the Czech Republic (tenth most active reverse stream from Japan to Brazil ranked highly
stream) was classified as ‘return from loan’ (40%). amongst the most frequent ‘return from loan’ transfer
Engaging players from other clubs was less prominently streams (11 transfers).
represented in the top ten streams.

Figure 36: Transfer types in most active streams between countries

Transfer streams Transfers Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract
1 Portugal to Brazil 145 66% 0% 5% 29%
2 Scotland to England 92 47% 17% 5% 30%
3 England to Scotland 92 59% 2% 30% 9%
4 Brazil to Portugal 91 42% 5% 46% 7%
5 Argentina to Chile 84 67% 0% 27% 6%
6 Argentina to Uruguay 73 64% 4% 8% 23%
7 Wales to England 72 51% 13% 21% 15%
8 England to Wales 70 47% 16% 24% 13%
9 Uruguay to Argentina 53 28% 9% 60% 2%
10 Slovakia to Czech Republic 50 36% 8% 16% 40%

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 36 shows the types of transfers in the ten most active transfer streams between countries. Some of the totals
do not add up to 100% because of the rounding procedures applied.
Figure 37: Most active transfer streams between countries for different transfer types 77

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Europe
North America
Asia

Africa

3 Contracts
Engage out of contract
South America
Rank Transfer stream Transfers Oceania
1 Portugal to Brazil 96

2 Player characteristics
2 Argentina to Chile 56
Countries involved in the top-3
transfer streams of each category
3 England to Scotland 54
4 Argentina to Uruguay 47
5 Scotland to England 43
6 Portugal to Cyprus 42

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Figure 37 shows the ten most active transfer streams
per transfer type in 2012. 7 Colombia to Panama 39
8 Brazil to Portugal 38
8 Germany to Turkey 38
10 Wales to England 37

Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan

Rank Transfer stream Transfers Rank Transfer stream Transfers Rank Transfer stream Transfers
1 USA to Canada 17 1 Brazil to Portugal 42 1 Portugal to Brazil 42
2 Scotland to England 16 2 Uruguay to Argentina 32 2 Scotland to England 28
3 Brazil to Italy 13 3 England to Scotland 28 3 Slovakia to Czech Republic 20
3 France to England 13 4 Argentina to Chile 23 4 Argentina to Uruguay 17
5 England to Wales 11 5 Brazil to Japan 17 5 Spain to Italy 16
6 Germany to England 10 5 England to Wales 17 6 Chile to Argentina 15
6 Germany to Turkey 10 7 Italy to Spain 16 7 Spain to England 14
6 Netherlands to Belgium 10 8 Wales to England 15 8 Japan to Brazil 11
9 Netherlands to England 9 9 Czech Republic to Slovakia 14 8 Wales to England 11
9 Wales to England 9 10 Chile to Argentina 13 10 England to Wales 9
10 England to Spain 13 10 Spain to Portugal 9
10 Italy to England 13 Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
78 3.3
Player contract lengths

The average duration of Figure 38 shows that the typical contract signed in
an ‘engage out of contract’ transfer is agreed for a

a contract for a player duration of 1 year and 4 months. The average

contract length agreed in an ‘engage player’ transfer

engaged ‘out of contract’ is considerably longer, with an average of 3 years.

Given that in most cases, the engaging club pays club-to-

is 1 year and 4 months. club compensation for the engagement of players from
another club, the longer average contract length suggests
that clubs are trying to protect their investment.

The average contract length of 10 months for loans

illustrates how loans are typically used to engage
players in the short term, typically for one season.
Figure 38 also shows the average time spent by players
under contract at a club before they move, and indicates
the average time remaining on their contract. There is a
clear difference between the contract lengths of players
who are transferred in ‘engage player’ transfers
compared to those who leave ‘on loan’:

1 year, 6 months
is the average time spent by a player at a former club
before he is engaged on a permanent basis by a new club
(‘engage player’ transfer). His contract, on average, will
have another 1 year and 6 months to run, so his departure
is typically midway through his employment contract
with the former club.

8 months
is the average time spent by a player at a club before
moving ‘on loan’ to a new club. His contract with the
former club, on average, will have another 1 year and 7
months to run.
 79

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 38: New and old contract lengths

New contract start date

2 years 1 year 1 year 2 years 3 years

3 Contracts
Engage out
Average new contract length:
1 year, 4 months
of contract

2 Player characteristics
Average new contract length:
3 years
Engage player
Average length of old contract running Average remaining old contract
until new contract start date: length at new contract start date:

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

1 year, 6 months 1 year, 6 months

Average new contract length:

10 months
Engage on loan
Average length of old contract running Average remaining old contract
until new contract start date: length at new contract start date:
8 months 1 year, 7 months

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 38 shows information on the average contract lengths agreed for players
transferred in ‘engage out of contract’ transfers, ‘engage player’ transfers and
‘engage on loan’ transfers. For ‘engage player’ transfers and ‘engage on loan’
transfers, the average remaining old contract lengths at the new contract start date
are given. For ‘engage player’ transfers and ‘engage on loan’ transfers, the figure also
shows the average durations that the players’ old contracts were running until the
start of their new respective contract (the new contract being either a permanent
contract or a loan contract). This analysis of player contract lengths is based on all
international transfers entered in TMS for which start and end dates of the current
and previous employment contracts were available.
80

Figure 39 focuses on ‘engage out of contract’ transfers Figure 39: Durations of player
only and examines the time players are ‘out of contract’ unemployment before
before signing an employment contract with a new club: ‘engage out of contract’ transfers

15%
6%
of players signed new employment contracts on the same 19%
day or the day after their previous contract ended.

Players engaged out of contract

25%

An additional 16%
of players signed new employment contracts within two
19%
weeks of their previous contract ending.

16%
A total of 50%
of players had to wait for more than 40 days before their 15%
100%

new contract started, and

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
up up up up up mo
6% to t
1 d o 14
to
40
to
10
to
1y
re
th
an
ay da da 0 da ea
ys ys ys r 1y
of players were without a running employment contract e ar

for more than a year before signing a new contract. Days of player unemployment

Figure 39 shows the extent of player unemployment

in the international transfer market by reporting the
percentage of players ‘engaged out of contract’ by the
length of time since their previous contract elapsed.
This analysis is based on all international transfers
entered in TMS as an ‘out of contract’ transfer for
which start and end dates of the current and previous
employment contracts were available.
82 3.4
Case study:
A unique relationship

Japan’s football past Brazilian players were heavily represented in the first
wave of foreign players and coaches to work in Japan

explains its present. when its [Link] was launched 19 years ago, and the
relationship is still strong today. After Portugal, Brazil
reported the most outgoing player movements in 2012 to
Japan: 6% of Brazil’s total outgoing transfers (41
players). Of those 41 transfers, 53% (21 transfers) were
players ‘out of contract’, while 40% (17 transfers) were
loans. This is a notably high proportion, and was the fifth
most active stream in terms of loans in 2012 from a
global perspective – although the top-ranking stream
between two countries who speak different languages.

“At national level, we have a very close and friendly

relationship with Brazil. Our good diplomatic relationship
has continued for more than 100 years,” explained
Michihiro Tanaka, General Secretary of the Japan Football
Association18.

There are also football-related reasons too, such as the

success of former Brazil stars such as Zico, Carlos Dunga
and Cesar Sampaio, who worked in Japan and maintained
ties to their former clubs long after leaving. This created
a positive view of Brazilians and provided young Japanese
players with strong exposure to Brazilian players, helping
them to ‘fit in’ to a team. Brazil’s large Japanese ethnic
community, and the migration of Brazilians to Japan, also
eases potential language issues. Most [Link] clubs now
have at least one Portuguese speaker on their staff. These
factors of network and compatibility are crucial to the
continuing transfer stream between the countries.

18 Interview conducted with FIFA TMS on 19 December 2012

 83

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
The issue for Japanese clubs is that the Brazilian market Japan
is more attractive than it has ever been and so it has
become harder to find value in signing Brazilians. Couple
this with the wave of Japanese players proving their
quality in some of Europe’s top leagues, and there is a
clear challenge for the Japanese association.

3 Contracts
“In order to continue to make the [Link] attractive to
the fans, and to maintain the quality of the [Link], we
need to promote the young players’ football environment

2 Player characteristics
to produce more attractive young players and to
encourage our clubs to engage talented foreign players,”
said Tanaka.

In 2012, a total of 55 Japanese players moved out of their

home country. The Japanese diaspora is having a positive

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

effect on its national teams. The U-23 side that reached
the 2012 London Olympics semi-final had five players
employed outside Japan, while the national team, on the
verge of becoming the first Asian side to qualify for the
2014 FIFA World Cup™, fielded ten foreign-based players
in its final FIFA World Cup™ qualifying match of 2012, a
2-1 win against Oman.

“Many Japanese players want to play abroad and those

that do can improve on a technical and mental level
through the experience of high-level European football,”
Tanaka explained. “The players can bring back benefits
such as new training methodologies and these tangible
and intangible benefits must strengthen the future of
Japanese football.”
 4
85

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Club-to-club transfer
compensation

3 Contracts
Overall spend and distribution
into types of compensation 4.1

2 Player characteristics
Spenders and recipients 4.2

Payment streams 4.3

Spend by remaining contract length

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

and open registration periods 4.4
Case study: Euro millions 4.5

The following sections examine transfer-related

club-to-club compensation. These analyses build on the
financial information that clubs are required to enter
in TMS when conducting international transfers.
They also refer to the payments agreed between clubs
at the time of a transfer closure.

Four different types of club-to-club transfer

compensation are recorded in TMS:
fixed transfer compensation
conditional transfer compensation
solidarity contribution
training compensation
4.1 87

6 Intermediaries
Overall spend and
distribution into types of
compensation

5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
14% of all transfers
involved club-to-club
compensation, with the
average compensation

3 Contracts
per transfer coming

2 Player characteristics
in at USD 1.6 million.
This was slightly lower
than 2011’s average of

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

USD 1.8 million.
88

Of the 11,552 international transfers reported The average club-to-club compensation was USD 1.6
during 2012, 14% (1,584 transfers) involved club-to- million per transfer, 11% lower than in 2011 (USD
club compensation. 1.8 million).
These numbers are in line with the 2011 figures (1,570 A small number of big-money transfers skewed this
transfers). average upwards. The 2012 median transfer compensation
Total club-to-club compensation was down 10% was USD 280,00020.
year-on-year, coming in at USD 2.53 billion in 2012,
USD 290 million less than in 201119.

Figure 40: Total club-to-club compensation

Figure 40 gives an overview of the total club-to-club

2.82
-10%
compensation involved in international transfers. The
total club-to-club compensation includes: (a) fixed
transfer compensation, (b) conditional transfer
- 290 million compensation, (c) solidarity contribution, and (d)
training compensation (as the ‘types of club-to-club
compensation’). All amounts are given in US dollars.

2.53
billion

billion

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20
11 12

19 Global Transfer Market 2011 reported an inflated view of club-to-club compensation based on data incorrectly entered by clubs in TMS. This has
now been corrected and Global Transfer Market 2013 presents the new and adjusted numbers.
20 The median represents the numerical value separating the upper half from the lower half of the sample.
 89

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
A breakdown of the total club-to-club compensation
declared in 2012 reveals that the bulk of
compensation payments are covered by fixed
transfer compensation.

3 Contracts
2 Player characteristics
Figure 41: Types of club-to-club compensation

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

1% Figure 41 breaks the total club-to-club transfer
compensation down into its four components, and
provides the percentage distribution as well as absolute
1% numbers of 2012’s spending. All amounts are given in
US dollars.

11%
Fixed transfer compensation
USD 2.19 billion

Conditional transfer compensation

USD 292 million

Solidarity contribution

87%
USD 29 million

Training compensation
USD 18 million

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

4.1.1 91

6 Intermediaries
Fixed transfer
compensation

5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Fixed transfer The total amount of fixed transfer compensation
decreased by 11% (USD 272 million) in comparison

compen­sation to 2011.
As fixed transfer compensation is the most dominant

payments agreed part of overall club-to-club compensation, this decrease

explains the vast majority of the decrease in overall club-

between clubs were to-club compensation in the international transfer market.

3 Contracts
down 11% on 2011

2 Player characteristics
figures, reflecting a
spen­ding decrease of
USD 272 million. Figure 42: Fixed transfer compensation

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

2,462
-11% - 272 million

Figure 42 shows the total amount and change in fixed

transfer compensation involved in international
transfers. All amounts are given in US dollars. 2,190
million

million

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20
11 12
92 4.1.2
Conditional transfer
compensation

Conditional transfer Clubs may agree on compensation payments that are

dependent on the fulfilment of certain conditions: for

compensation payments example, that a transferred player makes a specified

number of first-team appearances over the course of a

decreased by 5% season, or scores a specific number of goals for his new

club.

(USD 15 million) The total amount of conditional transfer

compared to 2011. compensation agreed for international transfers

decreased by 5% (USD 15 million) in comparison to
2011.
The downward trend for fixed transfer compensation
(-11%) was much stronger than for conditional transfer
compensation (-5%). In fact, as a proportion of total
Figure 43: Conditional transfer club-to-club compensation, conditional transfer
compensation compensation made up 12% in 2012, a 1% increase
compared to the 2011 figure. This suggests that clubs are
changing from paying fixed fees to linking payments to
performance indicators in order to maximise the
‘sporting value of money’.
307
-5% - 15 million

Figure 43 shows the total amount and change agreed

292 in conditional transfer compensation involved in

international transfers. All amounts are given in US
dollars.
million

million

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20
11 12
4.1.3 93

6 Intermediaries
Solidarity
contribution

5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
According to FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer
of Players, if a professional player moves before the
Solidarity contribution
expiry of his contract, 5% of any compensation (not
including training compensation) paid to his former club
declared for 2012
shall be distributed between the clubs that contributed
to his education and training21.
international transfers
decreased by 19%

3 Contracts
The total amount of solidarity contribution declared
for international transfers decreased by 19% (USD 7
million) in comparison to 2011.
(USD 7 million).

2 Player characteristics
This downward trend was mainly driven by the decrease
in fixed and conditional transfer compensation, as
solidarity contribution is calculated as a proportion of
fixed and conditional transfer compensation payments.

Figure 44: Solidarity contribution

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

36
-19% - 7 million

Figure 44 shows the total amount and change declared

in solidarity contribution involved in international
transfers. All amounts are given in US dollars. 29
million

million

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20
11 12
21 FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012,
Annexe 5
94 4.1.4
Training
compensation

Training compensation According to FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer

of Players, training compensation shall be paid to the

declared for 2012’s player’s training club(s): (1) when a player signs his first
contract as a professional, and (2) each time a

international transfers professional is transferred until the end of the season of

his 23rd birthday22.

increased by 13% The total amount of training compensation declared

for international transfers in 2012 increased by 13%

(USD 2 million). (USD 2 million) in comparison to 2011.

Figure 45: Training compensation

+2 million +13% 18

Figure 45 shows the total amount and change declared

16 in training compensation involved in international

transfers. All amounts are given in US dollars.
million

million

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20
11 12
22 FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012,
Annexe 4
96 4.2
Spenders and
recipients

E nglish clubs were 2012’s Figure 46 and Figure 47 identify the market’s biggest
spenders and recipients in terms of fixed and conditional

biggest spenders, while transfer compensation, the two types of club-to-club

compensation that made up the bulk of the overall

Brazilian clubs generated financial compensation in the transfer market.

These numbers show that English clubs were the

the highest net receipts23. biggest spenders in both fixed and conditional
transfer compensation. Russian and French clubs

The top ten spending were next in spending

compensation, with Italian and German clubs
on fixed transfer

countries accounted for ranking second and third in spending on conditional

transfer compensation.

82% (USD 1.79 billion)

of the total market in
terms of fixed transfer
compensation.

23 Net receipts and net spend are calculated as the total of a country’s receipts of fixed transfer compensation minus the total of that country’s spend
on fixed transfer compensation. For net receipts, total receipts exceed total spend, and for net spend, total spend exceeds total receipts.
 97

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
This analysis further highlights the fact that some of the Italian clubs were the top recipients of fixed transfer
market’s biggest spenders exhibited diverse profiles in compensation, while Portuguese clubs received
terms of the relationship between conditional and fixed most in conditional transfer compensation.
transfer compensation spend. For example:

English clubs
agreed to an average of 10% conditional on fixed

3 Contracts
compensation,
German clubs 
agreed to an average of 21% conditional compensation,

2 Player characteristics
and
Italian clubs 
agreed to an average of 30% conditional compensation.

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Figure 46: Biggest spenders of fixed and Figure 47: Biggest recipients of fixed and
conditional transfer compensation conditional transfer compensation

Fixed transfer Conditional transfer Fixed transfer Conditional transfer

compensation spend compensation spend compensation receipt compensation receipt
England 517 million England 53 million Italy 247 million Portugal 36 million
Russia 288 million Italy 48 million England 203 million France 27 million
France 205 million Germany 39 million Brazil 200 million England 24 million
Germany 182 million Spain 36 million Spain 186 million Italy 22 million
Italy 157 million France 15 million Portugal 181 million Germany 20 million

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012 Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 46 lists the biggest spending countries of fixed Figure 47 lists the biggest receiving countries of fixed
transfer compensation and conditional transfer transfer compensation and conditional transfer
compensation. All amounts are given in US dollars. compensation. All amounts are given in US dollars.
98

Figure 48: Fixed transfer compensation spenders pyramid

Annual spend per country –

segment thresholds
Overall market size: USD 2.19 billion fixed transfer compensation
USD 517 million
Top Top cover
segment
10
spenders
82%
of the total market size
= USD 1.79 billion

USD 50 million
Middle Middle cover
segment
11 13% = USD 0.30 billion
spenders of the total market size

USD 10 million
Bottom Bottom cover
segment

65spenders
5% = USD 0.10 billion
of the total market size

0
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
 99

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Fixed transfer compensation spenders
Top Middle Bottom
Brazil Argentina Algeria Czech Republic Ireland Romania
England Austria Angola Denmark Israel Rwanda
France Belgium Armenia Ecuador Japan Scotland
Germany China PR Australia Egypt Kazakhstan Serbia
Italy Mexico Azerbaijan Ethiopia Korea Republic Slovakia

3 Contracts
Portugal Netherlands Bahrain Finland Kuwait South Africa
Russia Qatar Belarus Georgia Kyrgyzstan Sweden
Spain Saudi Arabia Bolivia Ghana Latvia Tanzania

2 Player characteristics
Turkey Switzerland Bulgaria Greece Luxembourg Thailand
Ukraine United Arab Emirates Canada Guatemala Malaysia Tunisia
Wales Chile Honduras Moldova Uruguay
Colombia Hong Kong Montenegro USA
Congo DR Hungary Morocco Uzbekistan
Costa Rica Iceland Norway Venezuela

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Côte d'Ivoire India Oman
Croatia Iran Paraguay
Cyprus Iraq Poland
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 48 to Figure 50 focus on fixed transfer 13% (USD 300 million) of the total market size was spent
compensation payments only. by the market’s middle spend segment, a group of
11 countries which includes the Netherlands, Austria,
82% (USD 1.79 billion) of the total market size (USD Mexico, the UAE, Qatar, Switzerland and China PR.
2.19 billion) was spent by the top ten biggest
spending countries in 2012. Those were Brazil, The remaining 5% (USD 100 million) was spent by the
England, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Russia, market’s bottom spend segment, a diverse group
Spain, Turkey and Ukraine. consisting of 65 countries.
Accordingly, significant market concentration was
apparent from the market’s spend side.

Figure 48 divides the overall market in terms of fixed

transfer compensation from a spender’s perspective. All
amounts are given in US dollars.
 100

Figure 49: Fixed transfer compensation recipients pyramid

Annual receipts per country –

segment thresholds
Overall market size: USD 2.19 billion fixed transfer compensation
USD 247 million
Top Top cover
segment
15
recipients
81% = USD 1.78 billion
of the total market size

USD 30 million
Middle Middle cover
segment
17 13% = USD 0.28 billion
recipients of the total market size

USD 10 million
Bottom Bottom cover
segment

73recipients
6% = USD 0.13 billion
of the total market size

0
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
 101

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Fixed transfer compensation recipients
Top Middle Bottom
Argentina Colombia Algeria Ecuador Korea Republic Sierra Leone
Belgium Croatia Armenia Egypt Latvia Slovakia
Brazil Czech Republic Australia El Salvador Libanon Slovenia
Chile Denmark Austria Estonia Liberia South Africa
England Greece Belarus Faroe Islands Lithuania Sudan
France Japan Benin Finland Luxembourg Thailand

3 Contracts
Germany Mexico Bolivia Gabon Macedonia Togo
Italy Norway Bosnia-Herzegovina Gambia Mali Trinidad and Tobago
Netherlands Paraguay Botswana Georgia Moldova Tunisia

2 Player characteristics
Portugal Poland Bulgaria Ghana Montenegro Uganda
Russia Romania Burkina Faso Honduras Morocco United Arab Emirates
Spain Saudi Arabia Burundi Hungary Niger USA
Switzerland Scotland Cameroon Iceland Nigeria Uzbekistan
Uruguay Serbia Canada Iran Northern Ireland Venezuela
Wales Sweden China PR Ireland Oman Zambia

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Turkey Congo DR Israel Panama Zimbabwe
Ukraine Costa Rica Jamaica Peru
Côte d'Ivoire Jordan Rwanda
Cyprus Kenya Senegal
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

A similar pattern of market concentration is also 13% (USD 280 million) of the total market size was
apparent from the recipients of fixed transfer received by the market’s middle receipts segment, a
compensation: group of 17 countries, including Denmark, Paraguay,
Sweden, Poland and Colombia.
81% (USD 1.78 billion) of the total market size was
received by the top 15 biggest-receiving countries in 6% (USD 130 million) of the total market size was
2012, a segment which includes the Netherlands, received by the market’s bottom receipts segment, a
Belgium, Switzerland, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, group of 73 countries.
Wales and Russia.

Figure 49 divides the overall market in terms of fixed

transfer compensation from a recipient’s perspective.
Individual country names have been removed from the
figure because of countries not having signed a data
release declaration. All amounts are given in US dollars.
102 Figure 50: Net recipients and net spenders of fixed transfer compensation

Europe
North America
Asia

Africa

South America
Oceania

Top-3 countries with the highest net

receipts of fixed transfer compensation

Top-3 countries with the highest net

spend of fixed transfer compensation

Figure 50 shows that Brazilian clubs, aggregated at a country level,

generated the highest net receipts from their international transfer
activities. The net receipts generated by Brazilian clubs far exceeded that of
the follow-up clubs from Portugal, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. English
clubs, in contrast, were the biggest net spenders of fixed transfer
compensation.

Net recipients Net spenders Figure 50 identifies the countries with the highest net
Brazil 121 million England 314 million receipts and net spend of fixed transfer compensation.
Net receipts and net spend are calculated as the total
Portugal 103 million Russia 256 million of a country’s receipts of fixed transfer compensation
Italy 91 million Turkey 78 million minus the total of that country’s spend on fixed
transfer compensation. For net receipts, total receipts
Netherlands 86 million China PR 49 million exceed total spend, and for net spend, total spend
exceeds total receipts.
Spain 50 million Germany 43 million
Uruguay 50 million Ukraine 37 million
Switzerland 40 million France 30 million
Chile 38 million Austria 13 million
Belgium 35 million United Arab Emirates 12 million
Argentina 30 million Wales 10 million
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
104 4.3
Payment streams

 2% of European
8 European clubs were dominant in terms of fixed
transfer compensation, accounting for 86% (USD

clubs’ fixed transfer 1.890 billion) of the total market spending.

71% of the market’s total fixed transfer compensation

compen­sation spending (USD 1.547 billion) remained within European borders.

As such, 82% of European clubs’ fixed transfer

(USD 1.9 billion) compensation spend (USD 1.547 billion out of USD 1.890
billion) remained within the region.

remained within Europe. Asian clubs were second in terms of fixed transfer
compensation spend, with 6% (USD 141 million) of
the total market. South American clubs were third
with a market coverage of 5% (USD 119 million).
 105

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 51: Fixed transfer compensation money flows
between and within regions

To Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe Grand total

From America America
Asia 19 million 6 million 1 million 48 million N/A 67 million 141 million

3 Contracts
Africa N/A 8 million N/A N/A N/A 1 million 10 million
North America N/A N/A 3 million 16 million N/A 12 million 31 million
South America 17 million N/A 5 million 42 million N/A 55 million 119 million

2 Player characteristics
Oceania N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Europe 16 million 15 million 24 million 287 million N/A 1.547 billion 1.890 billion
Grand total 52 million 29 million 34 million 393 million N/A 1.682 billion 2.190 billion
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Figure 52: Market coverage of fixed transfer compensation
money flows between and within regions

To Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe Grand total

From America America
Asia 0.9% 0.3% 0.1% 2.2% N/A 3.1% 6.4%
Africa N/A 0.4% N/A N/A N/A 0.1% 0.4%
North America N/A N/A 0.1% 0.7% N/A 0.6% 1.4%
South America 0.8% N/A 0.2% 1.9% N/A 2.5% 5.4%
Oceania N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Europe 0.7% 0.7% 1.1% 13.1% N/A 70.6% 86.3%
Grand total 2.4% 1.3% 1.5% 17.9% N/A 76.8% 100.0%
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 51 provides the fixed transfer compensation flows between and within regions. Figure 52 provides the proportions of the overall market size in terms of fixed transfer
Listed are money flows that correspond to player movements in the opposite direction. compensation that is covered by money flows between and within regions. It lists
As an example, USD 16 million of fixed transfer compensation flowing from Europe to money flows that correspond with player movements in the opposite direction. As an
Asia corresponds with player movements from Asia to Europe. ‘N/A’ refers to cases example, 13.1% of the overall market volume in fixed transfer compensation is covered
where zero transfers between or within regions did not allow for the identification of by money flows from Europe to South America and corresponds with player movements
fixed transfer compensation money flows, or where money flows between or within from South America to Europe. ‘N/A’ refers to cases where zero transfers between or
regions that are based on single player transfers have been excluded from the scope to within regions did not allow for the identification of fixed transfer compensation money
comply with data protection rules. All amounts are given in US dollars. flows, or where money flows between or within regions that are based on single player
transfers have been excluded from the scope to comply with data protection rules. All
amounts are given in US dollars.
106

Compared to 2011, European clubs reduced their The transfer market’s highest average agreed
spend on fixed transfer compensation by 13% while transfer compensation in 2012 concerned player
Asian clubs reduced their spend by 8%. North transfers from Portugal to Russia. French clubs paid
American clubs more than doubled their spend on their Italian counterparts more than anyone else in
fixed transfer compensation, while South American terms of total spend on fixed transfer compensation.
clubs increased their spend by 14%.

Figure 53: Change in fixed transfer compensation money

flows between and within regions

To Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe Grand total

From America America
Asia -32% +135% +111% +9% N/A -14% -8%
Africa N/A +26% N/A N/A N/A +3% +24%
North America N/A N/A +159% +71% N/A +180% +105%
South America +757% N/A +30% +6% N/A -6% +14%
Oceania N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Europe +74% -10% +155% -9% N/A -15% -13%
Grand total +32% +12% +119% -4% N/A -15% -11%
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 53 provides the percentage change in fixed transfer compensation money flows
between and within regions in comparison to 2011 numbers. It lists money flows that
correspond to player movements in the opposite direction. As an example, the 10%
decrease in the money flow from Europe to Africa corresponds with player movements
from Africa to Europe. ‘N/A’ refers to cases where zero transfers between or within
regions did not allow for the identification of fixed transfer compensation money flows,
or where money flows between or within regions that are based on single player
transfers have been excluded from the scope to comply with data protection rules.
Figure 54: Highest fixed transfer compen­sation
money flows between countries 107

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Europe

North America
Asia

Africa

3 Contracts
South America
Oceania

2 Player characteristics
Countries listed in chart below

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Highest total fixed transfer compensation money flows Highest average fixed transfer compensation money flows
Money Total fixed transfer Money Average fixed transfer
flow compensation spend flow compensation spend
1 France to Italy 130 million 1 Russia to Portugal 34 million
2 England to France 111 million 2 France to Italy 16 million
3 Russia to Portugal 101 million 3 England to Italy 13 million
4 England to Germany 80 million 4 Russia to England 9 million
5 England to Italy 76 million 5 Russia to Spain 9 million
6 Spain to England 71 million 6 England to France 8 million
7 Russia to England 45 million 7 Brazil to Russia 7 million
8 England to Netherlands 41 million 8 Brazil to Germany 6 million
9 Germany to Switzerland 39 million 9 China PR to Germany 6 million
10 England to Spain 39 million 10 Russia to Brazil 6 million
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 54 lists the highest fixed transfer compensation money flows between countries, both in terms of total fixed transfer compensation and per transfer average of fixed
transfer compensation. It lists money flows that correspond to player movements in the opposite direction. As an example, the total fixed transfer compensation money flow from
France to Italy corresponds with player movements from Italy to France. Fixed transfer compensation money flows that are based on single player transfers have been removed
from the scope to comply with data protection rules. All amounts are given in US dollars.
 109

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Clubs from 57% of FIFA member associations (119
associations) were involved in transfers with fixed
transfer compensation agreed between clubs.
Figure 55 shows the 2012 market’s fixed transfer
compensation money flows from a spender’s and a
recipient’s perspective, along three segments:

3 Contracts
82% (USD 1.79 billion) of the total market size was
spent by the top ten biggest spending countries in
2012.

2 Player characteristics
This top market segment also accounted for 64% (USD
1.40 billion) from a recipient’s perspective.

12% (USD 267 million) of the total market size was spent
by the market’s middle segment, a group of 36 countries,
which also accounted for receipts of 30% (USD 656

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

million) of the total market.

6% (USD 138 million) of the total market size was

received by the market’s bottom segment, a group of 73
countries that also accounted for 6% (USD 134 million)
from a spender’s perspective.

The money flows emerging between and within

these segments reveal that the majority of the top
segment’s spend remains within that group of big
spenders, with 55% of the overall market size (USD
1.207 billion) moving within that segment.
USD 511 million flowed to the 36 countries in the middle
segment. USD 70 million flowed to the bottom segment.
110

Figure 55: Pyramid of fixed transfer compensation money flows

Top segment Top-10 spenders cover:

Spend
Overall market size: 1.79 billion

82% of total market

55% of total market
1.207 billion
511 million

70 million

2.19 billion Receipts

Fixed transfer compensation 1.40 billion

64% of total market

Middle segment Middle-36 segment covers:

Spend
126 million

267 million

12% of total market

5% of total market
102 million

Receipts
40 million

656 million

30% of total market

Bottom segment Bottom-73 recipients cover:

Spend
134 million
44 million

63 million

6% of total
Bottom segment
market
1% of total market
28 million

Receipts
138 million

6% of total market

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

 111

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Fixed transfer compensation spenders and recipients
Top Middle Bottom
Brazil Angola Kyrgyzstan Algeria Ecuador Korea Republic Sierra Leone
England Argentina Malaysia Armenia Egypt Latvia Slovakia
France Azerbaijan Mexico Australia El Salvador Lebanon Slovenia
Germany Bahrain Netherlands Austria Estonia Liberia South Africa
Italy Belgium Norway Belarus Faroe Islands Lithuania Sudan

3 Contracts
Portugal Chile Paraguay Benin Finland Luxembourg Thailand
Russia Colombia Poland Bolivia Gabon Macedonia Togo
Spain Croatia Qatar Bosnia-Herzegovina Gambia Mali Trinidad and Tobago

2 Player characteristics
Turkey Czech Republic Romania Botswana Georgia Moldova Tunisia
Ukraine Denmark Saudi Arabia Bulgaria Ghana Montenegro Uganda
Ethiopia Scotland Burkina Faso Honduras Morocco United Arab Emirates
Greece Serbia Burundi Hungary Niger USA
Guatemala Sweden Cameroon Iceland Nigeria Uzbekistan
Hong Kong Switzerland Canada Iran Northern Ireland Venezuela

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

India Tanzania China PR Ireland Oman Zambia
Iraq Uruguay Congo DR Israel Panama Zimbabwe
Japan Wales Costa Rica Jamaica Peru
Kazakhstan Côte d'Ivoire Jordan Rwanda
Kuwait Cyprus Kenya Senegal
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 55 divides the overall market in terms of fixed transfer compensation from both a spender’s and recipient’s perspective, along three segments. The top segment is identified
from a from a spender’s perspective, including the top ten biggest spenders accounting for 82% of overall spend. The bottom segment is identified from a recipient’s perspective,
including those bottom 73 receiving countries that receive the smallest incomes from fixed transfer compensation (but not USD 0), and that add up to a total of 6% market share on
the receiving side. The middle segment consists of those 36 countries that are involved in the transfer market as either spenders or receivers, but do not belong to the top or bottom
segments. The figure identifies the fixed transfer compensation money flows between these three segments. The analysis excludes countries whose clubs have neither fixed transfer
compensation receipts nor spend. Individual country names have been removed from the figure because of countries not having signed a data release declaration. All amounts are
provided in US dollars.
112 4.4
Spend by remaining
contract length and open
registration periods

For ‘engage player’ Figure 56 and Figure 57 illustrate the average fixed
transfer compensation for ‘engage player’ transfers and

transfers, the average ‘engage on loan’ transfers.

For ‘engage player’ transfers, average fixed transfer

fixed transfer compensation increased with the remaining length

of transferred players’ contracts with their former

compen­sation clubs.
Figure 56 thus supports the market perception that

increases with the engaging clubs need to pay high sums of transfer
compensation to release players from existing contracts.

remaining length These compensation payments decrease the closer the

expiry date of existing contracts gets as the player’s

of transferred players’ former club loses negotiating power.

contracts with their For ‘engage on loan’ transfers, Figure 57 suggests

that fixed transfer compensation payments are

former clubs. much lower than for ‘engage player’ transfers. The
average fixed transfer compensation was lowest
with a remaining contract duration of 1 year to 1.5
years.
For remaining contract durations of up to 1 year, as well
as those of 1.5 years and beyond, fixed transfer
compensation was, on average, higher.
 113

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 56: Average fixed transfer Figure 57: Average fixed transfer
compensation in ‘engage player’ transfers compensation in ‘engage on loan’
by remaining old contract length transfers by remaining old contract length

4.44

3 Contracts
3.08

2 Player characteristics
1.34
1.24
million

million

0.72
0.30
0.23
0.15 0.14 0.18

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

0- 0.5 1- 1.5 >2 0- 0.5 1- 1.5 >2
0.5 -1 1.5 -2 ye 0.5 -1 1.5 -2 ye
ye ye ye ars ye ye ye ars
ars ars ars year ars ars ars year
s s

Remaining old contract length Remaining old contract length

Source for figures 56 – 57: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 56 shows the average fixed transfer Figure 57 shows the average fixed transfer
compensation by remaining length of players’ contract compensation by remaining length of players’ contracts
with their former clubs, and includes ‘engage player’ with their former clubs, and includes ‘engage on loan’
transfers only. All amounts are given in US dollars. transfers only. All amounts are given in US dollars.
114

Figure 58 and Figure 59 show the average fixed transfer One market perception is that fixed transfer
compensations grouped by week before the end of 2012 compensation increases as the end of an open
between-season and within-season transfer windows. registration period approaches, because engaging
This analysis includes ‘engage player’ transfers and clubs lose negotiating power under time pressure.
‘engage on loan’ transfers into England, Germany, Italy, The actions in the 2012 between-season and within-
France, Russia and Spain. Together, these six countries season registration periods in England, Germany,
accounted for 68% of the overall market spend on fixed Italy, France, Russia and Spain, do not support this,
transfer compensation in 2012. however.
 115

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 58: Average fixed transfer Figure 59: Average fixed transfer
compensation during the final weeks of compensation during the final weeks of
between-season registration periods within-season registration periods

4.38

3.85

3 Contracts
3.38 3.41
3.24
2.96

2.41

2 Player characteristics
2.09 2.08 1.94
1.63
1.28
million

million

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

8 th 7 th 6 th 5 th 4 th 3 rd 2 nd las 4 th 3 rd 2 nd las
las las las las las las l t las las l t
tw tw tw tw tw t w ast w wee tw t w ast w wee
ee ee ee ee ee ee ee k ee ee ee k
k k k k k k k k k k

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012 Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 58 shows the average fixed transfer compensation Figure 59 shows the average fixed transfer compensation
by the remaining weeks of open between-season by the remaining weeks of open within-season
registration period for ‘engage player’ and ‘engage on registration period for ‘engage player’ and ‘engage on
loan’ transfers. This analysis includes all incoming loan’ transfers. This analysis includes all incoming
transfers into England, Germany, Italy, France, Russia and transfers into England, Germany, Italy, France, Russia and
Spain. All amounts are given in US dollars. Per association, Spain. All amounts are given in US dollars. Per association,
there can only be two registration periods per season. there can only be two registration periods per season.
The first period shall begin after the completion of the The first period shall begin after the completion of the
season and shall normally end before the new season season and shall normally end before the new season
starts. This registration period, here labelled ‘between- starts. This registration period, here labelled ‘between-
season registration period’, is in most parts of the world season registration period’, is in most parts of the world
referred to as ‘summer transfer window’. The second referred to as ‘summer transfer window’. The second
period shall normally occur in the middle of the season. period shall normally occur in the middle of the season.
This second registration period, here labelled ‘within- This second registration period, here labelled ‘within-
season registration period’, is in most parts of the world season registration period’, is in most parts of the world
referred to as ‘winter transfer window’. (See also: FIFA, referred to as ‘winter transfer window’. (See also: FIFA,
Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich,
27 September 2012, art. 6) 27 September 2012, art. 6)
116 4.5
Case study:
Euro millions

A new wave hits France’s spend on transfers, in terms of overall club-to-

club compensation, has increased by over 40% compared

French football. to the previous year. In 2011, French clubs’ total transfer
compensation spend was USD 161 million, placing
France in sixth position in a list of the international
transfer market’s biggest spenders. In 2012 it was USD
229 million, taking it into third position and behind only
Russia (USD 288 million) and England (USD 517 million).

Figure 60: French club-to-club compensation spend

Types of club-to-club compensation 2011 2012 Change

Fixed transfer compensation 130 million 205 million + 58%
Conditional transfer compensation 25 million 15 million - 40%
Solidarity contribution 6 million 8 million + 33%
Training compensation 0.1 million 0.6 million + 600%
Overall club-to-club compensation 161 million 229 million + 42%
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 60 provides the details on French clubs’ spend

on club-to-club compensation involved in international
transfers in 2011 and 2012. All amounts are given in US
dollars.
 117

6 Intermediaries
France

5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
The main reason for this is the recent investment from “It would be positive if the transfer spend was received
foreign owners who are looking to build successful by other French clubs, to help them overcome financial
squads. This means the 42% increase is not fully difficulties,” Cazali added. “But for now, the investments
representative of professional French football clubs. are mainly directed to Brazil and Italy.” The most popular
Over 80% of the international transfer spend by French stream in terms of fixed transfer compensation was from
clubs in 2012 was limited to a minority of clubs. “The France to Italy, which might reflect the appointment of
aggregate transfer spending of many clubs mainly Italian coaches by major teams in France.

3 Contracts
decreased in 2012,” explained Sébastien Cazali, Head of
Finance for the French Professional League (LFP)24. The next question is whether more clubs will follow the
path to investment, spend and the dream of European

2 Player characteristics
“The other clubs are impacted by the financial crisis and success, or follow the model of recent previous Ligue 1
do not have a wealthy shareholder willing to spend his winners by developing home-grown players.
own money without limit […]. They mainly try to get rid
of their biggest salaries, to save some money and get “The investment has helped French football retain and
through the global economic crisis without major attract some of the best players in Europe, giving our
financial damage.” competition far more visibility and it has allowed us to

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

be more competitive in selling TV rights overseas,” Cazali
Of the French clubs’ ten most expensive international explained. “France’s UEFA ranking should also benefit
transfers in 2012, nine originated from clubs with foreign and it could attract other investors from around the
owners, a pattern that is reflected throughout Europe. Of world to French football. But long term, we hope other
the 15 most expensive global international transfers in clubs become financially stronger so there is no lack of
2012, ten originated from clubs with foreign owners. suspense in the domestic championship.”

24 Interview conducted with FIFA TMS on 31 December 2012

 5
119

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Salaries

3 Contracts
Average salaries – overview 5.1

Salaries by category 5.2

2 Player characteristics
Case study: Money matters 5.3

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Engaging clubs are required to disclose contractual
information to TMS in order to fulfil the conditions of an
international transfer to receive an ITC. Amongst these
details, clubs provide salary information that allows an
in-depth analysis of salary levels paid to internationally
transferred players in 2012.

The analyses presented in the following sections are

based on employment contract details of all incoming
transfers into Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, Italy
and Portugal. Together, these six most active countries
accounted for 20% (2,343 transfers) of 2012’s overall
transfer market activity.

The average salaries provided in this chapter refer to

players’ annual fixed salaries only, and exclude variable
components based on the performance of either the
player or the club.
120 5.1
Average salaries –
overview

There is a clear difference Based on an analysis of incoming transfers into the

six most active countries, the average salaries paid to

between the salary incoming players differ substantially.

Italian clubs paid the highest salaries, with an average

levels of internationally annual fixed salary of USD 720,000. In contrast,

Argentinian clubs’ average fixed salaries were much

transferred players in lower, coming in at USD 40,000. In all other countries in

the sample, average salaries were skewed upwards by a

the most active European small number of players earning very high salaries, as
indicated by the much lower median salaries compared

and South American to average salaries25.

countries. Of the selected countries, there is a clear difference

between the average salary levels in European
countries (Italy, England, Germany and Portugal)
and South American countries (Brazil and Argentina).
Within the group from Europe, Italy (USD 720,000) and
England (USD 680,000) paid significantly higher salaries
Figure 61: Average salaries for than Germany (USD 390,000) and Portugal (USD
players transferred into the six 240,000).
most active countries

720
680

Figure 61 displays the averages and medians of the

annual fixed salaries paid to players transferred
390 internationally into the six most active countries in terms
of incoming transfers in 2012. All amounts are given in
296 US dollars.
240
thousand

Median
112
80 90
59 Average
40
23
6

Ar Br En Ge Ita Po
ge az gla rm ly rtu Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
nt il nd an ga
ina y l
25 The median represents the numerical value separating the upper half from the
lower half of a sample.
122 5.2
Salaries by category

 idfielders were the

M Figure 62 shows that average salaries may dramatically
differ within engaging clubs’ countries depending on the

highest-paid and region of origin of a player transfer. Taking as an example

players moving into England: their average salaries when

forwards the lowest-paid coming from clubs in Oceania (USD 40,000), Asia (USD
100,000) or Africa (USD 145,000) were well below the

of players transferred into levels of those players coming from North American
(USD 630,000), European (USD 710,000), or South

the six most active American clubs (USD 1,850,000).

countries. Player salaries increase for players until they reach

the age of 27, followed by a temporary drop for
players aged 28 or 29. After that, on average,
salaries increase again until the age of 32, before
they drop dramatically as players approach the end
of their career.
Figure 63 shows that internationally transferred players
profited from increasing salary levels until an initial peak
age of 27. The drop thereafter could indicate that players
needed to prove that they could perform well after their
peak age to receive high salaries. If players managed to
do that, however, they could reach higher salaries than in
earlier career stages.
 123

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 62: Average salaries by region from where players are transferred

Asia Africa North South Oceania Europe

America America
Argentina 33,000 N/A 42,000 36,000 N/A 64,000

3 Contracts
Brazil 65,000 5,000 58,000 146,000 N/A 80,000
England 100,000 145,000 630,000 1,850,000 40,000 710,000
Germany 210,000 29,000 5,000 770,000 N/A 400,000
Italy 750,000 N/A 760,000 610,000 N/A 755,000

2 Player characteristics
Portugal 68,000 35,000 490,000 150,000 N/A 374,000
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 62 lists the average annual salaries paid in six countries grouped by the region of origin of a player transfer. ‘N/A’
refers to cases where zero player transfers originating in specific regions did not allow for the calculation of average
salaries, or where average salaries that are based on single player transfers have been excluded from the scope to

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

comply with data protection rules. All amounts are given in US dollars.

Figure 63: Average salaries by age of transferred players

600,000

400,000

200,000

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Age

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 63 displays the average annual fixed salaries paid by players’ age, including incoming transfers to Brazil,
Argentina, England, Germany, Italy and Portugal. Age groups older than 34 years were excluded as small sample sizes
did not provide for a rigorous analysis. All amounts are given in US dollars.
124

Based on the salaries of all 2012 incoming transfers

into Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, Italy and
Portugal, midfielders earned the highest average
annual fixed salaries of USD 391,000. Defenders
ranked second with an average salary of USD
323,000 followed by goalkeepers (USD 307,000) and
forwards (USD 291,000).
Midfielders received the highest salaries when
transferred into Italy, with an annual average fixed salary
of USD 892,000. Goalkeepers were highly paid in England
(USD 484,000) and Portugal (USD 483,000), but earned
significantly less in Germany (USD 120,000). Defenders
earned most when transferred into Italy (USD 794,000)
and forwards were highest paid when moving into
England (USD 719,000).
 125

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 64: Average salaries by playing position

Goalkeepers Defenders
794

484 483

3 Contracts
390 567

307

345

2 Player characteristics
323

240
thousand

120 thousand
51
58
26 41

Ar Br En Ge Ita Po Av Ar Br En Ge Ita Po Av

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

ge az gla rm ly rtu e rag ge az gla rm ly rtu e rag
nt i nt i
ina l nd an
y
ga
l e ina l nd an
y
ga
l e

Midfielders Forwards
892
719
761

520

457 377
391
291
thousand

thousand

244

197

104 76
42 45

Ar Br En Ge Ita Po Av Ar Br En Ge Ita Po Av
ge az gla rm ly rtu e rag ge az gla rm ly rtu e rag
nt i nt i
ina l nd an
y
ga
l e ina l nd an
y
ga
l e

Source for salary data: FIFA TMS, 2012

Source for position data: Infostrada, 2012
Figure 64 displays the average salaries paid to incoming transfers grouped by player
position. All amounts are given in US dollars.
126 5.3
Case study:
Money matters

Germany pays a low It is interesting that the professional football league of

one of Europe’s financially healthiest countries should

price for success. pay incoming international transfers significantly lower

salaries (USD 390,000 on average) than its counterparts
in England and Italy, who, at USD 680,000 and USD
720,000 respectively on average, pay almost double that
amount.

A closer look reveals that the German clubs’ relative

thriftiness is a direct consequence of two specific
regulations. Firstly, a rule change in 2006 lifted all
restrictions on the number of foreigners in the top two
divisions. German clubs need to have a minimum of eight
‘local players26’ on their books, but they are free to bring
in as many foreigners as they want, regardless of their
origin.

This liberalism contrasts with England, where

employment laws demand that non-EU players are of
‘elite’ status27. As a consequence, England-bound non-EU
players are more likely to be older, more established and
thus more expensive players. The average yearly salaries
for non-EU players bear out this dynamic. In England,
they earn USD 1.44 million per year, but in Germany only
USD 520,000 per year. The Bundesliga can transfer
non-EU players at a lesser expense because its clubs can
pick from a much wider array of players.

The Italian league’s cap on two non-EU players per club

has a similar effect with respect to the percentage
difference between salaries of EU and non-EU players.
Absolute salary levels of non-EU players are almost twice
as high in Italy as in Germany, as Italian clubs are keen to
select high-quality players for their non-EU spots. This of
course translates into high salary levels.
 127

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
Germany

4 Club-to-club transfer compensation

The second deflationary effect on salaries is probably
due to Germany’s stringent licensing system and its
traditional ownership structure. The so-called ‘50+1
rule’, referring to a shareholding of at least 50% + 1
share, stipulates that the majority of shares in a club
must be owned by its supporters.

3 Contracts
The league reserves the right to grant licences that come
with certain conditions, for example a requirement to
reduce debts or operating deficits28. These cost-control

2 Player characteristics
measures have played a big part in making the Bundesliga
one of Europe’s most profitable leagues. Financial
prudence has also acted as a cap on salaries, as well as
transfer fees paid in Germany.

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Figure 65: Average salaries of EU and non-EU nationals

Germany Italy England

EU nationality 330,000 Difference 540,000 Difference 490,000 Difference
Non-EU nationality 520,000 +58% 1,000,000 +85% 1,440,000 +194%
Average 390,000 720,000 680,000

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 65 compares the average salaries paid to internationally transferred players with EU versus non-EU nationality in England, Germany and Italy.
The figure also shows the percentage difference between the EU and non-EU player groups. All amounts are given in US dollars.

26 German Football League, ‘Lizenzordnung Spieler’, 18 August 2012, §5, defines a

‘local player’ as a player who was trained by either his club or the German Football
Association for three years between the ages of 15 and 21.
27 Home Office UK Border Agency, ‘Tier 2 and 5 of the Points-based System – Guidance
for Sponsors’, 13 December 2012
28 German Football League, ‘Lizenzierungsordnung’, 8 December 2010, §8 and §8b
 6
129

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Intermediaries

3 Contracts
Overall activity 6.1

Club intermediary commissions and rates 6.2

2 Player characteristics
Top spenders on club intermediary commissions 6.3

Case study: Boom time 6.4

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

There are three types of intermediaries that may be
involved in an international transfer covered by TMS:
an intermediary representing the player, and club
intermediaries representing the engaging club or the
releasing club. The following sections provide analyses
on intermediaries’ activity in the international
transfer market, as well as statistics on the financial
commissions paid to club intermediaries.
130 6.1
Overall activity

2012 saw an increase of 19% (2,199 transfers) of the 11,552 international

transfers in 2012 involved at least one intermediary

9% in the involvement of representing the player, the engaging club or the

releasing club. At the same time, 44% (703 transfers)

player intermediaries and of the 1,584 transfers involving

compensation (14% of total transfers) involved
club-to-club

a 19% increase of club intermediaries on behalf of at least one party.

intermediaries’ Player intermediaries were involved in 15% of total

transfers (1,730 transfers). This represented an

involvement. increase of 9% (146 transfers) in player intermediary

involvement from 2011.

Figure 66: Involvement of intermediaries

in international transfers

Proportions of total transfers 2012

6%
15%

Club Player
intermediary intermediary

94% 85%

No club intermediary No player intermediary

involved involved

Club intermediary Player intermediary

involved involved
 131

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
706 transfers (6% of total transfers) involved club Only 20 transfers (0.2% of all transfers) involved
intermediaries for the engaging club, the releasing intermediaries for the engaging club, the releasing club
club, or both sides. This represents an increase of 19% and the player at the same time. Together, these 20
(113 transfers) in club intermediaries’ involvement in transfers accounted for a total of USD 140 million in fixed
international transfers from 2011. transfer compensation.
A detailed breakdown of club intermediaries’ Although the overall international transfer activity
involvement revealed that: for 2012 was in line with 2011, 2012 witnessed a

3 Contracts
greater involvement of intermediaries.
5% of all transfers (592 transfers)
involved intermediaries representing the engaging club,

2 Player characteristics
1% of all transfers (158 transfers)
involved intermediaries representing the releasing club
and

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

0.4% of all transfer (44 transfers)
involved intermediaries on both clubs’ sides.

Club inter­mediary Player inter­mediary

+19% +9%
Figure 66 shows:
706 1,730 a) The number of transfers with intermediary
+ 113 + 146 involvement on either the clubs’ side or the players’
side. The numbers on club intermediaries’ involvement
include club intermediaries for both the engaging and
593 1,584 releasing clubs.
b) The percentages of total transfers in which club or
player intermediaries were involved during 2012’s
transfers.
transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20 20 20
11 12 11 12
132

There was a 25% increase in the activity of licensed

agents29 as club intermediaries, and a 5% increase in
the activity of licensed agents as player
intermediaries. There was also an 80% increase in
authorised lawyers30 involved as intermediaries for
the player.
Parents, siblings or spouses31, who may also act as
intermediaries for the player, were only minimally
involved in 2012’s international transfers.

29 Licensed agents are issued with a licence by the association with which they are
registered, and may represent players or clubs in connection with a transfer or with a
view to negotiating or renegotiating an employment contract.
FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 2 and art. 3
30 A person legally authorised to practise as a lawyer in compliance with the rules in
force in his/her country of domicile may represent a player or a club in the negotiation
of a transfer or employment contract, without being requested to obtain a players’
agents’ licence.
FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 4
31 Parents, siblings or spouses may represent players in the negotiation or renegotiation
of an employment contract.
FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 4
 133

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 67: Types of intermediaries in
international transfers

Club intermediaries

3 Contracts
+ 133 +25% 674

2 Player characteristics
Figure 67 shows the types of club and player
541 intermediaries involved in international transfers.
Intermediaries may represent a player or a club in the
negotiation of a transfer or employment contract as
authorised lawyers or licensed agents. Parents, siblings,
or spouses may further represent a player in the

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

negotiation or renegotiation of an employment
77 76 contract.
transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

20 20
11 12
Authorised lawyer

Licensed agent

Parent, sibling or spouse

Player intermediaries

+ 76 +5% 1,537

1,461
+ 79 +80% 178

99 24 Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

15
transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

transfers

20 20
11 12
134 6.2
Club intermediary
commissions and rates

2012 saw an increase Commissions paid to club intermediaries by the engaging

club or the releasing club are disclosed in TMS. Payments

of 28% (USD 36 million) made to player intermediaries, however, are not reported
in the system.

in payments to club In contrast to the 2012 decrease in club-to-club

intermediaries, and unlike compensation, the market for intermediaries showed

significant growth. Clubs paid a total of USD 163 million

2011, the commissions to club intermediaries, an increase of 28% (USD 36

million) compared to 2011.

paid to intermediaries This represents an average club intermediary commission

of almost USD 300,000. The median average commission

representing engaging was USD 80,000.

clubs were greater than

to intermediaries
representing releasing
clubs.
 135

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 68: Overview of club intermediary
commissions

Total club intermediary commissions

3 Contracts
+28%
Figure 68 shows the total amount of club intermediary
163 commissions paid in 2012 as well as average club
+ 36 million intermediary commissions paid per transfer with club
intermediary involvement. All amounts are given in US

2 Player characteristics
dollars.
127
million

million

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

20 20
11 12

Average club intermediary commission per transfer

+ 60,000 +25% 298

238
thousand

thousand

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20
11 12
136

Club intermediary rates refer to the percentage Figure 69: Overview

equivalent of club intermediary commissions in fixed of club intermediary rates
transfer compensation agreed for a specific transfer.
These rates show the benefits for intermediaries from
international transfers.
Average club intermediary rate
The average club intermediary rate in 2012 was
28%, an increase of 4 percentage points from 2011.
28%
The median club intermediary rate was 12%.
These figures show that intermediaries have significantly
increased their stake in the international transfer market.
24%
rate

rate

20 20
11 12

Figure 69 shows the average club intermediary rate

paid in the international transfer market. This analysis
includes all transfers for which fixed transfer
compensation as well as club intermediary payments are
entered in TMS. It calculates the club intermediary rate
as the intermediary commission divided by the fixed
transfer compensation (expressed in percentages).
 137

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 70 distinguishes between the commissions paid Figure 70: Engaging versus releasing club
to club intermediaries by the engaging or the releasing intermediaries’ commissions
club. Here, a clear change from 2011 is apparent.
In 2011, the average commission paid to club
intermediaries by the releasing club was higher
than that paid by the engaging club. This relationship Average engaging club intermediary commission
has now been reversed. There was a significant

3 Contracts
increase of 36% (USD 82,000) in average club
intermediary commissions from engaging clubs, and
a significant decrease of 16% (USD 47,000) from
+ 82,000 +36% 310

2 Player characteristics
releasing clubs. Median commissions in 2012 were
228
USD 71,000 for engaging club intermediaries and
USD 112,000 for releasing club intermediaries.
thousand

thousand

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

20 20
11 12

Average releasing club intermediary commission

-16%
Figure 70 shows the average commissions of engaging
club intermediaries and releasing club intermediaries.
287
All amounts are given in US dollars. - 47,000

240
thousand

thousand

Source for figures 69 – 70: FIFA TMS, 2012

20 20
11 12
138

Figure 71: Engaging versus releasing club Engaging club intermediary rates were significantly
intermediaries’ rates higher, at an average of 32%, than releasing club
intermediary rates, which stood at 15%.

The rates of both club intermediary rates grew in 2012:

Average engaging club intermediary rate 4 percentage points increase in engaging club
intermediary rates, and
2 percentage points increase in releasing club
32%
intermediary rates.

28%
The median intermediary rates stood at:
15% for engaging club intermediaries, and
9% for releasing club intermediaries.
rate

rate

Figure 72 compares the average club intermediary

20 20
11 12 commissions and rates per transfer type.

Average club intermediary commissions were

Average releasing club intermediary rate highest for ‘engage player’ transfers, both for
engaging clubs’ and releasing clubs’ intermediaries.

15%
The club intermediary rates, however, were higher
in loan transfers.
This could be because fixed transfer compensation
13%
agreed for loan transfers was generally much lower than
for ‘engage player’ transfers, while club intermediary
commissions remained at comparable levels. Club
intermediary commissions did not differ for loans and
rate

rate

‘engage player’ transfers as strongly as the equivalent

20 20
11 12 amounts in fixed transfer compensation.

Figure 71 shows the average club intermediary rates paid in the international transfer Source for figures 71 – 72: FIFA TMS, 2012

market for engaging club intermediaries and releasing club intermediaries. This analysis
includes all transfers for which fixed transfer compensation as well as club intermediary
payments are entered in TMS. It calculates the club intermediary rate as the intermediary
commission divided by the fixed transfer compensation (expressed in percentages).
 139

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Figure 72: Comparison of intermediary commissions and rates by transfer type

Transfer type Number of Average engaging club Number Average engaging club Number
2012 transfers intermediary commission of cases intermediary rate of cases
Engage out of contract 8,110 154,000 188 N/A N/A
Engage player 1,146 533,000 197 32% 184

3 Contracts
Engage on loan 1,375 95,000 63 30% 35
Return from loan 921 121,000 5 N/A N/A
11,552 310,000 453 32% 219

2 Player characteristics
Transfer type Number of Average releasing club Number Average releasing club Number
2012 transfers intermediary commission of cases intermediary rate of cases
Engage out of contract 8,110 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Engage player 1,146 314,000 65 14% 62
Engage on loan 1,375 76,000 29 20% 16

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Return from loan 921 N/A N/A N/A N/A
11,552 240,000 94 15% 78

Transfer type Number of Average engaging club Number Average engaging club Number
2011 transfers intermediary commission of cases intermediary rate of cases
Engage out of contract 8,081 161,000 195 N/A N/A
Engage player 1,135 347,000 181 23% 161
Engage on loan 1,393 97,000 65 47% 35
Return from loan 872 N/A N/A N/A N/A
11,481 228,000 441 28% 196

Transfer type Number of Average releasing club Number Average releasing club Number
2011 transfers intermediary commission of cases intermediary rate of cases
Engage out of contract 8,081 N/A N/A N/A N/A
Engage player 1,135 347,000 65 12% 56
Engage on loan 1,393 139,000 26 18% 16
Return from loan 872 N/A N/A N/A N/A
11,481 287,000 91 13% 72

Figure 72 lists the average club intermediary commissions and rates by transfer type. The number of cases for club intermediary rates are lower than those for club intermediary
commissions, as rates are only calculated for those transfers where both a club intermediary commission and a fixed transfer compensation payment between clubs is entered in TMS.
The figure provides numbers for the 2011 and 2012 transfer years separately. ‘N/A’ refers to cases where transfers did not involve club intermediary commission payments or club-
to-club fixed transfer compensation payments. All amounts are given in US dollars.
140 6.3
Top spenders on club
intermediary commissions

E nglish clubs spent the Figure 73 identifies the countries where the top spending
clubs of club intermediary commissions reside.

most on intermediary The list highlights English clubs as the top spenders
in terms of overall payments made to club

commissions, closely intermediaries.

This top ten ranking exclusively features European

followed by Italy and countries, highlighting the importance of the European

market from an intermediary’s perspective.

Russia. Russian clubs showed a high average club

intermediary commission on the engaging club’s
side.
Russia’s increased involvement in the international
transfer market is thus accompanied by well-paid
intermediary involvement.
Figure 73: Biggest spenders on club intermediary commissions 141

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Russia
England
Europe
Spain Croatia

North America Portugal Italy

Asia

Africa

3 Contracts
South America Oceania

2 Player characteristics
Countries involved in the top-3
of each category

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

Total of engaging Total engaging Total releasing Average engaging Average releasing
and releasing club intermediary club intermediary club intermediary club intermediary
club interme­diary commissions commissions commissions commissions
commissions
England 59 million England 51 million England 8 million Russia 2,290,000 Spain 580,000
Italy 41 million Italy 37 million Italy 4 million Italy 570,000 England 460,000
Russia 23 million Russia 23 million Portugal 3 million England 320,000 Croatia 450,000
Germany 12 million Germany 10 million Germany 2 million Portugal 300,000 Denmark 420,000
Portugal 11 million Portugal 8 million France 1 million Greece 270,000 Scotland 320,000
France 5 million France 4 million Denmark 0.8 million Germany 250,000 Portugal 270,000
Denmark 2.8 million Denmark 2 million Spain 0.6 million France 150,000 Germany 240,000
Wales 1.3 million Wales 1 million Serbia 0.5 million Denmark 140,000 Moldova 210,000
Scotland 1.3 million Norway 1 million Croatia 0.4 million Korea Republic 100,000 Italy 200,000
Norway 1.3 million Scotland 1 million Moldova 0.4 million Wales 90,000 Serbia 180,000

Source: FIFA TMS, 2012

Figure 73 identifies the countries whose clubs spent the most on club intermediary
commissions. Averages are calculated for those transfers with paid club intermediary
involvement. All amounts are given in US dollars.
 Figure 74: Transfer streams between countries
142 with highest club intermediary commissions

Europe
North America
Asia

Africa

Oceania
South America
Countries listed in chart below

The analysis presented in Figure 74 shows that the heavy spending of Russian
clubs on agent commissions mainly relates to transfers from Portugal to
Russia. Transfer streams into England and Italy also correspond with large
sums of club agent commissions.

Transfer stream Total club Transfer stream Average club

intermediary intermediary
commissions commissions
1 Portugal to Russia 18.3 million 1 Portugal to Russia 6.1 million Figure 74 identifies those transfer streams between
2 Italy to England 10.3 million 2 Greece to Italy 2.1 million countries with the highest total amount of club
intermediary commissions and the highest average club
3 Germany to England 9.9 million 3 England to Italy 1.9 million intermediary commissions involved. Club intermediary
4 France to England 8.2 million 4 Chile to Germany 1.6 million commissions refer to the totals of payments made to
engaging and releasing club intermediaries per transfer.
5 England to Italy 7.8 million 5 Argentina to Italy 1.5 million The average club intermediary commission is calculated
for transfers with paid club intermediary involvement.
6 Argentina to Italy 5.9 million 6 Spain to Portugal 1.3 million
Transfer streams and intermediary commissions that are
7 France to Italy 5.5 million 7 Belgium to Italy 1.3 million based on single player transfers have been excluded
from the scope to comply with data protection rules. All
8 Portugal to England 4.7 million 8 Denmark to England 0.9 million
amounts are given in US dollars.
9 Brazil to Italy 4.6 million 9 Italy to England 0.9 million
10 England to Russia 4.4 million 10 France to Portugal 0.8 million
Source: FIFA TMS, 2012
144 6.4
Case study:
Boom time

T he changing future of Two senior figures in the intermediary industry gave

their reaction to our analysis on the role of intermediaries

intermediaries. in 2012: Theo van Seggelen is the CEO of FIFPro, the

worldwide representative organisation for all
professional football players, while Rob Jansen is the
Chairman of the European Football Agents Association.

What is your reaction to the 28% rise in club

intermediary fees in 2012, despite the overall drop
in club-to-club fixed transfer compensation?
Van Seggelen32: We are seeing more and more that
intermediaries are the owners of the players. They see
players as a financial investment instead of defending the
rights of the players. Clubs do not care, they are only
interested in contracting the player they want.
Jansen33: The fees for agents from a worldwide
perspective are not so big any more, but at the top of the
market they are. We can bring this down, but we have to
work together to do this. We are prepared to talk about a
limitation of fees but the clubs are blocking it because
they want to stay in control.
 145

6 Intermediaries
5 Salaries
4 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Compared to 2011, club intermediary involvement agent, can be punished seriously, including losing points
was up by 14% and player intermediary involvement in their league, and not just being given a fine. But the
up by 7%. Why do you think this is? clubs will never agree to this. They have the power to
Van Seggelen: The clubs would like to have control over control the market and they don't want to do that.
the intermediaries, because in that case they think that
they also have control over the players. But there’s a What value do you think intermediaries bring to the
conflict of interest: as long as the club pays the player transfer market? Is the traditional model of an

3 Contracts
intermediary, this problem will not be solved. intermediary representing players still relevant?
Van Seggelen: I think that the value is overestimated. In
TMS requires disclosure of intermediary fees on all my opinion there will be no need for intermediaries in

2 Player characteristics
international transfers. Has this impacted the the future at all. The traditional model is less and less
market in terms of fee levels and if not, why not? important. In modern football, we work with standard
Van Seggelen: The clubs are complaining about the fees contracts, and with the use of modern communication, it
they have to pay, but the moment they want to sign the must be possible to create a worldwide database where
player, they forget everything. Players do not care: they clubs and players are brought together.
Jansen: The number of agents is increasing. When there

1 Market activity and mobility patterns

need to understand that payments by clubs to
intermediaries indirectly influence their salaries. A are many agents who work correctly, it’s good for the
solution could be that players pay their own game and it helps. But the agents who we say are out of
intermediaries themselves. control are actually always acting in control of a club:
they can’t act alone, as they need the clubs to pay them.
Are the levels of transparency and the confidence in But it can be controlled by up to 80%. At the moment I
the intermediary business as you would want them? would say the figure [of agents acting within control] is
Jansen: No. I want more rules and regulations and also only 30%. We accept this is true. The controls should be
an arbitration system, which works in cooperation with better. And then maybe we can get a statement of
the member associations and their clubs. So when assurances. We are open for that. Many agents want to
something goes wrong, a club, and not just the player or have a different image.

32 Interview conducted with FIFA TMS on 17 December 2012

33 Interview conducted with FIFA TMS on 21 December 2012
 147

About FIFA TMS

List of figures per chapter

References to FIFA documents

148

About
FIFA TMS

The FIFA TMS vision is to foster and sustain a transparent FIFA TMS was established as a result of the Task Force
global transfer market based on integrity, accountability ‘For the Good of the Game’ in 2007. At the time, a series
and innovation. of recommendations were endorsed by the FIFA Congress
of which three, relevant for FIFA TMS, were as follows:
Its mission is the following:
Ensure transparency in transfer operations
Enable clubs to confirm the terms and conditions of Obtain more information and establish a database on
player transfers transfers of players
Facilitate the transfer of player registrations between Function as a self-funding operating unit
associations
Help safeguard the protection of minors FIFA TMS has successfully delivered against the first two
Provide information and decision-making tools to key objectives since the international service went live in
stakeholders 2008 and became mandatory in 2010. Having established
Train and support key stakeholders a strong network across 209 associations and over 5,600
Monitor player transfer activities and investigate professional football clubs worldwide, FIFA TMS now
alleged breaches of the transfer regulations seeks to offer premium services and contribute to its
Enforce adherence to FIFA’s Regulations on the Status self-financing objective.
and Transfer of Players through a specific sanction
system, presenting breaches of those transfer In 2012, FIFA TMS handled 11,552 transactions with a
regulations and proposing sanctions to the competent combined transfer compensation value of more than USD
FIFA bodies 2.5 billion.
150

List of figures
per chapter

19 1.0 Market activity and mobility patterns

21 Figure 1: Overall market activity
24
Figure 2: Timing of transfers
25
Figure 3: Number of countries with open and closed registration periods per month
25
Figure 4: Change in timing of transfers
26
Figure 5: Transfers during open registration periods
27
Figure 6: Transfers during final weeks of open between-season and within-season registration periods
29
Figure 7: Most active countries
31
Figure 8: Most active countries per region
34
Figure 9: Most active transfer streams between countries
36
Figure 10: Overview of transfer streams between and within regions
39
Figure 11: Transfer streams Asia
40
Figure 12: Transfer streams Africa
41
Figure 13: Transfer streams North America
42
Figure 14: Transfer streams South America
43
Figure 15: Transfer streams Oceania
44
Figure 16: Transfer streams Europe
47
Figure 17: Brazil’s incoming transfers
48
Figure 18: Brazil’s outgoing transfers

51 2.0 Player characteristics

53
Figure 19: Age distribution of players in international transfers
54
Figure 20: Average age of players transferred between and within regions
55
Figure 21: Countries with lowest and highest average age of incoming players
55
Figure 22: Countries with lowest and highest average age of outgoing players
56
Figure 23: Countries with biggest age difference between incoming and outgoing players
57
Figure 24: Transfer streams between countries by average age
58
Figure 25: Top nationalities represented in international transfers
59
Figure 26: Nationalities with highest increase in international transfers
59
Figure 27: Nationalities with biggest drop in international transfers
60
Figure 28: Top nationalities of players on global career paths
60
Figure 29: Highest proportions of incoming players with home-country nationality
61
Figure 30: Nationalities of transferred players with lowest and highest average age
63
Figure 31: Positions of players transferred into the six most active countries
64
Figure 32: Playing positions of incoming transfers for the six most active countries
67
Figure 33: Country-level and region-level destinations for Ghana's outgoing transfers
 151

69 3.0 Contracts
72
Figure 34: Transfer types
75
Figure 35: Transfer types by stream between and within regions
76
Figure 36: Transfer types in most active streams between countries
77
Figure 37: Most active transfer streams between countries for different transfer types
79
Figure 38: New and old contract lengths
80
Figure 39: Durations of player unemployment before ‘engage out of contract’ transfers

85 4.0 Club-to-club transfer compensation

88 Figure 40: Total club-to-club compensation
89
Figure 41: Types of club-to-club compensation
91
Figure 42: Fixed transfer compensation
92
Figure 43: Conditional transfer compensation
93
Figure 44: Solidarity contribution
94
Figure 45: Training compensation
97
Figure 46: Biggest spenders of fixed and conditional transfer compensation
97
Figure 47: Biggest recipients of fixed and conditional transfer compensation
98
Figure 48: Fixed transfer compensation spenders pyramid
100
Figure 49: Fixed transfer compensation recipients pyramid
102
Figure 50: Net recipients and net spenders of fixed transfer compensation
105
Figure 51: Fixed transfer compensation money flows between and within regions
105
Figure 52: Market coverage of fixed transfer compensation money flows between and within regions
106
Figure 53: Change in fixed transfer compensation money flows between and within regions
107
Figure 54: Highest fixed transfer compensation money flows between countries
110
Figure 55: Pyramid of fixed transfer compensation money flows
113
Figure 56: Average fixed transfer compensation in ‘engage player’ transfers by remaining old contract length
113
Figure 57: Average fixed transfer compensation in ‘engage on loan’ transfers by remaining old contract length
115
Figure 58: Average fixed transfer compensation during the final weeks of between-season registration periods
115
Figure 59: Average fixed transfer compensation during the final weeks of within-season registration periods
116
Figure 60: French club-to-club compensation spend
152

119 5.0 Salaries

120 Figure 61: Average salaries for players transferred into the six most active countries

123
Figure 62: Average salaries by region from where players are transferred
123
Figure 63: Average salaries by age of transferred players
125
Figure 64: Average salaries by playing position
127
Figure 65: Average salaries of EU and non-EU nationals

129 6.0 Intermediaries

130
Figure 66: Involvement of intermediaries in international transfers
133
Figure 67: Types of intermediaries in international transfers
135
Figure 68: Overview of club intermediary commissions
136
Figure 69: Overview of club intermediary rates
137
Figure 70: Engaging versus releasing club intermediaries’ commissions
138
Figure 71: Engaging versus releasing club intermediaries’ rates
139
Figure 72: Comparison of intermediary commissions and rates by transfer type
141
Figure 73: Biggest spenders on club intermediary commissions
142
Figure 74: Transfer streams between countries with highest club intermediary commissions
 153

References to
FIFA documents

Fédération Internationale de Football Association,

All about FIFA, Zurich, January 2012

Fédération Internationale de Football Association,

FIFA Code of Ethics, Zurich, 2012

Fédération Internationale de Football Association,

FIFA Statutes, Zurich, July 2012

Fédération Internationale de Football Association,

Laws of the Game 2012/2013, Zurich, 2012

Fédération Internationale de Football Association,

Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007

Fédération Internationale de Football Association,

Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich,
27 September 2012
 A Appendix

Glossary and assumptions A1

Global transfer market calendar A2

Market activity and mobility patterns A3

Player characteristics A4

Contracts A5

Club-to-club transfer compensation A6

Intermediaries A7

This appendix provides a glossary of the key terms used

in this report, details on the assumptions and calculations
used in this report, as well as transfer data at the level of
individual countries.
156 A1
Glossary

A Association A total of 209 national football associations are affiliated to FIFA, world football’s
governing body. The associations represent FIFA in their countries, must respect
the FIFA statutes including the aims and ideals of world football’s governing body
and promote and manage the sport accordingly.
Throughout this report, the terms ‘association’ and ‘country’ are used
interchangeably.

Authorised lawyer A person legally authorised to practise as a lawyer in compliance with the rules in
force in his/her country of domicile who may represent a player or a club in the
negotiation of a transfer or employment contract, without being requested to
obtain a players’ agents’ licence. (See: FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 4)

C Completed transfer A completed transfer is one where an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) has
been received by the association where a player is transferring, or where that
association has registered a player with a new club on a provisional basis.
(See: FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012, Annexe 3)

Conditional transfer The amount payable by the engaging club to the releasing club for the transfer of a
compensation player if certain conditions are fulfilled (e.g. if the player scores ten goals or makes
20 first-team appearances, then x% in transfer compensation will be paid to the
releasing club).

Confederation Confederations are the umbrella organisations of the national football associations
on each continent.
Throughout this report, the terms ‘confederation’ and ‘region’ are used
interchangeably. Accordingly,
Asia stands for the AFC,
  Africa stands for CAF,
  North America stands for CONCACAF,
  South America stands for CONMEBOL,
  Oceania stands for the OFC, and
  Europe stands for UEFA.

Country In the context of this report, the term ‘country’ is used to represent the more
technical term of an ‘association’.
 157

E Engage on loan The type of transfer entered when a professional player is temporarily engaged by
a new club while still in a running contract with the releasing club. A player may be
loaned to another club on the basis of a written agreement between him and the
clubs concerned. The player’s contract with the releasing club remains in force,
with its effects being temporarily suspended for the duration of the loan.

Engage out of The type of transfer entered when a player signs with an engaging club without
contract being contractually bound to a previous club. In order to move under this type of
instruction, a player’s previous contract has expired, was terminated early (by
mutual agreement or unilaterally), or the player had no previous contract.

Engage player The type of transfer entered when a player is engaged by a new club permanently
and a contract with the releasing club is terminated.

Engaging club A transferred player’s new club.

F FIFA TMS The abbreviation for FIFA TMS GmbH as the company responsible for providing an
electronic platform and the processes (Transfer Matching System, TMS) which
support the provision of an International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Fixed transfer The amount of the unconditional payment to be made by the engaging club to the
compensation releasing club for the transfer of a player. Payments are agreed and fixed.

G Global career path Player movement not involving the player’s home-country (related to his
nationality) as either the engaging or releasing association. Example: a French
player transferred from Germany to Italy.
158 A1
Glossary

I Incoming transfer From the perspective of a specific region, country, or club, the term refers to the
engaging of a player.

Intermediary Throughout this report, the terms ‘intermediary’ and ‘agent’ are used
interchangeably.
Both players and clubs are entitled to engage the services of a licensed players’
agent in connection with a transfer or with view to negotiating or renegotiating an
employment contract. The players’ agent is entitled to be remunerated for the
service he provides. (See: FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 2)
There are two different types of intermediaries who can represent a club in a
transfer: (1) licensed agent, (2) authorised lawyer.
There are three different types of intermediaries who can represent a player in a
transfer: (1) licensed agent, (2) authorised lawyer, (3) parent, sibling or spouse.
(See: FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007 art. 3 and art. 4)

Intermediary An intermediary is entitled to be remunerated for the service he provides.

commission (See: FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 2).

Only the commission of the intermediaries representing clubs (not of those

representing players) are disclosed in TMS and thus analysed in the present report.

Intermediary rate Intermediary commission as a percentage equivalent of the fixed transfer

compensation for a transfer.
The term is used as an illustrative indicator for this report’s purposes only,
acknowledging that according to the Players’ Agents Regulations, an intermediary
may not participate in (part of) the agreed transfer compensation.
(See: FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 29)

International The document that allows the transfer of a player’s registration from one association
Transfer to another. (See: FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012, art. 9)
Certificate (ITC)
 159

L Licensed agent Both players and clubs are entitled to engage the services of a licensed agent in
connection with a transfer or with a view to negotiating or renegotiating an
employment contract. These agents are issued with a licence by the association
with which they are registered. (See: FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 2 and art. 3)

M Minors International transfers of players are only permitted if the player is over the age of
18. The following three exceptions to this rule apply:
The minor’s home and the club are both within 50km of a common border, and
the distance between the minor’s home and the club does not exceed 100km.
The minor’s parents are moving to another country for a reason not linked to
football.
The transfer is within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area
(EEA) and the player is over 16 (and certain stringent conditions are met, such
as the level of academic and football training).
(See: FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012, art. 19)

Equally, the sub-committee appointed by the Players’ Status Committee for the
purpose of the protection of minors has confirmed that a foreign minor who has
been living for at least five years in the country where he wishes to be registered for
a club for the first time should be considered a national of that country from a
sporting point of view. Hence, an application for the registration of a foreign minor
under these circumstances is regularly being granted.
Furthermore, 23 associations were granted a limited exemption from having to
apply to the sub-committee appointed by the Players’ Status Committee for
approval prior to the first registration of a foreign minor player or the international
transfer of a minor player. This limited exemption only applies to amateur players
wishing to join purely amateur clubs. In such cases, the association concerned
assumes the responsibility for ensuring the proper respect of art. 19 of the
Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players.

N Net receipts /
net recipient /
net spend /
Net receipts and net spend are calculated as the total of a country’s receipts of fixed
transfer compensation minus the total of that country’s spend on fixed transfer
compensation. For net receipts, total receipts exceed total spend, and for net spend,
net spender total spend exceeds total receipts.
160 A1
Glossary

O Outgoing transfer From the perspective of a specific region, country or club, this term refers to the
releasing of a player.

P Parent, sibling
or spouse
Parents, siblings or spouses may represent players in the negotiation or
renegotiation of an employment contract.
(See: FIFA, Players’ Agents Regulations, Zurich, 29 October 2007, art. 4)

Professional player A professional is a player who has a written contract with a club and is paid more
for his football activity than the expenses he effectively incurs. All other players are
considered amateurs.

R Region In the context of this report, the term ‘region’ is used to represent the more technical
term of a ‘confederation’.

Registration period As a general rule, players can only be registered during one of two annual
registration periods, commonly referred to as ‘transfer windows’. Per association,
there can only be two registration periods per season. One of the registration
periods must fall between two seasons (between-season registration period) and
cannot be longer than 12 weeks. The other will occur during the season, usually in
the middle, and lasts up to four weeks (within-season registration period).
(See: FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012, art. 6)

Releasing club The transferred player’s previous club.

Return from loan A type of transfer. A player who was loaned to another club on the basis of a written
agreement between him and the clubs concerned returns to his club of origin after
the expiry of the loan.

S Solidarity
contribution
If a professional player moves before the expiry of his contract, 5% of any
compensation (not including training compensation) paid to his former club shall
be distributed between the clubs that have contributed to his education and
training as solidarity contribution.
(See: FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012, Annexe 5)
 161

T TMS Abbreviation for Transfer Matching System, the electronic platform and processes
which support the provision of an International Transfer Certificate (ITC).

Training Training compensation shall be paid to the player’s training club(s): (1) when a
compensation player signs his first contract as a professional and (2) each time a professional is
transferred until the end of the season of his 23rd birthday. The obligation to pay
training compensation arises regardless of whether the transfer takes place during
or at the end of the player’s contract.
(See: FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Zurich, 27 September 2012, Annexe 4)

Transfer The movement of a player’s registration from one association to another

accompanying a change of a player’s club affiliation. For the purposes of TMS, the
international transfer of a professional male player within the scope of 11-a-side
football. If a transfer agreement exists between the clubs, the transfer consists of
two matching transfer instructions. If there is no transfer agreement, it consists of
one transfer instruction only.
Throughout this report, the term ‘transfer’ covers international transfers where
players move across country borders, but does exclude domestic transfers within
country borders.

Transfer market The term refers to the total of clubs’ incoming and outgoing player movements
involvement aggregated at the level of a country or region.

Transfer type The term defines the type of transfer entered in TMS. The four basic types of
transfers are ‘engage out of contract’, ‘engage player’, ‘engage on loan’, and ‘return
from loan’.
162 A1
Assumptions

The following sections provide information on the 2012 are in scope. For the purposes of comparisons
assumptions and applied procedures underlying this between years, all data for 2011 refers to international
report. transfers first entered in TMS and reaching the status of
closure between 1 January and 31 December 2011.
Source of data
The information contained in this report is based on From the date of first entry in TMS, each international
individual transaction data provided directly by transfer has to go through multiple stages of matching,
professional football clubs in TMS which have been validation and confirmation until the ITC is received and
analysed for all completed transfers in the calendar year the transfer’s status reaches closure. Therefore, transfers
2012. A completed transfer is one for which an ITC has first entered within a calendar year which have not yet
been received by the national association to which the reached closure by 31 December of the same year are not
player is transferring, or one for which that association included in the analyses presented in this report. This
has registered a player with a new club on a provisional particularly applies to international transfers first
basis. entered during the final days of the calendar year. An
analysis of transfer data first entered in TMS during
The source for all data and information (with the December 2012 revealed that this scenario applies to
exception of players’ playing positions and unless 206 international transfers that may ultimately reach
explicitly indicated differently) is: closure during the first days and weeks of 2013. This
FIFA Transfer Matching System GmbH represents 1.8% of the 2012 total of international
FIFA-Strasse 20 transfers covered within the scope of this report.
8044 Zurich, Switzerland
Data protection
The source for all information on players’ playing The data contained in TMS and in this review is covered
positions is: by Swiss data protection law. Those associations whose
Infostrada Sports Group names appear in this report have expressly authorised
77 North View Road, Crouch End, FIFA TMS to disclose information concerning their
London N8 7LN, England transfers for reporting purposes.

Time frame By 18 January 2013, FIFA TMS received data release

Data and analyses provided in Global Transfer Market declarations from 203 associations. This represents 98%
2013 only concern international transfers of professional of the national football associations affiliated to FIFA as
male football players within the scope of 11-a-side world football’s governing body.
football. Only transfers entered in TMS and reaching the
status of closure between 1 January and 31 December
 163

Nationalities For calculation purposes, the following principles

Dual nationalities have been reported in TMS since April applied:
2012. For all data available since April 2012, analyses ∙ Weekly salaries were converted to annual salaries by
take both first and second nationalities into account. multiplying by 52.
∙ Monthly salaries were converted to annual salaries
Playing positions by multiplying by 12.
TMS does not cover playing positions. The playing For contracts spanning multiple seasons with identical
positions of players transferred into Argentina, Brazil, salary levels, thereby fully covering the 2012 calendar
England, Germany, Italy and Portugal have been provided year, a seasonal fixed salary equivalent was identified
by Infostrada Sports Group, London, England. Playing as the annual fixed salary for 2012.
positions have been used in the analyses provided in If fixed salary information provided in the contract did
chapters 2.3 and 5.2. not cover the full calendar year from 1 January 2012 to
31 December 2012, and/or fixed salary levels differed
Player salaries between the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons, the
The following rules have been used for the consideration following principles applied:
and aggregation of salary data from players’ employment ∙ If salary information was provided for the 2011/12
contracts: season AND the 2012/13 season, the salary of the
2012/13 season was proportionally converted into a
Employment contracts of all incoming transfers into 2012 full year equivalent.
Brazil, Argentina, England, Germany, Italy and Portugal ∙ If salary information was provided for the 2011/12
have been analysed. OR 2012/13 season only, then the salary of the
The annual fixed salary 2012 has been identified as available season was converted into a 2012 full year
corresponding to the timeframe between 1 January equivalent.
2012 and 31 December 2012. In case of missing or unclear salary information, the
For annual fixed salaries that are dependent on the respective transfers have been excluded from the
engaging club’s league affiliation, the player salary analyses presented in chapter 5. In all six countries a
was determined as corresponding to the club’s league minimum of 92% of incoming transfer’s employment
level on the date of the contract signature. The contracts was included in the analyses (Argentina
engaging club’s league affiliation was assumed to 97%, Brazil 99%, England 99%, Germany 92%, Italy
remain stable throughout the duration of the full 98%, Portugal 100%).
employment contract.
Variable components that are based on the
performance of either the player or the club were not
included.
164 A1
Assumptions

Conversion rates
All amounts provided in this report are given in US
dollars. For the purposes of currency conversions, the
following procedures applied:

All information on club-to-club compensation is

automatically converted into US dollars on the basis of
conversion rates as of the day of the transfer’s first
registration in TMS.

All other financial information has been converted into

US dollars on the basis of yearly average conversion rates
(from 1 January to 31 December) corresponding to the
calendar year of a transfer’s first registration in TMS.
Source for yearly average conversion rates:
[Link]
166
 A2
167

A7 Intermediaries
A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Global transfer
market calendar

A5 Contracts
The following tables provide detailed season

start and end dates, as well as start and end

A4 Player characteristics
dates of corresponding registration periods

per association country, where such dates

have been defined in TMS by the responsible

associations.

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

A2 Global transfer market calendar

Note 1: This calendar is the calendar as at 22 January 2013. Please check

[Link] to ensure the dates have not changed.

Note 2: ‘N/A’ refers to countries where associations have not defined season
start and end dates or start and end dates of corresponding registration
periods in TMS.

Note 3: Kosovo is not a member association of FIFA but is contractually

bound by FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players solely
and exclusively as far as the provisions on the maintenance of contractual
stability between professional players and clubs and the use of TMS is
concerned.
 A2 Asia
168 Previous season dates and registration periods
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Australia 08.10.11 22.04.12 09.08.11 31.10.11 17.01.12 14.02.12
Bahrain 15.09.11 31.05.12 23.06.11 14.09.11 01.02.12 28.02.12
Bangladesh 01.09.11 31.08.12 01.10.11 15.12.11 20.04.12 03.05.12
Bhutan 04.06.12 18.09.12 19.04.12 29.05.12 05.03.12 05.03.12
China PR 10.03.12 04.11.12 01.01.12 02.03.12 18.06.12 12.07.12
Chinese Taipei 11.04.12 30.10.12 08.01.12 31.03.12 01.08.12 31.08.12
Guam 15.09.11 15.03.12 05.01.12 04.03.12 15.08.12 14.09.12
Hong Kong 01.07.11 30.06.12 12.07.11 03.10.11 04.01.12 31.01.12
India 01.07.11 30.06.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 16.01.12 15.02.12
Indonesia 17.09.11 31.05.12 01.09.11 23.11.11 01.02.12 28.02.12
Iran 30.07.11 26.05.12 28.05.11 23.07.11 04.12.11 23.12.11
Iraq 01.10.11 30.06.12 01.08.11 25.09.11 01.02.12 28.02.12
Japan 01.02.11 31.01.12 08.01.11 01.04.11 11.07.11 10.08.11
Jordan 03.08.11 02.06.12 12.06.11 02.08.11 02.01.12 18.01.12
Korea Republic 26.02.12 12.12.12 03.01.12 26.03.12 03.07.12 30.07.12
Kuwait 20.08.11 20.05.12 17.07.11 08.09.11 03.01.12 31.01.12
Kyrgyzstan 21.03.12 10.11.12 01.02.12 15.04.12 01.08.12 26.08.12
Lebanon 15.10.11 30.06.12 22.07.11 12.10.11 26.12.11 25.01.12
Malaysia 07.01.12 27.10.12 30.10.11 08.12.11 02.04.12 16.04.12
Maldives 20.02.12 31.10.12 10.12.11 15.02.12 15.06.12 04.07.12
Mongolia 01.06.11 15.09.11 17.04.11 28.05.11 05.08.11 01.09.11
Myanmar 07.01.12 26.08.12 01.12.11 07.02.12 15.04.12 15.05.12
Nepal 01.04.11 31.03.12 01.04.11 23.06.11 15.11.11 08.12.11
Oman 04.10.11 21.04.12 13.07.11 02.10.11 01.01.12 26.01.12
Pakistan 01.03.12 01.12.12 01.01.13 31.01.13 01.05.13 29.05.13
Palestine 21.08.11 31.05.12 01.06.11 15.08.11 01.01.12 30.01.12
Philippines 01.04.10 30.09.10 06.01.10 30.03.10 23.04.10 08.05.10
Qatar 09.09.11 15.05.12 19.06.11 09.09.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Saudi Arabia 09.09.11 18.05.12 25.06.11 06.09.11 10.01.12 06.02.12
Singapore 05.02.12 04.11.12 02.01.12 23.03.12 04.06.12 29.06.12
Syria 09.09.11 27.04.12 17.06.11 08.09.11 05.01.12 02.02.12
Tajikistan 09.04.12 20.11.12 10.01.12 30.03.12 01.07.12 28.07.12
Thailand 17.03.12 18.11.12 26.12.11 18.03.12 09.07.12 05.08.12
Timor-Leste 01.11.10 30.06.11 04.04.10 26.06.10 04.07.10 31.07.10
Turkmenistan 10.04.12 30.11.12 15.01.12 31.03.12 01.07.12 31.07.12
United Arab Emirates 15.09.11 30.07.12 03.08.11 24.10.11 03.01.12 30.01.12
Uzbekistan 05.03.12 04.11.12 15.12.11 05.03.12 11.07.12 10.08.12
Vietnam 01.12.11 15.08.12 12.10.11 03.01.12 30.03.12 26.04.12
Yemen 15.02.12 15.06.12 25.10.11 20.12.11 01.04.12 30.04.12
Current season dates and registration periods 169
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Australia 01.10.12 30.04.13 09.08.12 31.10.12 14.01.13 11.02.13
Bahrain 21.09.12 31.05.13 10.07.12 20.09.12 02.01.13 29.01.13

A7 Intermediaries
Bangladesh 01.09.12 31.07.13 16.08.12 30.10.12 10.01.13 23.01.13
Bhutan 01.05.13 30.09.13 01.02.13 05.04.13 01.07.13 31.07.13
China PR 09.03.13 03.11.13 01.01.13 28.02.13 01.07.13 25.07.13
Chinese Taipei 11.04.13 30.10.13 08.01.13 31.03.13 01.08.13 28.08.13
Guam N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hong Kong 01.07.12 30.06.13 12.07.12 03.10.12 02.01.13 29.01.13

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

India 01.07.12 30.06.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 16.01.13 15.02.13
Indonesia 09.02.13 31.01.14 01.09.12 23.11.12 17.06.13 14.07.13
Iran 28.07.12 28.05.13 13.05.12 22.07.12 03.12.12 22.12.12
Iraq 11.10.12 25.06.13 01.08.12 10.10.12 05.02.13 04.03.13
Japan 01.02.12 31.01.13 07.01.12 30.03.12 16.07.12 15.08.12
Jordan 21.07.12 01.06.13 01.07.12 16.08.12 01.01.13 09.01.13
Korea Republic 01.03.13 07.12.13 02.01.13 26.03.13 01.07.13 31.07.13
Kuwait 03.09.12 31.05.13 22.07.12 16.09.12 03.01.13 31.01.13
Kyrgyzstan 21.03.13 09.11.13 26.01.13 19.04.13 01.08.13 29.08.13
Lebanon 28.09.12 30.06.13 07.07.12 25.09.12 26.12.12 22.01.13

A5 Contracts
Malaysia 05.01.13 09.11.13 28.10.12 06.12.12 08.04.13 22.04.13
Maldives 21.03.13 26.10.13 15.12.12 06.03.13 15.06.13 04.07.13
Mongolia N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Myanmar 05.01.13 22.09.13 01.12.12 20.02.13 25.05.13 23.06.13

A4 Player characteristics
Nepal 01.04.12 31.03.13 05.04.12 25.06.12 01.11.12 28.11.12
Oman 26.07.12 10.05.13 14.07.12 02.10.12 01.01.13 28.01.13
Pakistan 01.03.13 01.12.13 01.01.14 31.01.14 01.05.14 29.05.14
Palestine 21.08.12 31.05.13 01.06.12 15.08.12 01.01.13 28.01.13
Philippines N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Qatar 15.09.12 15.05.13 09.07.12 30.09.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Saudi Arabia 02.08.12 30.05.13 19.05.12 25.07.12 03.01.13 30.01.13

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Singapore 17.02.13 08.11.13 02.01.13 22.03.13 03.06.13 28.06.13
Syria 14.10.12 14.04.13 29.07.12 13.10.12 07.01.13 04.02.13
Tajikistan 05.04.13 25.11.13 15.01.13 05.04.13 16.07.13 15.08.13
Thailand 02.03.13 03.11.13 20.12.12 13.03.13 27.06.13 25.07.13
Timor-Leste N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Turkmenistan 06.04.13 30.11.13 15.01.13 31.03.13 01.07.13 31.07.13
United Arab Emirates 31.08.12 30.05.13 10.07.12 01.10.12 08.01.13 04.02.13
Uzbekistan 02.03.13 01.12.13 07.01.13 10.03.13 10.07.13 09.08.13
Vietnam 01.01.13 18.08.13 25.10.12 16.01.13 02.05.13 29.05.13
Yemen 20.10.12 20.06.13 18.10.12 31.12.12 01.04.13 30.04.13
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A2 Africa
170 Previous season dates and registration periods
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Algeria 01.07.11 30.06.12 03.07.11 25.08.11 01.01.12 30.01.12
Angola 04.02.12 11.11.12 15.12.11 29.02.12 01.06.12 30.06.12
Benin 05.11.11 30.07.12 05.12.11 23.01.12 19.03.12 16.04.12
Botswana 07.08.11 22.05.12 15.06.11 02.09.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Burkina Faso 15.10.11 05.08.12 06.08.11 28.10.11 23.05.12 07.06.12
Burundi 05.11.11 13.08.12 08.08.11 28.10.11 05.03.12 31.03.12
Cameroon 29.09.11 31.07.12 29.09.11 17.12.11 28.02.12 27.03.12
Cape Verde Islands 01.10.11 31.07.12 01.10.11 17.12.11 01.03.12 25.03.12
Chad 15.01.12 31.07.12 10.01.12 08.02.12 05.07.12 02.08.12
Comoros 07.04.12 30.11.12 25.01.12 07.04.12 15.07.12 10.08.12
Congo 01.10.11 12.08.12 05.09.11 27.11.11 02.02.12 29.02.12
Congo DR 01.11.11 31.08.12 01.11.11 20.01.12 02.05.12 31.05.12
Côte d'Ivoire 01.12.11 31.10.12 05.12.11 24.02.12 16.04.12 14.05.12
Djibouti 14.10.11 22.06.12 01.09.11 23.11.11 01.02.12 01.03.12
Egypt 20.07.11 15.05.12 17.07.11 08.10.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Eritrea 01.09.11 31.08.12 06.01.12 25.02.12 01.09.12 30.09.12
Ethiopia 16.10.10 07.07.11 25.07.10 15.10.10 11.01.11 10.02.11
Gabon 01.10.11 24.06.12 10.09.11 20.11.11 21.01.12 18.02.12
Gambia 30.11.11 30.06.12 01.11.11 15.11.11 07.02.12 27.02.12
Ghana 07.08.11 16.05.12 09.05.11 29.07.11 02.01.12 01.02.12
Guinea 18.11.11 28.07.12 10.08.11 31.10.11 01.03.12 31.03.12
Guinea-Bissau 22.10.11 24.06.12 22.10.11 25.12.11 20.03.12 16.04.12
Kenya 18.02.12 18.11.12 01.01.12 31.01.12 01.06.12 30.06.12
Liberia 20.08.11 23.06.12 31.07.12 30.08.12 08.01.13 07.02.13
Libya 05.08.11 15.05.12 01.07.11 15.09.11 01.12.11 25.12.11
Madagascar 01.12.11 30.11.12 01.12.11 31.01.12 01.07.12 31.07.12
Malawi 05.05.12 16.12.12 19.03.12 04.05.12 30.07.12 29.08.12
Mali 01.10.11 31.07.12 01.09.12 15.10.12 01.02.13 28.02.13
Mauritania 01.10.11 31.07.12 12.10.11 31.12.11 05.02.12 14.02.12
Mauritius 01.01.11 31.12.11 27.12.10 31.01.11 01.07.11 15.07.11
Morocco 20.06.11 19.06.12 21.06.11 12.09.11 17.12.11 13.01.12
Mozambique 05.01.12 30.11.12 08.01.12 31.03.12 01.06.12 30.06.12
Namibia 13.08.11 02.06.12 13.06.11 26.08.11 09.01.12 03.02.12
Niger 01.11.11 30.08.12 01.11.11 03.12.11 08.06.11 30.06.11
Nigeria 10.09.11 13.05.12 01.08.11 23.10.11 02.01.12 30.01.12
Rwanda 10.09.11 23.06.12 23.06.11 08.09.11 10.01.12 08.02.12
São Tomé e Príncipe 03.03.12 20.12.12 10.03.12 30.04.12 20.08.12 17.09.12
Senegal 18.11.11 25.08.12 03.10.11 20.12.11 23.01.12 20.02.12
Seychelles 26.02.11 31.10.11 01.12.10 17.02.11 01.08.11 31.08.11
Sierra Leone 15.10.11 07.07.12 15.08.11 31.10.11 05.01.12 30.01.12
Somalia 20.06.11 31.12.11 01.11.10 16.01.11 01.07.11 31.07.11
South Africa 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Sudan 21.12.11 30.11.12 01.06.12 10.06.12 01.12.12 20.12.12
Swaziland 18.07.11 30.05.12 18.07.11 30.09.11 05.01.12 03.02.12
Tanzania 01.06.11 31.05.12 01.06.11 31.07.11 01.11.11 30.11.11
Togo 10.09.11 31.07.12 05.07.11 09.09.11 05.01.12 04.02.12
Tunisia 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 31.08.11 19.12.11 15.01.12
Uganda 01.08.11 16.06.12 13.06.11 04.09.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Zimbabwe 17.03.12 30.11.12 01.01.12 24.03.12 01.07.12 31.07.12
Current season dates and registration periods 171
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Algeria 01.07.12 30.06.13 03.06.12 16.08.12 16.12.12 15.01.13
Angola 04.02.13 11.11.13 15.12.12 28.02.13 01.06.13 30.06.13

A7 Intermediaries
Benin 31.07.12 30.07.13 29.07.12 12.10.12 05.01.13 04.02.13
Botswana 08.08.12 17.05.13 02.07.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Burkina Faso 20.10.12 05.08.13 06.12.12 06.02.13 05.03.13 31.03.13
Burundi 01.10.12 01.07.13 01.08.12 20.10.12 02.01.13 27.01.13
Cameroon 01.12.12 31.10.13 01.12.12 22.02.13 05.07.13 04.08.13
Cape Verde Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Chad 15.01.13 31.07.13 05.01.13 03.02.13 03.07.13 31.07.13
Comoros 15.03.13 30.11.13 20.01.13 31.03.13 10.07.13 05.08.13
Congo 17.02.13 18.08.13 15.01.13 24.02.13 07.04.13 21.04.13
Congo DR 01.11.12 31.08.13 01.11.12 20.01.13 02.05.13 31.05.13
Côte d'Ivoire 01.11.12 31.08.13 03.09.12 23.11.12 21.01.13 15.02.13
Djibouti 07.12.12 28.06.13 23.11.12 14.01.13 15.03.13 10.04.13
Egypt 15.08.12 30.05.13 17.06.12 08.09.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Eritrea 01.09.12 31.08.13 06.01.13 25.02.13 01.09.13 30.09.13
Ethiopia 28.10.12 07.07.13 08.07.12 29.09.12 23.01.13 22.02.13
Gabon 29.09.12 29.06.13 05.08.12 25.10.12 25.12.12 20.01.13

A5 Contracts
Gambia N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ghana 14.10.12 02.06.13 23.07.12 14.10.12 04.01.13 02.02.13
Guinea 18.11.12 28.07.13 10.08.12 31.10.12 01.03.13 31.03.13
Guinea-Bissau N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

A4 Player characteristics
Kenya 09.02.13 17.11.13 01.12.12 31.01.13 01.06.13 30.06.13
Liberia 16.12.12 30.06.13 20.11.12 20.12.12 01.03.13 31.03.13
Libya 28.09.12 30.06.13 15.07.12 20.09.12 15.12.12 14.01.13
Madagascar 01.12.12 30.11.13 01.12.12 31.01.13 01.07.13 31.07.13
Malawi 04.05.13 15.12.13 19.03.13 03.05.13 29.07.13 28.08.13
Mali 01.10.13 31.07.14 15.09.13 15.11.13 01.02.14 28.02.14
Mauritania 31.08.12 31.07.13 01.09.12 05.11.12 10.02.13 07.03.13

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Mauritius 01.07.12 30.06.13 01.07.12 31.08.12 20.12.12 15.01.13
Morocco 01.07.12 30.06.13 01.07.12 19.09.12 17.12.12 13.01.13
Mozambique 03.01.13 30.11.13 07.01.13 30.03.13 03.06.13 02.07.13
Namibia 18.08.12 08.06.13 23.07.12 21.09.12 07.01.13 02.02.13
Niger 01.10.12 30.10.13 01.11.12 15.12.12 17.03.13 05.04.13
Nigeria 21.07.12 20.07.13 01.08.12 30.09.12 01.02.13 28.02.13
Rwanda 10.09.12 23.06.13 23.06.12 08.09.12 05.01.13 30.01.13
São Tomé e Príncipe N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Senegal 01.12.12 31.07.13 26.10.12 31.12.12 15.03.13 02.04.13
Seychelles N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Sierra Leone N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Somalia N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
South Africa 01.07.12 30.06.13 01.07.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Sudan 21.12.12 30.11.13 01.06.13 10.06.13 01.12.13 20.12.13
Swaziland 16.07.12 30.05.13 16.07.12 28.09.12 07.01.13 01.02.13
Tanzania 01.06.12 31.05.13 15.06.12 06.09.12 15.11.12 15.12.12
Togo 01.08.12 31.07.13 01.07.12 05.09.12 05.01.13 04.02.13
Tunisia 01.07.12 30.06.13 01.07.12 15.09.12 19.12.12 15.01.13
Uganda 01.08.12 30.06.13 02.07.12 23.09.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Zimbabwe 02.03.13 28.11.13 01.01.13 25.03.13 01.07.13 31.07.13
 A2 North America
172 Previous season dates and registration periods
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Anguilla 02.09.11 27.03.12 01.08.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Antigua and Barbuda 18.09.11 29.02.12 01.08.11 16.09.11 01.03.12 31.03.12
Aruba 01.09.11 01.07.12 15.07.11 30.09.11 01.01.12 25.01.12
Bahamas 16.01.11 26.06.11 04.12.10 14.01.11 25.03.11 08.04.11
Barbados 26.02.12 31.07.12 04.02.12 10.02.12 16.04.12 30.04.12
Belize 01.07.11 30.06.12 08.07.11 29.09.11 18.01.12 14.02.12
Bermuda 01.09.11 30.04.12 01.05.11 15.07.11 15.11.11 30.11.11
British Virgin Islands 01.01.11 31.07.11 01.01.11 15.02.11 01.07.11 31.07.11
Canada 01.03.12 03.12.12 24.01.12 16.04.12 27.06.12 27.07.12
Cayman Islands 04.09.11 06.05.12 25.07.11 30.09.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Costa Rica 24.07.11 13.05.12 28.06.11 19.09.11 05.01.12 01.02.12
Curaçao 30.10.11 24.06.12 30.10.11 12.12.11 19.12.11 31.12.11
Dominica 01.07.10 31.05.11 01.05.10 30.06.10 01.12.10 22.12.10
Dominican Republic 31.07.12 02.10.12 21.08.12 01.11.12 08.03.12 05.04.12
El Salvador 06.08.11 27.05.12 15.07.11 16.09.11 04.01.12 31.01.12
Grenada 07.05.11 04.12.11 01.03.11 30.04.11 01.08.11 31.08.11
Guatemala 01.07.11 30.06.12 20.06.11 09.09.11 05.01.12 03.02.12
Guyana 07.08.11 31.05.12 15.06.11 31.07.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Haiti 01.01.12 31.12.12 26.12.11 18.03.12 09.07.12 05.08.12
Honduras 06.08.11 27.05.12 12.06.11 27.08.11 03.01.12 24.01.12
Jamaica 28.08.11 06.05.12 01.07.11 02.09.11 02.01.12 31.01.12
Mexico 01.06.11 31.05.12 14.06.11 05.09.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Montserrat 01.08.11 30.04.12 01.08.11 31.08.11 01.11.11 30.11.11
Nicaragua 07.08.11 24.06.12 27.06.11 13.09.11 09.01.12 08.02.12
Panama 15.07.11 19.05.12 04.06.11 26.08.11 05.01.12 03.02.12
Puerto Rico 01.04.12 30.11.12 13.02.12 04.05.12 02.07.12 31.07.12
St. Kitts and Nevis 04.09.11 26.05.12 01.08.11 10.09.11 01.01.12 15.01.12
St. Lucia 01.04.12 30.12.12 01.01.12 30.01.12 01.09.12 30.09.12
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 15.08.12 31.12.12 01.05.12 30.06.12 01.12.12 31.12.12
Trinidad and Tobago 05.08.11 27.04.12 09.05.11 25.07.11 30.11.11 28.12.11
Turks and Caicos Islands 24.09.11 05.05.12 09.07.11 30.09.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
US Virgin Islands 08.08.11 27.02.12 01.05.11 23.07.11 13.12.11 06.01.12
USA 25.03.12 20.11.12 24.01.12 16.04.12 27.06.12 27.07.12
Current season dates and registration periods 173
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Anguilla N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Antigua and Barbuda 20.08.12 31.03.13 29.06.12 14.09.12 11.03.13 08.04.13

A7 Intermediaries
Aruba 01.09.12 01.07.13 15.07.12 30.09.12 01.01.13 25.01.13
Bahamas N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Barbados N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Belize 01.07.12 30.06.13 08.07.12 29.09.12 18.01.13 14.02.13
Bermuda 01.09.12 30.04.13 01.05.12 15.07.12 15.11.12 30.11.12
British Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Canada 01.03.13 07.12.13 12.02.13 06.05.13 09.07.13 08.08.13
Cayman Islands 01.09.12 31.05.13 01.08.12 30.09.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Costa Rica 22.07.12 19.05.13 26.06.12 17.09.12 03.01.13 02.02.13
Curaçao N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominica N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominican Republic 31.07.13 02.10.13 21.08.13 01.11.13 08.03.13 05.04.13
El Salvador 14.07.12 31.05.13 15.06.12 31.08.12 02.01.13 31.01.13
Grenada N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guatemala 01.07.12 30.06.13 03.07.12 24.09.12 04.01.13 03.02.13
Guyana N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

A5 Contracts
Haiti 01.01.13 31.12.13 07.01.13 31.03.13 22.07.13 18.08.13
Honduras 21.07.12 31.05.13 02.06.12 24.08.12 02.01.13 30.01.13
Jamaica 26.08.12 05.05.13 02.07.12 24.08.12 02.01.13 31.01.13
Mexico 01.06.12 31.05.13 14.06.12 05.09.12 01.01.13 31.01.13

A4 Player characteristics
Montserrat 01.08.12 30.04.13 01.08.12 31.08.12 01.11.12 30.11.12
Nicaragua 22.07.12 02.06.13 03.07.12 26.08.12 31.12.12 30.01.13
Panama 13.07.12 31.05.13 18.06.12 09.09.12 07.01.13 06.02.13
Puerto Rico 01.04.13 30.11.13 12.02.13 06.05.13 09.07.13 08.08.13
St. Kitts and Nevis N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Lucia N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 15.08.13 31.12.13 01.05.13 30.06.13 01.12.13 31.12.13

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Trinidad and Tobago 17.08.12 17.05.13 25.05.12 10.08.12 17.12.12 15.01.13
Turks and Caicos Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
US Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
USA 15.02.13 15.12.13 12.02.13 06.05.13 09.07.13 08.08.13
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A2 South America
174 Previous season dates and registration periods
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Argentina 11.07.11 17.02.12 11.07.11 30.09.11 23.01.12 17.02.12
Bolivia 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 22.09.11 07.01.12 04.02.12
Brazil 15.01.12 02.12.12 12.01.12 04.04.12 20.06.12 20.07.12
Chile 27.01.12 05.12.12 23.12.11 15.03.12 26.06.12 26.07.12
Colombia 22.12.11 16.12.12 22.12.11 10.02.12 16.07.12 10.08.12
Ecuador 05.02.12 09.12.12 11.01.12 30.03.12 05.07.12 02.08.12
Paraguay 01.01.12 31.12.12 19.12.11 10.02.12 09.07.12 03.08.12
Peru 11.02.12 16.12.12 10.01.12 02.04.12 31.07.12 30.08.12
Uruguay 01.08.11 31.07.12 27.06.11 19.08.11 09.01.12 03.02.12
Venezuela 07.08.11 30.06.12 11.07.11 02.09.11 02.01.12 27.01.12
Current season dates and registration periods 175
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Argentina 16.07.12 22.02.13 16.07.12 05.10.12 28.01.13 22.02.13
Bolivia 01.07.12 30.06.13 03.07.12 24.09.12 10.01.13 07.02.13

A7 Intermediaries
Brazil 15.01.13 08.12.13 15.01.13 05.04.13 20.06.13 20.07.13
Chile 04.01.13 31.05.13 07.12.12 28.02.13 01.03.13 31.03.13
Colombia 17.12.12 22.12.13 17.12.12 15.02.13 15.07.13 09.08.13
Ecuador 05.02.13 20.12.13 11.01.13 30.03.13 05.07.13 02.08.13
Paraguay 01.01.13 31.12.13 17.12.12 22.02.13 01.07.13 31.07.13
Peru 09.02.13 18.12.13 07.01.13 29.03.13 05.08.13 04.09.13

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Uruguay 01.08.12 31.07.13 25.06.12 17.08.12 14.01.13 08.02.13
Venezuela 19.08.12 31.05.13 16.07.12 07.09.12 01.01.13 26.01.13

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A2 Oceania
176 Previous season dates and registration periods
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
American Samoa 07.07.12 15.12.12 11.06.12 24.08.12 15.10.12 29.10.12
Cook Islands 15.08.12 22.12.12 04.06.12 09.07.12 03.09.12 01.10.12
Fiji 01.02.12 31.10.12 01.12.11 17.02.12 01.07.12 15.07.12
New Caledonia 01.01.12 31.12.12 01.01.12 24.03.12 01.07.12 31.07.12
New Zealand 23.01.11 30.01.12 01.09.10 30.10.10 01.11.10 01.12.10
Papua New Guinea 01.10.11 31.03.12 01.08.11 21.10.11 02.01.12 13.01.12
Samoa 01.07.11 30.06.12 02.08.11 05.09.11 03.01.12 31.01.12
Tahiti 01.08.11 31.07.12 15.06.11 07.07.11 14.12.11 18.12.11
Tonga 10.09.11 03.03.12 20.06.11 19.08.11 03.10.11 28.10.11
Vanuatu 01.08.11 30.06.12 15.06.12 31.08.12 16.02.13 15.03.13
Current season dates and registration periods 177
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
American Samoa 29.06.13 14.12.13 10.06.13 26.08.13 14.10.13 28.10.13
Cook Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Fiji 01.11.12 30.09.13 01.11.12 30.11.12 01.04.13 15.04.13
New Caledonia 01.01.13 31.12.13 01.01.13 25.03.13 01.07.13 31.07.13
New Zealand 01.02.12 31.01.13 01.09.11 09.11.11 14.12.11 11.01.12
Papua New Guinea N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tahiti 01.08.12 31.07.13 15.05.12 15.06.12 05.12.12 15.12.12

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Tonga N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Vanuatu 01.07.12 30.06.13 15.06.13 31.08.13 16.02.14 15.03.14

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A2 Europe
178 Previous season dates and registration periods
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Andorra 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 15.09.11 15.12.11 13.01.12
Armenia 13.03.11 14.11.11 01.06.11 23.08.11 22.02.11 21.03.11
Austria 01.07.11 30.06.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Azerbaijan 30.07.11 25.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 13.01.12 10.02.12
Belarus 24.03.12 25.11.12 02.01.12 23.03.12 24.07.12 20.08.12
Belgium 01.07.11 30.06.12 15.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Bosnia-Herzegovina 06.08.11 28.05.12 06.06.11 05.08.11 06.02.12 02.03.12
Bulgaria 06.08.11 19.05.12 01.07.11 31.08.11 01.02.12 28.02.12
Croatia 01.07.11 30.06.12 15.06.11 31.08.11 12.01.12 10.02.12
Cyprus 08.08.11 16.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Czech Republic 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 22.09.11 25.01.12 21.02.12
Denmark 01.07.11 30.06.12 11.06.11 01.09.11 05.01.12 31.01.12
England 01.07.11 31.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Estonia 01.03.12 30.11.12 09.01.12 05.03.12 01.07.12 31.07.12
Faroe Islands 15.03.12 31.10.12 23.12.11 15.03.12 25.06.12 23.07.12
Finland 01.01.12 31.12.12 14.02.12 07.05.12 07.08.12 03.09.12
France 01.07.11 30.06.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
FYR Macedonia 01.08.11 29.05.12 15.06.11 15.07.11 02.01.12 31.01.12
Georgia 07.08.11 26.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 02.02.12 29.02.12
Germany 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Greece 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 31.08.11 02.01.12 31.01.12
Hungary 15.07.11 26.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 23.01.12 20.02.12
Iceland 01.05.12 01.11.12 22.02.12 15.05.12 15.07.12 31.07.12
Israel 30.07.11 31.05.12 01.07.11 22.09.11 05.01.12 02.02.12
Italy 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 31.08.11 03.01.12 31.01.12
Kazakhstan 06.03.12 15.11.12 18.01.12 01.04.12 15.06.12 12.07.12
Kosovo 13.08.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 20.08.11 20.01.12 15.02.12
Latvia 17.03.12 11.11.12 02.01.12 12.03.12 02.07.12 30.07.12
Liechtenstein 01.07.11 30.06.12 10.06.11 31.08.11 16.01.12 15.02.12
Lithuania 10.03.12 18.11.12 02.01.12 09.03.12 25.06.12 25.07.12
Luxembourg 01.07.11 30.06.12 25.05.11 31.07.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Malta 09.06.11 08.06.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Moldova 22.07.11 30.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 23.02.12 23.03.12
Montenegro 06.08.11 20.05.12 07.06.11 04.08.11 24.01.12 21.02.12
Netherlands 01.07.11 30.06.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 03.01.12 31.01.12
Northern Ireland 01.08.11 31.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Norway 01.01.12 31.12.12 08.01.12 31.03.12 01.08.12 31.08.12
Poland 01.07.11 30.06.12 19.06.11 31.08.11 30.01.12 29.02.12
Portugal 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 22.09.11 02.01.12 01.02.12
Republic of Ireland 02.03.12 05.11.12 01.12.11 22.02.12 01.07.12 31.07.12
Romania 01.07.11 30.06.12 14.06.11 05.09.11 25.01.12 23.02.12
Russia 28.11.11 05.06.12 25.01.12 08.02.12 09.02.12 24.02.12
Scotland 01.06.11 31.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Serbia 13.08.11 30.05.12 20.06.11 31.08.11 09.01.12 03.02.12
Slovakia 16.07.11 27.05.12 01.07.11 20.09.11 01.02.12 28.02.12
Slovenia 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Spain 01.07.11 30.06.12 01.07.11 31.08.11 02.01.12 31.01.12
Sweden 15.11.11 14.11.12 08.01.12 31.03.12 01.08.12 31.08.12
Switzerland 01.07.11 30.06.12 10.06.11 31.08.11 16.01.12 15.02.12
Turkey 14.06.11 01.02.12 14.06.11 05.09.11 05.01.12 01.02.12
Ukraine 01.07.11 31.05.12 24.06.11 31.08.11 31.01.12 01.03.12
Wales 08.06.11 31.05.12 09.06.11 31.08.11 01.01.12 31.01.12
Current season dates and registration periods 179
Season Period 1 Period 2
Country Start End Start End Start End
Andorra 01.07.12 30.06.13 01.07.12 15.09.12 15.12.12 14.01.13
Armenia 24.03.12 18.05.13 01.06.12 23.08.12 22.02.12 21.03.12

A7 Intermediaries
Austria 01.07.12 30.06.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Azerbaijan 04.08.12 26.05.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 12.01.13 08.02.13
Belarus 23.03.13 08.12.13 02.01.13 22.03.13 12.07.13 08.08.13
Belgium 01.07.12 30.06.13 15.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Bosnia-Herzegovina 04.08.12 26.05.13 20.06.12 03.08.12 04.02.13 01.03.13
Bulgaria 11.08.12 19.05.13 01.07.12 31.08.12 01.02.13 01.03.13

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Croatia 01.07.12 30.06.13 15.06.12 31.08.12 12.01.13 10.02.13
Cyprus 18.08.12 22.05.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Czech Republic 01.07.12 30.06.13 01.07.12 22.09.12 25.01.13 21.02.13
Denmark 01.07.12 30.06.13 16.06.12 03.09.12 05.01.13 31.01.13
England 01.07.12 31.05.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Estonia 09.03.13 30.11.13 02.01.13 08.03.13 01.07.13 31.07.13
Faroe Islands 15.03.13 31.10.13 28.12.12 21.03.13 24.06.13 22.07.13
Finland 01.01.13 31.12.13 12.02.13 06.05.13 06.08.13 02.09.13
France 01.07.12 30.06.13 13.06.12 04.09.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
FYR Macedonia 01.08.12 29.05.13 10.06.12 31.08.12 02.01.13 31.01.13

A5 Contracts
Georgia 10.08.12 26.05.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 05.02.13 04.03.13
Germany 01.07.12 30.06.13 01.07.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Greece 01.07.12 30.06.13 02.07.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Hungary 27.07.12 26.05.13 11.06.12 31.08.12 24.01.13 21.02.13

A4 Player characteristics
Iceland 20.02.13 01.11.13 21.02.13 15.05.13 15.07.13 31.07.13
Israel 30.07.12 31.05.13 01.07.12 20.09.12 09.01.13 05.02.13
Italy 01.07.12 30.06.13 01.07.12 31.08.12 03.01.13 31.01.13
Kazakhstan 03.03.13 30.11.13 14.01.13 30.03.13 14.06.13 11.07.13
Kosovo 18.08.12 30.06.13 02.07.12 17.08.12 21.01.13 15.02.13
Latvia 21.01.13 17.11.13 21.01.13 21.03.13 24.06.13 22.07.13
Liechtenstein 01.07.12 30.06.13 10.06.12 31.08.12 16.01.13 15.02.13

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Lithuania 09.03.13 23.11.13 05.02.13 31.03.13 24.06.13 24.07.13
Luxembourg 01.07.12 30.06.13 25.05.12 31.07.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Malta 09.06.12 08.06.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Moldova 22.07.12 30.05.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 18.02.13 18.03.13
Montenegro 14.08.12 01.06.13 07.06.12 04.08.12 24.01.13 21.02.13
Netherlands 01.07.12 30.06.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 03.01.13 31.01.13
Northern Ireland 01.08.12 31.05.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Norway 01.01.13 31.12.13 14.01.13 05.04.13 15.07.13 11.08.13
Poland 01.07.12 30.06.13 19.06.12 31.08.12 01.02.13 28.02.13
Portugal 01.07.12 30.06.13 02.07.12 21.09.12 02.01.13 01.02.13
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Republic of Ireland 08.03.13 03.11.13 01.12.12 22.02.13 01.07.13 31.07.13

Romania 01.07.12 30.06.13 12.06.12 03.09.12 28.01.13 25.02.13
Russia 05.07.12 05.06.13 18.06.12 06.09.12 28.01.13 27.02.13
Scotland 01.06.12 31.05.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Serbia 11.08.12 01.06.13 18.06.12 31.08.12 14.01.13 08.02.13
Slovakia 14.07.12 26.05.13 01.07.12 20.09.12 01.02.13 28.02.13
Slovenia 01.07.12 30.06.13 15.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
Spain 01.07.12 30.06.13 02.07.12 31.08.12 02.01.13 31.01.13
Sweden 01.01.13 31.12.13 10.01.13 02.04.13 15.07.13 11.08.13
Switzerland 01.07.12 30.06.13 10.06.12 31.08.12 16.01.13 15.02.13
Turkey 14.06.12 01.02.13 14.06.12 05.09.12 05.01.13 01.02.13
Ukraine 01.07.12 30.06.13 24.06.12 31.08.12 31.01.13 01.03.13
Wales 08.06.12 31.05.13 09.06.12 31.08.12 01.01.13 31.01.13
180
 A3
181

A7 Intermediaries
A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Market activity and
mobility patterns

A5 Contracts
The following tables provide data on

international transfer activity at country level.

A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Note 1: Information that is based on single player transfers has been

excluded from tables to comply with data protection rules.

Note 2: Multiple countries are listed as the top originating/destination

A2 Global transfer market calendar

countries of incoming/outgoing transfers where several originating/

destination countries of incoming/outgoing transfers showed an equal
number of transfers.

Note 3: ‘N/A’ refers to countries with zero incoming or outgoing transfers in

2012, where no top originating/destination country of incoming/outgoing
transfers could be identified, or to cases where the listing of top origination/
destination countries would have led to the identification of single player
transfers.

Note 4: Kosovo is not a member association of FIFA but is contractually

bound by FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players solely
and exclusively as far as the provisions on the maintenance of contractual
stability between professional players and clubs and the use of TMS is
concerned.
 A3 Asia
182 Incoming transfers
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top originating
incoming of most incoming of most incoming of incoming country of
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus incoming transfers
2011
Australia 52 70 12 -22 New Zealand
Bahrain 56 67 10 +15 Nigeria
Bangladesh 48 77 14 +1 Morocco
Bhutan 0 136 33 0 N/A
China PR 154 24 1 +32 Brazil
Chinese Taipei 0 136 33 0 N/A
Guam 0 136 33 0 N/A
Hong Kong 37 92 21 -4 Brazil
India 71 55 6 -1 Nigeria
Indonesia 13 110 28 -41 Singapore
Iran 47 79 16 -11 Brazil
Iraq 53 69 11 +41 Syria
Japan 109 36 4 +20 Brazil
Jordan 50 74 13 -2 Syria
Korea Republic 59 65 8 -13 Brazil
Kuwait 39 87 20 -35 Brazil
Kyrgyzstan 9 117 29 +3 Brazil, Russia
Lebanon 42 85 19 +11 Côte d'Ivoire, Syria
Malaysia 62 64 7 +28 Thailand, Croatia
Maldives 16 107 25 +4 Bangladesh, Ghana
Mongolia 0 136 33 0 N/A
Myanmar 15 108 26 -8 Thailand
Nepal 37 92 21 -24 Nigeria
Oman 122 30 3 -14 Morocco
Pakistan 0 136 33 0 N/A
Palestine 2 133 32 -7 N/A
Philippines 0 136 33 0 N/A
Qatar 48 77 14 -10 Brazil
Saudi Arabia 58 66 9 +5 Brazil
Singapore 44 82 17 -12 Japan
Syria 8 118 30 +2 Brazil
Tajikistan 35 94 23 +13 Ghana
Thailand 131 28 2 -3 Korea Republic
Timor-Leste 0 136 33 0 N/A
Turkmenistan 7 120 31 +1 Uzbekistan
United Arab Emirates 93 42 5 +11 Brazil
Uzbekistan 44 82 17 -6 Russia
Vietnam 15 108 26 -72 Thailand
Yemen 24 97 24 +24 Nigeria
Outgoing transfers 183
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top destination country
outgoing of most outgoing of most outgoing of outgoing of outgoing transfers
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus
2011
Australia 86 43 4 -3 England

A7 Intermediaries
Bahrain 33 87 15 -7 Oman
Bangladesh 11 115 23 +2 Brazil, Maldives
Bhutan 0 151 34 -1 N/A
China PR 90 41 3 +2 Brazil
Chinese Taipei 2 144 32 +1 China PR

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Guam 0 151 34 0 N/A
Hong Kong 25 93 18 +18 Brazil
India 16 106 21 -8 Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago
Indonesia 24 94 19 +4 Bahrain, Thailand
Iran 71 50 6 +5 Brazil
Iraq 4 138 30 +1 N/A
Japan 112 32 2 +4 Brazil
Jordan 27 91 17 -7 Bahrain, Iraq
Korea Republic 114 29 1 -9 Japan
Kuwait 31 90 16 -39 Morocco

A5 Contracts
Kyrgyzstan 5 132 26 -4 Kazakhstan
Lebanon 20 99 20 +4 Brazil
Malaysia 16 106 21 +11 Thailand
Maldives 3 140 31 -2 Sri Lanka

A4 Player characteristics
Mongolia 0 151 34 0 N/A
Myanmar 10 117 24 -4 Brazil
Nepal 2 144 32 -2 N/A
Oman 46 74 11 -3 Tunisia
Pakistan 0 151 34 -2 N/A
Palestine 5 132 26 +1 Jordan
Philippines 0 151 34 -4 N/A

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Qatar 52 67 9 +10 Brazil
Saudi Arabia 55 63 8 +3 Portugal
Singapore 34 83 13 +16 China PR
Syria 58 61 7 +1 Jordan
Tajikistan 5 132 26 +2 Ukraine
Thailand 47 73 10 +23 Brazil
Timor-Leste 0 151 34 0 N/A
Turkmenistan 5 132 26 +3 Uzbekistan
United Arab Emirates 74 46 5 +20 Brazil
Uzbekistan 45 76 12 -5 Ukraine
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Vietnam 34 83 13 -1 Brazil
Yemen 10 117 24 +2 Egypt
 A3 Africa
184 Incoming transfers
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top originating
incoming of most incoming of most incoming of incoming country of
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus incoming transfers
2011
Algeria 54 68 5 +8 France
Angola 19 105 14 -12 Portugal
Benin 0 136 31 -3 N/A
Botswana 11 113 17 -9 Zimbabwe
Burkina Faso 0 136 31 -4 N/A
Burundi 5 125 23 +2 Rwanda
Cameroon 20 104 13 +10 France, Nigeria, Niger
Cape Verde Islands 0 136 31 0 N/A
Chad 5 125 23 +5 Cameroon
Comoros 0 136 31 0 N/A
Congo 0 136 31 0 N/A
Congo DR 12 112 16 +4 Brazil
Côte d'Ivoire 38 89 7 +29 Ghana
Djibouti 0 136 31 0 N/A
Egypt 80 49 2 +1 Nigeria, Ghana
Eritrea 0 136 31 0 N/A
Ethiopia 5 125 23 -27 Cameroon
Gabon 7 120 19 -7 N/A
Gambia 0 136 31 0 N/A
Ghana 52 70 6 +14 Côte d'Ivoire
Guinea 0 136 31 0 N/A
Guinea-Bissau 0 136 31 0 N/A
Kenya 23 98 9 +15 Uganda
Liberia 4 131 28 +3 Israel
Libya 3 132 29 -35 N/A
Madagascar 0 136 31 0 N/A
Malawi 0 136 31 0 N/A
Mali 0 136 31 0 N/A
Mauritania 0 136 31 0 N/A
Mauritius 2 133 30 2 Ghana
Morocco 74 52 3 +15 Côte d'Ivoire
Mozambique 22 101 12 -9 Zimbabwe
Namibia 5 125 23 0 South Africa
Niger 6 123 21 +4 Gabon
Nigeria 7 120 19 +5 Ghana
Rwanda 23 98 9 +5 Uganda
São Tomé e Príncipe 0 136 31 0 N/A
Senegal 6 123 21 -16 Norway
Seychelles 0 136 31 0 N/A
Sierra Leone 0 136 31 0 N/A
Somalia 0 136 31 0 N/A
South Africa 72 54 4 +24 Zimbabwe
Sudan 5 125 23 0 N/A
Swaziland 26 95 8 -1 South Africa
Tanzania 19 105 14 -4 Kenya
Togo 0 136 31 0 N/A
Tunisia 121 31 1 +52 Libya
Uganda 23 98 9 +14 Vietnam
Zimbabwe 11 113 17 -7 Zambia
Outgoing transfers 185
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top destination country
outgoing of most outgoing of most outgoing of outgoing of outgoing transfers
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus
2011
Algeria 22 96 13 -3 France

A7 Intermediaries
Angola 17 100 15 0 Brazil
Benin 10 117 23 +6 Côte d'Ivoire
Botswana 7 128 30 -6 South Africa
Burkina Faso 17 100 15 -6 Ghana
Burundi 5 132 34 -1 Rwanda

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Cameroon 70 51 5 -2 Nepal
Cape Verde Islands 3 140 37 +1 Portugal
Chad 2 144 40 +2 N/A
Comoros 0 151 42 0 N/A
Congo 8 124 26 -2 Lebanon
Congo DR 17 100 15 +3 Belgium
Côte d'Ivoire 75 44 3 +30 Morocco
Djibouti 0 151 42 0 N/A
Egypt 72 49 4 +37 Oman
Eritrea 0 151 42 0 N/A

A5 Contracts
Ethiopia 5 132 34 -6 Uganda
Gabon 16 106 20 +12 France
Gambia 6 129 31 -1 Tunisia
Ghana 92 40 2 -16 Tajikistan

A4 Player characteristics
Guinea 17 100 15 +8 Tunisia
Guinea-Bissau 2 144 40 +1 N/A
Kenya 15 110 22 -20 Nepal, Tanzania
Liberia 9 120 24 -13 Egypt
Libya 59 58 7 -38 Tunisia
Madagascar 3 140 37 +1 France
Malawi 3 140 37 -2 South Africa

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Mali 17 100 15 -1 Tunisia
Mauritania 0 151 42 0 N/A
Mauritius 0 151 42 0 N/A
Morocco 64 55 6 +3 Oman
Mozambique 8 124 26 +3 Portugal
Namibia 4 138 36 -2 South Africa
Niger 6 129 31 -4 Morocco, Cameroon
Nigeria 203 13 1 +64 India
Rwanda 16 106 20 +9 Burundi
São Tomé e Príncipe 0 151 42 0 N/A
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Senegal 39 80 10 +4 Norway
Seychelles 0 151 42 0 N/A
Sierra Leone 8 124 26 -2 Sweden
Somalia 0 151 42 0 N/A
South Africa 42 77 9 -25 Swaziland
Sudan 8 124 26 0 Uganda, Egypt
Swaziland 6 129 31 +2 South Africa
Tanzania 21 98 14 +7 Kenya
Togo 9 120 24 -1 Ghana
Tunisia 59 58 7 -1 Oman
Uganda 34 83 11 -5 Rwanda
Zimbabwe 26 92 12 1 South Africa
 A3 North America
186 Incoming transfers
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top originating
incoming of most incoming of most incoming of incoming country of
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus incoming transfers
2011
Anguilla 0 136 14 0 N/A
Antigua and Barbuda 5 125 13 +3 England
Aruba 0 136 14 0 N/A
Bahamas 0 136 14 0 N/A
Barbados 0 136 14 0 N/A
Belize 0 136 14 0 N/A
Bermuda 0 136 14 0 N/A
British Virgin Islands 0 136 14 0 N/A
Canada 70 58 5 -13 USA
Cayman Islands 0 136 14 0 N/A
Costa Rica 45 81 7 +17 Guatemala
Curaçao 0 136 14 0 N/A
Dominica 0 136 14 0 N/A
Dominican Republic 0 136 14 0 N/A
El Salvador 47 79 6 +9 Argentina
Grenada 0 136 14 0 N/A
Guatemala 101 39 3 +21 Costa Rica
Guyana 0 136 14 0 N/A
Haiti 0 136 14 0 N/A
Honduras 38 89 8 -6 China PR
Jamaica 8 118 12 0 USA, Vietnam
Mexico 131 28 2 +32 Argentina
Montserrat 0 136 14 0 N/A
Nicaragua 26 95 9 +5 Honduras
Panama 87 45 4 +15 Colombia
Puerto Rico 11 113 10 -39 USA
St. Kitts and Nevis 0 136 14 0 N/A
St. Lucia 0 136 14 0 N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0 136 14 0 N/A
Trinidad and Tobago 10 116 11 +1 Canada, India, Puerto Rico
Turks and Caicos Islands 0 136 14 0 N/A
US Virgin Islands 0 136 14 0 N/A
USA 225 9 1 +35 Canada
Outgoing transfers 187
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top destination country
outgoing of most outgoing of most outgoing of outgoing of outgoing transfers
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus
2011
Anguilla 0 151 16 0 N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Antigua and Barbuda 2 144 13 0 N/A
Aruba 0 151 16 0 N/A
Bahamas 0 151 16 0 N/A
Barbados 0 151 16 0 N/A
Belize 0 151 16 0 N/A

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Bermuda 0 151 16 -2 N/A
British Virgin Islands 0 151 16 0 N/A
Canada 74 46 3 +24 USA
Cayman Islands 0 151 16 0 N/A
Costa Rica 62 57 4 +31 Guatemala
Curaçao 0 151 16 0 N/A
Dominica 0 151 16 0 N/A
Dominican Republic 2 144 13 +2 N/A
El Salvador 32 88 8 +11 Guatemala
Grenada 0 151 16 -1 N/A

A5 Contracts
Guatemala 54 64 5 +3 Costa Rica
Guyana 0 151 16 0 N/A
Haiti 2 144 13 0 N/A
Honduras 49 72 6 +3 Guatemala

A4 Player characteristics
Jamaica 12 113 10 -10 USA
Mexico 108 34 2 -8 Argentina
Montserrat 0 151 16 0 N/A
Nicaragua 9 120 11 -2 Honduras
Panama 42 77 7 0 Colombia
Puerto Rico 17 100 9 -5 USA
St. Kitts and Nevis 0 151 16 0 N/A

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

St. Lucia 0 151 16 0 N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0 151 16 -1 N/A
Trinidad and Tobago 9 120 11 -14 India
Turks and Caicos Islands 0 151 16 0 N/A
US Virgin Islands 0 151 16 0 N/A
USA 191 15 1 -24 Canada
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A3 South America
188 Incoming transfers
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top originating
incoming of most incoming of most incoming of incoming country of
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus incoming transfers
2011
Argentina 289 4 2 -27 Uruguay
Bolivia 71 55 9 -16 Argentina
Brazil 696 1 1 -11 Portugal
Chile 192 16 4 +7 Argentina
Colombia 158 21 5 +20 Argentina
Ecuador 93 42 7 -3 Argentina
Paraguay 111 35 6 -29 Argentina
Peru 68 61 10 -25 Argentina
Uruguay 233 7 3 +6 Argentina
Venezuela 81 48 8 0 Colombia
Outgoing transfers 189
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top destination country
outgoing of most outgoing of most outgoing of outgoing of outgoing transfers
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus
2011
Argentina 436 3 2 -9 Chile

A7 Intermediaries
Bolivia 59 58 9 +6 Argentina
Brazil 618 1 1 -35 Portugal
Chile 145 23 5 +5 Argentina
Colombia 201 14 4 -12 Panama
Ecuador 74 46 7 0 Argentina

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Paraguay 109 33 6 -25 Argentina
Peru 63 56 8 -9 Colombia
Uruguay 256 9 3 -11 Argentina
Venezuela 53 66 10 -10 Colombia

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A3 Oceania
190 Incoming transfers
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top originating
incoming of most incoming of most incoming of incoming country of
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus incoming transfers
2011
American Samoa 0 136 1 0 N/A
Cook Islands 0 136 1 0 N/A
Fiji 0 136 1 0 N/A
New Caledonia 0 136 1 0 N/A
New Zealand 0 136 1 0 N/A
Papua New Guinea 0 136 1 0 N/A
Samoa 0 136 1 0 N/A
Tahiti 0 136 1 0 N/A
Tonga 0 136 1 0 N/A
Vanuatu 0 136 1 0 N/A
Outgoing transfers 191
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top destination country
outgoing of most outgoing of most outgoing of outgoing of outgoing transfers
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus
2011
American Samoa 0 151 2 0 N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Cook Islands 0 151 2 0 N/A
Fiji 0 151 2 -4 N/A
New Caledonia 0 151 2 0 N/A
New Zealand 15 110 1 +3 Australia
Papua New Guinea 0 151 2 0 N/A

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Samoa 0 151 2 0 N/A
Tahiti 0 151 2 0 N/A
Tonga 0 151 2 0 N/A
Vanuatu 0 151 2 0 N/A

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A3 Europe
192 Incoming transfers
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top originating
incoming of most incoming of most incoming of incoming country of
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus incoming transfers
2011
Andorra 0 136 51 0 N/A
Armenia 51 72 39 -1 Russia
Austria 78 51 32 -3 Germany
Azerbaijan 105 38 25 +3 Russia
Belarus 73 53 33 -10 Russia
Belgium 223 10 6 -34 France
Bosnia-Herzegovina 79 50 31 +18 Serbia
Bulgaria 156 22 16 +34 Cyprus
Croatia 63 63 38 -12 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cyprus 206 12 8 -29 Portugal
Czech Republic 114 33 22 +38 Slovakia
Denmark 83 47 30 +6 Norway, Sweden
England 501 2 1 +52 Scotland
Estonia 44 82 43 +7 Russia
Faroe Islands 21 102 47 -8 Denmark
Finland 90 44 28 -6 Sweden
France 227 8 5 +20 Italy
FYR Macedonia 50 74 41 +11 Serbia
Georgia 69 59 35 +11 Russia
Germany 307 3 2 +21 Austria
Greece 199 14 10 -25 Spain
Hungary 180 19 14 +48 Brazil
Iceland 51 72 39 +12 Norway
Israel 95 41 27 +12 Serbia, Cyprus
Italy 263 6 4 -24 Spain
Kazakhstan 112 34 23 +31 Russia, Serbia
Kosovo 2 133 50 +2 N/A
Latvia 67 62 37 +29 Russia
Liechtenstein 0 136 51 0 N/A
Lithuania 38 89 46 -32 Poland
Luxembourg 42 85 44 0 France
Malta 69 59 35 -12 Brazil
Moldova 117 32 21 -25 Russia
Montenegro 13 110 49 -11 Serbia
Netherlands 138 27 20 +5 Belgium
Northern Ireland 21 102 47 -5 Republic of Ireland
Norway 143 26 19 +42 Sweden
Poland 151 25 18 -28 Slovakia
Portugal 287 5 3 -10 Brazil
Republic of Ireland 39 87 45 +2 England
Romania 206 12 8 +24 Italy
Russia 156 22 16 -51 Latvia
Scotland 162 20 15 -11 England
Serbia 107 37 24 +25 Montenegro
Slovakia 71 55 34 -14 Czech Republic
Slovenia 49 76 42 +7 Croatia
Spain 218 11 7 -18 Italy
Sweden 186 17 12 -25 Norway
Switzerland 97 40 26 -24 Italy
Turkey 195 15 11 -16 Germany
Ukraine 184 18 13 +10 Russia
Wales 86 46 29 +5 England
Outgoing transfers 193
Country Number of Global ranking Regional ranking Change in number Top destination country
outgoing of most outgoing of most outgoing of outgoing of outgoing transfers
transfers transfers 2012 transfers 2012 transfers versus
2011
Andorra 0 151 51 0 N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Armenia 34 83 44 -3 Russia, Ukraine
Austria 97 38 27 +9 Germany
Azerbaijan 67 53 32 -2 Moldova
Belarus 51 70 38 -14 Ukraine
Belgium 216 12 9 +25 Netherlands

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Bosnia-Herzegovina 70 51 31 -9 Croatia
Bulgaria 113 31 23 +9 Brazil, Greece, Kazakhstan
Croatia 132 26 19 +33 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Cyprus 153 19 13 +12 Bulgaria
Czech Republic 98 37 26 -36 Slovakia
Denmark 114 29 22 +16 Norway
England 477 2 1 -1 Scotland
Estonia 22 96 47 -2 Lithuania, Norway
Faroe Islands 11 115 50 +7 Denmark
Finland 52 67 36 -2 Sweden

A5 Contracts
France 359 6 4 +9 Belgium
FYR Macedonia 35 82 43 -21 N/A
Georgia 51 70 38 -1 Azerbaijan
Germany 311 8 6 -20 Turkey

A4 Player characteristics
Greece 226 11 8 -60 Cyprus
Hungary 99 36 25 +10 Romania
Iceland 32 88 45 -15 Norway
Israel 93 39 28 +3 Belgium, Cyprus
Italy 339 7 5 +34 Brazil
Kazakhstan 46 74 40 +2 Moldova, Ukraine, Serbia
Kosovo 15 110 48 +5 N/A

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Latvia 67 53 32 +6 Russia
Liechtenstein 0 151 51 0 N/A
Lithuania 54 64 35 +6 Latvia
Luxembourg 12 113 49 +3 Germany
Malta 37 81 42 +10 Brazil
Moldova 75 44 30 -5 Ukraine
Montenegro 42 77 41 -5 Serbia
Netherlands 173 17 11 -52 Belgium
Northern Ireland 24 94 46 +5 England
Norway 105 35 24 +13 Sweden
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Poland 153 19 13 +19 Germany

Portugal 400 5 3 +22 Brazil
Republic of Ireland 58 61 34 -13 England
Romania 151 21 15 -30 Brazil
Russia 242 10 7 +39 Belarus
Scotland 167 18 12 -3 England
Serbia 184 16 10 -28 Bosnia-Herzegovina
Slovakia 124 27 20 +21 Czech Republic
Slovenia 52 67 36 -6 Italy
Spain 432 4 2 +91 England
Sweden 143 25 18 +22 Norway
Switzerland 144 24 17 +38 Germany
Turkey 122 28 21 -17 Germany, Brazil
Ukraine 146 22 16 -28 Moldova
Wales 88 42 29 +28 England
194
 A4
195

A7 Intermediaries
A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Player characteristics

The following tables provide data on the

A5 Contracts
characteristics of incoming and outgoing

players at country level.

A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
Note 1: Information that is based on single player transfers has been
excluded from all tables to comply with data protection rules.

Note 2: Multiple nationalities are listed as the top nationality represented

amongst a country’s incoming transfers where several nationalities showed
an equal number of representations.

Note 3: The category labelled ‘United Kingdom’ refers to players from

England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Note 4: ‘N/A’ refers to countries with zero incoming or outgoing transfers

in 2012, where no average age of incoming/outgoing transfers (and
corresponding rankings) and no most represented nationality amongst
A2 Global transfer market calendar

incoming/outgoing transfers could be identified. In addition, ‘N/A’ refers to

cases where the listing of most represented nationalities amongst incoming/
outgoing transfers would have led to the identification of single player
transfers.

Note 5: Kosovo is not a member association of FIFA but is contractually

bound by FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players solely
and exclusively as far as the provisions on the maintenance of contractual
stability between professional players and clubs and the use of TMS is
concerned.

Note 6: There may be differences between the global rankings of youngest

average incoming and outgoing transfers and the information provided in
Figure 21 and Figure 22 as these only include countries with a minimum of
50 incoming or outgoing transfers in 2012.
 A4 Asia
196 Incoming players
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of Most represented nationality
of incoming youngest average youngest average amongst incoming transfers
transfers incoming transfers incoming transfers
2012 2012
Australia 26.0 102 16 Australia
Bahrain 25.7 93 13 Nigeria
Bangladesh 24.6 66 9 Nigeria
Bhutan N/A N/A N/A N/A
China PR 26.3 108 21 China PR
Chinese Taipei N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guam N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hong Kong 26.4 109 22 Brazil
India 24.0 46 8 Nigeria
Indonesia 27.8 128 26 N/A
Iran 28.0 130 28 Brazil
Iraq 25.2 82 11 Syria
Japan 24.0 45 7 Brazil
Jordan 26.1 106 19 Syria
Korea Republic 26.1 103 17 Brazil
Kuwait 26.3 107 20 Brazil
Kyrgyzstan 22.3 8 1 Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon 25.5 89 12 Côte d'Ivoire
Malaysia 27.9 129 27 Brazil
Maldives 23.3 24 4 Nigeria
Mongolia N/A N/A N/A N/A
Myanmar 25.7 95 14 Brazil
Nepal 22.5 14 3 Nigeria
Oman 25.1 81 10 Brazil
Pakistan N/A N/A N/A N/A
Palestine 29.5 135 32 N/A
Philippines N/A N/A N/A N/A
Qatar 28.1 132 29 Brazil
Saudi Arabia 26.9 121 23 Brazil
Singapore 23.9 37 6 Japan
Syria 29.4 134 31 Brazil
Tajikistan 23.4 25 5 Ghana
Thailand 25.9 98 15 Korea Republic
Timor-Leste N/A N/A N/A N/A
Turkmenistan 28.4 133 30 Turkmenistan
United Arab Emirates 27.1 122 24 Brazil
Uzbekistan 27.3 125 25 Uzbekistan
Vietnam 26.1 104 18 Nigeria
Yemen 22.5 12 2 Nigeria
Outgoing players 197
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of
of outgoing youngest average youngest average
transfers outgoing transfers outgoing transfers
2012 2012
Australia 24.4 68 8

A7 Intermediaries
Bahrain 26.0 119 17
Bangladesh 25.2 92 11
Bhutan N/A N/A N/A
China PR 28.3 147 30
Chinese Taipei 21.0 13 1

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Guam N/A N/A N/A
Hong Kong 25.2 93 12
India 27.2 137 25
Indonesia 28.6 150 33
Iran 28.5 149 32
Iraq 28.0 146 29
Japan 24.2 57 6
Jordan 26.5 126 20
Korea Republic 24.5 71 9
Kuwait 27.2 138 26

A5 Contracts
Kyrgyzstan 21.4 17 2
Lebanon 27.1 134 23
Malaysia 25.6 104 14
Maldives 22.7 35 4

A4 Player characteristics
Mongolia N/A N/A N/A
Myanmar 26.1 120 18
Nepal 26.0 118 16
Oman 26.2 122 19
Pakistan N/A N/A N/A
Palestine 25.0 89 10
Philippines N/A N/A N/A

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Qatar 28.0 144 28
Saudi Arabia 27.5 139 27
Singapore 24.3 61 7
Syria 25.9 115 15
Tajikistan 22.6 33 3
Thailand 26.7 128 21
Timor-Leste N/A N/A N/A
Turkmenistan 23.0 38 5
United Arab Emirates 28.3 148 31
Uzbekistan 27.1 135 24
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Vietnam 26.9 131 22

Yemen 25.2 93 12
 A4 Africa
198 Incoming players
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of Most represented nationality
of incoming youngest average youngest average amongst incoming transfers
transfers incoming transfers incoming transfers
2012 2012
Algeria 24.5 63 21 Algeria
Angola 26.7 118 26 Portugal
Benin N/A N/A N/A N/A
Botswana 27.6 127 29 Zimbabwe
Burkina Faso N/A N/A N/A N/A
Burundi 21.4 3 3 Burundi
Cameroon 24.0 43 17 Cameroon
Cape Verde Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Chad 24.4 57 20 Cameroon
Comoros N/A N/A N/A N/A
Congo N/A N/A N/A N/A
Congo DR 24.7 68 23 Brazil, Congo DR
Côte d'Ivoire 22.3 7 6 Côte d'Ivoire
Djibouti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Egypt 23.1 20 12 Egypt
Eritrea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ethiopia 23.2 21 13 Cameroon
Gabon 24.0 43 17 Côte d'Ivoire
Gambia N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ghana 22.6 15 9 Ghana
Guinea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guinea-Bissau N/A N/A N/A N/A
Kenya 22.3 10 8 Uganda
Liberia 21.8 6 5 Liberia
Libya 27.3 126 28 Libya
Madagascar N/A N/A N/A N/A
Malawi N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mali N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mauritania N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mauritius 19.5 1 1 Ghana
Morocco 23.9 40 15 Morocco
Mozambique 25.0 79 24 Mozambique
Namibia 26.8 119 27 Namibia
Niger 22.3 8 7 Niger
Nigeria 21.7 5 4 Nigeria
Rwanda 23.5 29 14 Uganda
São Tomé e Príncipe N/A N/A N/A N/A
Senegal 20.5 2 2 Senegal
Seychelles N/A N/A N/A N/A
Sierra Leone N/A N/A N/A N/A
Somalia N/A N/A N/A N/A
South Africa 24.5 64 22 South Africa
Sudan 28.0 131 30 Sudan
Swaziland 22.9 17 10 Zimbabwe
Tanzania 23.9 41 16 Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
Togo N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tunisia 24.1 49 19 Tunisia
Uganda 23.0 18 11 Uganda
Zimbabwe 26.1 105 25 Zimbabwe
Outgoing players 199
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of
of outgoing youngest average youngest average
transfers outgoing transfers outgoing transfers
2012 2012
Algeria 25.4 99 34

A7 Intermediaries
Angola 27.6 141 41
Benin 22.9 37 25
Botswana 24.7 79 32
Burkina Faso 20.9 11 9
Burundi 22.0 24 18

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Cameroon 21.9 23 17
Cape Verde Islands 21.7 21 15
Chad 20.0 3 3
Comoros N/A N/A N/A
Congo 22.3 31 23
Congo DR 24.2 56 29
Côte d'Ivoire 21.7 22 16
Djibouti N/A N/A N/A
Egypt 25.9 114 38
Eritrea N/A N/A N/A

A5 Contracts
Ethiopia 22.2 29 22
Gabon 23.0 38 26
Gambia 20.3 6 5
Ghana 20.4 7 6

A4 Player characteristics
Guinea 19.7 2 2
Guinea-Bissau 20.0 3 3
Kenya 24.0 50 28
Liberia 21.4 18 14
Libya 25.9 111 37
Madagascar 22.0 24 18
Malawi 22.0 24 18

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Mali 20.5 8 7
Mauritania N/A N/A N/A
Mauritius N/A N/A N/A
Morocco 25.7 107 36
Mozambique 22.0 24 18
Namibia 23.8 41 27
Niger 21.2 15 12
Nigeria 21.0 13 11
Rwanda 22.6 32 24
São Tomé e Príncipe N/A N/A N/A
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Senegal 20.9 10 8
Seychelles N/A N/A N/A
Sierra Leone 18.6 1 1
Somalia N/A N/A N/A
South Africa 25.5 101 35
Sudan 27.1 136 40
Swaziland 25.0 89 33
Tanzania 24.5 72 31
Togo 21.2 16 13
Tunisia 24.4 67 30
Uganda 21.0 12 10
Zimbabwe 26.0 116 39
 A4 North America
200 Incoming players
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of Most represented nationality
of incoming youngest average youngest average amongst incoming transfers
transfers incoming transfers incoming transfers
2012 2012
Anguilla N/A N/A N/A N/A
Antigua and Barbuda 21.4 3 1 United Kingdom
Aruba N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bahamas N/A N/A N/A N/A
Barbados N/A N/A N/A N/A
Belize N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bermuda N/A N/A N/A N/A
British Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Canada 25.9 97 9 USA
Cayman Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Costa Rica 26.9 120 11 Costa Rica
Curaçao N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominica N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominican Republic N/A N/A N/A N/A
El Salvador 24.4 58 6 Colombia, El Salvador, Honduras
Grenada N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guatemala 27.3 123 12 Costa Rica
Guyana N/A N/A N/A N/A
Haiti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Honduras 27.3 124 13 Honduras
Jamaica 24.3 54 5 Jamaica
Mexico 25.2 84 8 Mexico
Montserrat N/A N/A N/A N/A
Nicaragua 23.8 34 2 Colombia, Honduras
Panama 24.1 48 4 Colombia
Puerto Rico 24.1 47 3 USA
St. Kitts and Nevis N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Lucia N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines N/A N/A N/A N/A
Trinidad and Tobago 25.2 83 7 Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
US Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
USA 25.9 99 10 USA
Outgoing players 201
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of
of outgoing youngest average youngest average
transfers outgoing transfers outgoing transfers
2012 2012
Anguilla N/A N/A N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Antigua and Barbuda 25.0 89 7
Aruba N/A N/A N/A
Bahamas N/A N/A N/A
Barbados N/A N/A N/A
Belize N/A N/A N/A

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Bermuda N/A N/A N/A
British Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A
Canada 24.4 69 4
Cayman Islands N/A N/A N/A
Costa Rica 26.7 129 13
Curaçao N/A N/A N/A
Dominica N/A N/A N/A
Dominican Republic 21.5 19 1
El Salvador 25.4 100 9
Grenada N/A N/A N/A

A5 Contracts
Guatemala 27.8 142 15
Guyana N/A N/A N/A
Haiti 22.0 24 2
Honduras 25.8 110 11

A4 Player characteristics
Jamaica 23.9 46 3
Mexico 26.9 132 14
Montserrat N/A N/A N/A
Nicaragua 25.6 103 10
Panama 25.2 98 8
Puerto Rico 26.3 123 12
St. Kitts and Nevis N/A N/A N/A

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

St. Lucia N/A N/A N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines N/A N/A N/A
Trinidad and Tobago 24.9 87 6
Turks and Caicos Islands N/A N/A N/A
US Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A
USA 24.8 84 5
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A4 South America
202 Incoming players
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of Most represented nationality
of incoming youngest average youngest average amongst incoming transfers
transfers incoming transfers incoming transfers
2012 2012
Argentina 26.5 115 9 Argentina
Bolivia 26.5 112 6 Argentina
Brazil 25.6 90 3 Brazil
Chile 25.0 78 1 Argentina
Colombia 26.5 113 7 Colombia
Ecuador 26.0 101 5 Argentina
Paraguay 25.3 86 2 Paraguay
Peru 26.5 116 10 Argentina
Uruguay 25.7 94 4 Uruguay
Venezuela 26.5 114 8 Colombia
Outgoing players 203
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of
of outgoing youngest average youngest average
transfers outgoing transfers outgoing transfers
2012 2012
Argentina 24.9 86 4

A7 Intermediaries
Bolivia 26.6 127 9
Brazil 24.3 63 1
Chile 26.2 121 7
Colombia 24.8 83 3
Ecuador 25.9 112 6

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Paraguay 25.6 105 5
Peru 26.4 124 8
Uruguay 24.6 74 2
Venezuela 26.9 133 10

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A4 Oceania
204 Incoming players
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of Most represented nationality
of incoming youngest average youngest average amongst incoming transfers
transfers incoming transfers incoming transfers
2012 2012
American Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A
Cook Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Fiji N/A N/A N/A N/A
New Caledonia N/A N/A N/A N/A
New Zealand N/A N/A N/A N/A
Papua New Guinea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tahiti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tonga N/A N/A N/A N/A
Vanuatu N/A N/A N/A N/A
Outgoing players 205
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of
of outgoing youngest average youngest average
transfers outgoing transfers outgoing transfers
2012 2012
American Samoa N/A N/A N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Cook Islands N/A N/A N/A
Fiji N/A N/A N/A
New Caledonia N/A N/A N/A
New Zealand 22.2 29 1
Papua New Guinea N/A N/A N/A

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Samoa N/A N/A N/A
Tahiti N/A N/A N/A
Tonga N/A N/A N/A
Vanuatu N/A N/A N/A

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A4 Europe
206 Incoming players
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of Most represented nationality
of incoming youngest average youngest average amongst incoming transfers
transfers incoming transfers incoming transfers
2012 2012
Andorra N/A N/A N/A N/A
Armenia 23.6 31 11 Armenia
Austria 23.8 35 14 Austria
Azerbaijan 25.6 92 45 Russia, Croatia, Brazil, Georgia
Belarus 25.1 80 40 Belarus
Belgium 23.4 26 7 France
Bosnia-Herzegovina 25.6 91 44 Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bulgaria 25.0 77 39 Bulgaria
Croatia 24.6 65 29 Croatia
Cyprus 26.6 117 50 Portugal
Czech Republic 25.0 76 38 Czech Republic
Denmark 23.2 22 5 Denmark
England 22.4 11 1 United Kingdom
Estonia 23.5 30 10 Estonia
Faroe Islands 24.2 53 22 Faroe Islands
Finland 24.7 70 32 Finland
France 24.5 61 27 France
FYR Macedonia 26.0 100 47 FYR Macedonia
Georgia 23.9 38 16 Georgia
Germany 23.7 33 13 Germany
Greece 25.4 87 42 Greece
Hungary 24.2 52 21 Hungary
Iceland 24.2 50 19 Iceland
Israel 25.0 75 37 Israel
Italy 22.5 13 2 Italy
Kazakhstan 26.4 111 49 Serbia
Kosovo 23.5 28 9 N/A
Latvia 24.4 59 25 Latvia
Liechtenstein N/A N/A N/A N/A
Lithuania 24.9 72 34 Lithuania
Luxembourg 23.8 35 14 France
Malta 26.4 110 48 Brazil
Moldova 24.2 51 20 Moldova
Montenegro 23.1 19 4 Montenegro
Netherlands 23.5 27 8 Netherlands
Northern Ireland 24.6 67 30 United Kingdom
Norway 23.7 32 12 Norway
Poland 24.8 71 33 Poland
Portugal 23.3 23 6 Brazil
Republic of Ireland 25.3 85 41 Republic of Ireland
Romania 25.0 74 36 Romania
Russia 24.5 62 28 Russia
Scotland 23.9 39 17 United Kingdom
Serbia 25.5 88 43 Serbia
Slovakia 25.8 96 46 Slovakia
Slovenia 24.9 73 35 Slovenia
Spain 24.3 55 23 Spain
Sweden 24.0 42 18 Sweden
Switzerland 22.8 16 3 Italy
Turkey 24.5 60 26 Turkey
Ukraine 24.7 69 31 Ukraine
Wales 24.3 56 24 United Kingdom
Outgoing players 207
Country Average age Global ranking of Regional ranking of
of outgoing youngest average youngest average
transfers outgoing transfers outgoing transfers
2012 2012
Andorra N/A N/A N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Armenia 25.2 97 39
Austria 24.2 55 18
Azerbaijan 27.9 143 49
Belarus 25.7 109 43
Belgium 23.9 47 11

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Bosnia-Herzegovina 23.8 43 8
Bulgaria 25.9 113 44
Croatia 24.6 73 27
Cyprus 28.0 145 50
Czech Republic 24.7 78 31
Denmark 24.2 54 17
England 24.0 51 14
Estonia 24.4 66 25
Faroe Islands 21.6 20 3
Finland 23.9 45 10

A5 Contracts
France 24.1 52 15
FYR Macedonia 23.9 49 13
Georgia 22.9 36 5
Germany 24.7 77 30

A4 Player characteristics
Greece 26.8 130 47
Hungary 24.7 80 32
Iceland 23.8 44 9
Israel 25.6 106 41
Italy 24.2 60 21
Kazakhstan 27.6 140 48
Kosovo 22.6 33 4

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Latvia 23.9 48 12
Liechtenstein N/A N/A N/A
Lithuania 23.0 40 6
Luxembourg 24.7 76 29
Malta 26.0 117 45
Moldova 24.3 64 23
Montenegro 25.5 101 40
Netherlands 24.1 53 16
Northern Ireland 20.0 5 1
Norway 24.3 65 24
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Poland 25.2 95 37
Portugal 24.8 81 33
Republic of Ireland 20.7 9 2
Romania 25.7 108 42
Russia 25.2 96 38
Scotland 24.2 59 20
Serbia 24.7 75 28
Slovakia 24.9 88 36
Slovenia 24.3 62 22
Spain 24.9 85 35
Sweden 23.8 42 7
Switzerland 24.4 70 26
Turkey 26.4 125 46
Ukraine 24.8 82 34
Wales 24.2 58 19
208
 A5
209

A7 Intermediaries
A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Contracts

The following tables provide data on

A5 Contracts
types of incoming and outgoing transfers

at country level.

A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Note 1: Information that is based on single player transfers has been

excluded from all tables to comply with data protection rules.

Note 2: ‘N/A’ refers to countries with zero incoming or outgoing transfers

in 2012, where no percentage distribution of transfer types for incoming/
outgoing transfers could be identified.

Note 3: Kosovo is not a member association of FIFA but is contractually

bound by FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players solely
and exclusively as far as the provisions on the maintenance of contractual
stability between professional players and clubs and the use of TMS is
concerned.
 A5 Asia
210 Incoming transfers
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Australia 87% 0% 13% 0%
Bahrain 89% 0% 9% 2%
Bangladesh 98% 0% 2% 0%
Bhutan N/A N/A N/A N/A
China PR 68% 21% 8% 3%
Chinese Taipei N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guam N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hong Kong 92% 3% 5% 0%
India 99% 0% 1% 0%
Indonesia 100% 0% 0% 0%
Iran 81% 4% 15% 0%
Iraq 77% 2% 21% 0%
Japan 62% 6% 27% 6%
Jordan 78% 0% 12% 10%
Korea Republic 46% 25% 25% 3%
Kuwait 85% 3% 5% 8%
Kyrgyzstan 67% 0% 33% 0%
Lebanon 81% 0% 14% 5%
Malaysia 94% 0% 6% 0%
Maldives 100% 0% 0% 0%
Mongolia N/A N/A N/A N/A
Myanmar 100% 0% 0% 0%
Nepal 97% 0% 3% 0%
Oman 93% 0% 7% 0%
Pakistan N/A N/A N/A N/A
Palestine 100% 0% 0% 0%
Philippines N/A N/A N/A N/A
Qatar 63% 21% 17% 0%
Saudi Arabia 55% 14% 24% 7%
Singapore 100% 0% 0% 0%
Syria 88% 0% 0% 13%
Tajikistan 94% 0% 6% 0%
Thailand 95% 2% 3% 0%
Timor-Leste N/A N/A N/A N/A
Turkmenistan 100% 0% 0% 0%
United Arab Emirates 62% 8% 26% 4%
Uzbekistan 82% 7% 5% 7%
Vietnam 93% 0% 7% 0%
Yemen 100% 0% 0% 0%
Outgoing transfers 211
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Australia 81% 13% 1% 5%
Bahrain 91% 0% 3% 6%

A7 Intermediaries
Bangladesh 100% 0% 0% 0%
Bhutan N/A N/A N/A N/A
China PR 81% 2% 6% 11%
Chinese Taipei 100% 0% 0% 0%
Guam N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hong Kong 88% 0% 0% 12%

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

India 94% 6% 0% 0%
Indonesia 83% 0% 13% 4%
Iran 94% 1% 0% 4%
Iraq 100% 0% 0% 0%
Japan 68% 9% 11% 13%
Jordan 70% 4% 26% 0%
Korea Republic 78% 5% 8% 9%
Kuwait 90% 0% 3% 6%
Kyrgyzstan 80% 0% 20% 0%
Lebanon 75% 0% 15% 10%

A5 Contracts
Malaysia 94% 0% 0% 6%
Maldives 100% 0% 0% 0%
Mongolia N/A N/A N/A N/A
Myanmar 90% 0% 0% 10%

A4 Player characteristics
Nepal 100% 0% 0% 0%
Oman 93% 0% 2% 4%
Pakistan N/A N/A N/A N/A
Palestine 40% 0% 40% 20%
Philippines N/A N/A N/A N/A
Qatar 83% 2% 4% 12%
Saudi Arabia 75% 7% 4% 15%

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Singapore 88% 0% 0% 12%
Syria 71% 2% 28% 0%
Tajikistan 100% 0% 0% 0%
Thailand 94% 2% 2% 2%
Timor-Leste N/A N/A N/A N/A
Turkmenistan 80% 0% 20% 0%
United Arab Emirates 73% 5% 8% 14%
Uzbekistan 87% 7% 2% 4%
Vietnam 85% 0% 3% 12%
Yemen 70% 0% 30% 0%
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A5 Africa
212 Incoming transfers
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Algeria 93% 4% 2% 2%
Angola 74% 5% 16% 5%
Benin N/A N/A N/A N/A
Botswana 91% 9% 0% 0%
Burkina Faso N/A N/A N/A N/A
Burundi 20% 0% 0% 80%
Cameroon 100% 0% 0% 0%
Cape Verde Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Chad 100% 0% 0% 0%
Comoros N/A N/A N/A N/A
Congo N/A N/A N/A N/A
Congo DR 58% 33% 0% 8%
Côte d'Ivoire 55% 18% 16% 11%
Djibouti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Egypt 86% 6% 4% 4%
Eritrea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ethiopia 60% 0% 40% 0%
Gabon 71% 29% 0% 0%
Gambia N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ghana 75% 8% 0% 17%
Guinea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guinea-Bissau N/A N/A N/A N/A
Kenya 96% 0% 4% 0%
Liberia 0% 0% 0% 100%
Libya 0% 0% 0% 100%
Madagascar N/A N/A N/A N/A
Malawi N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mali N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mauritania N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mauritius 100% 0% 0% 0%
Morocco 77% 16% 0% 7%
Mozambique 95% 0% 0% 5%
Namibia 80% 20% 0% 0%
Niger 100% 0% 0% 0%
Nigeria 57% 0% 0% 43%
Rwanda 78% 13% 9% 0%
São Tomé e Príncipe N/A N/A N/A N/A
Senegal 33% 0% 0% 67%
Seychelles N/A N/A N/A N/A
Sierra Leone N/A N/A N/A N/A
Somalia N/A N/A N/A N/A
South Africa 63% 33% 1% 3%
Sudan 60% 0% 0% 40%
Swaziland 96% 0% 4% 0%
Tanzania 89% 11% 0% 0%
Togo N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tunisia 88% 7% 4% 2%
Uganda 78% 0% 9% 13%
Zimbabwe 100% 0% 0% 0%
Outgoing transfers 213
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Algeria 86% 0% 14% 0%
Angola 82% 0% 6% 12%

A7 Intermediaries
Benin 50% 50% 0% 0%
Botswana 43% 57% 0% 0%
Burkina Faso 82% 6% 6% 6%
Burundi 40% 0% 60% 0%
Cameroon 87% 10% 3% 0%
Cape Verde Islands 100% 0% 0% 0%

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Chad 100% 0% 0% 0%
Comoros N/A N/A N/A N/A
Congo 100% 0% 0% 0%
Congo DR 47% 18% 35% 0%
Côte d'Ivoire 73% 17% 8% 1%
Djibouti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Egypt 79% 10% 10% 1%
Eritrea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ethiopia 60% 0% 0% 40%
Gabon 75% 25% 0% 0%

A5 Contracts
Gambia 67% 33% 0% 0%
Ghana 59% 27% 14% 0%
Guinea 94% 6% 0% 0%
Guinea-Bissau 100% 0% 0% 0%

A4 Player characteristics
Kenya 80% 20% 0% 0%
Liberia 78% 11% 11% 0%
Libya 83% 0% 17% 0%
Madagascar 100% 0% 0% 0%
Malawi 100% 0% 0% 0%
Mali 76% 18% 6% 0%
Mauritania N/A N/A N/A N/A

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Mauritius N/A N/A N/A N/A
Morocco 77% 5% 13% 6%
Mozambique 25% 0% 75% 0%
Namibia 100% 0% 0% 0%
Niger 83% 17% 0% 0%
Nigeria 92% 5% 3% 0%
Rwanda 63% 13% 0% 25%
São Tomé e Príncipe N/A N/A N/A N/A
Senegal 67% 21% 13% 0%
Seychelles N/A N/A N/A N/A
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Sierra Leone 25% 0% 75% 0%

Somalia N/A N/A N/A N/A
South Africa 90% 5% 2% 2%
Sudan 63% 0% 38% 0%
Swaziland 100% 0% 0% 0%
Tanzania 100% 0% 0% 0%
Togo 67% 22% 11% 0%
Tunisia 73% 19% 5% 3%
Uganda 76% 12% 9% 3%
Zimbabwe 81% 19% 0% 0%
 A5 North America
214 Incoming transfers
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Anguilla N/A N/A N/A N/A
Antigua and Barbuda 100% 0% 0% 0%
Aruba N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bahamas N/A N/A N/A N/A
Barbados N/A N/A N/A N/A
Belize N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bermuda N/A N/A N/A N/A
British Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Canada 70% 26% 3% 1%
Cayman Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Costa Rica 96% 0% 2% 2%
Curaçao N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominica N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominican Republic N/A N/A N/A N/A
El Salvador 87% 0% 6% 6%
Grenada N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guatemala 96% 0% 4% 0%
Guyana N/A N/A N/A N/A
Haiti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Honduras 84% 0% 5% 11%
Jamaica 25% 0% 0% 75%
Mexico 63% 11% 18% 9%
Montserrat N/A N/A N/A N/A
Nicaragua 96% 0% 4% 0%
Panama 79% 0% 2% 18%
Puerto Rico 91% 9% 0% 0%
St. Kitts and Nevis N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Lucia N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines N/A N/A N/A N/A
Trinidad and Tobago 100% 0% 0% 0%
Turks and Caicos Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
US Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
USA 78% 10% 9% 4%
Outgoing transfers 215
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Anguilla N/A N/A N/A N/A
Antigua and Barbuda 100% 0% 0% 0%

A7 Intermediaries
Aruba N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bahamas N/A N/A N/A N/A
Barbados N/A N/A N/A N/A
Belize N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bermuda N/A N/A N/A N/A
British Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Canada 85% 9% 3% 3%
Cayman Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Costa Rica 82% 10% 5% 3%
Curaçao N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominica N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominican Republic 100% 0% 0% 0%
El Salvador 69% 9% 22% 0%
Grenada N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guatemala 91% 2% 2% 6%
Guyana N/A N/A N/A N/A

A5 Contracts
Haiti 100% 0% 0% 0%
Honduras 80% 4% 12% 4%
Jamaica 58% 8% 33% 0%
Mexico 61% 3% 27% 9%

A4 Player characteristics
Montserrat N/A N/A N/A N/A
Nicaragua 89% 0% 0% 11%
Panama 60% 0% 38% 2%
Puerto Rico 100% 0% 0% 0%
St. Kitts and Nevis N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Lucia N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines N/A N/A N/A N/A

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Trinidad and Tobago 67% 0% 33% 0%
Turks and Caicos Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
US Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
USA 72% 13% 8% 7%
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A5 South America
216 Incoming transfers
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Argentina 52% 5% 26% 17%
Bolivia 87% 0% 11% 1%
Brazil 73% 4% 7% 16%
Chile 67% 1% 23% 9%
Colombia 73% 2% 18% 8%
Ecuador 74% 2% 17% 6%
Paraguay 79% 3% 6% 12%
Peru 78% 1% 16% 4%
Uruguay 68% 3% 7% 23%
Venezuela 90% 0% 7% 2%
Outgoing transfers 217
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Argentina 70% 4% 16% 10%
Bolivia 81% 2% 5% 12%

A7 Intermediaries
Brazil 62% 10% 21% 6%
Chile 47% 10% 23% 20%
Colombia 80% 5% 8% 7%
Ecuador 62% 7% 18% 14%
Paraguay 61% 11% 19% 8%
Peru 76% 8% 3% 13%

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Uruguay 53% 10% 33% 4%
Venezuela 70% 6% 13% 11%

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A5 Oceania
218 Incoming transfers
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
American Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A
Cook Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Fiji N/A N/A N/A N/A
New Caledonia N/A N/A N/A N/A
New Zealand N/A N/A N/A N/A
Papua New Guinea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tahiti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tonga N/A N/A N/A N/A
Vanuatu N/A N/A N/A N/A
Outgoing transfers 219
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
American Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A
Cook Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Fiji N/A N/A N/A N/A
New Caledonia N/A N/A N/A N/A
New Zealand 100% 0% 0% 0%
Papua New Guinea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tahiti N/A N/A N/A N/A

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Tonga N/A N/A N/A N/A
Vanuatu N/A N/A N/A N/A

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A5 Europe
220 Incoming transfers
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Andorra N/A N/A N/A N/A
Armenia 88% 2% 6% 4%
Austria 69% 19% 9% 3%
Azerbaijan 89% 6% 5% 1%
Belarus 78% 12% 10% 0%
Belgium 61% 18% 14% 7%
Bosnia-Herzegovina 84% 0% 16% 0%
Bulgaria 83% 8% 6% 3%
Croatia 75% 10% 10% 6%
Cyprus 89% 3% 8% 0%
Czech Republic 46% 11% 19% 23%
Denmark 53% 24% 18% 5%
England 49% 21% 12% 19%
Estonia 93% 2% 2% 2%
Faroe Islands 95% 0% 5% 0%
Finland 84% 7% 9% 0%
France 55% 23% 11% 11%
FYR Macedonia 92% 2% 4% 2%
Georgia 87% 1% 7% 4%
Germany 58% 22% 12% 8%
Greece 82% 6% 8% 5%
Hungary 83% 4% 8% 4%
Iceland 73% 2% 12% 14%
Israel 65% 9% 21% 4%
Italy 24% 30% 21% 25%
Kazakhstan 78% 10% 13% 0%
Kosovo 100% 0% 0% 0%
Latvia 78% 0% 15% 7%
Liechtenstein N/A N/A N/A N/A
Lithuania 82% 8% 3% 8%
Luxembourg 98% 2% 0% 0%
Malta 97% 1% 1% 0%
Moldova 77% 5% 6% 12%
Montenegro 38% 8% 54% 0%
Netherlands 52% 18% 27% 3%
Northern Ireland 95% 0% 5% 0%
Norway 55% 22% 21% 2%
Poland 83% 7% 6% 4%
Portugal 46% 10% 26% 18%
Republic of Ireland 87% 8% 5% 0%
Romania 76% 7% 14% 3%
Russia 39% 36% 12% 13%
Scotland 67% 2% 20% 10%
Serbia 78% 9% 4% 9%
Slovakia 45% 7% 42% 6%
Slovenia 80% 6% 6% 8%
Spain 39% 19% 32% 11%
Sweden 71% 13% 11% 5%
Switzerland 54% 23% 14% 9%
Turkey 62% 26% 11% 2%
Ukraine 72% 13% 7% 8%
Wales 44% 22% 23% 10%
Outgoing transfers 221
Country Engage out of Engage player Engage on loan Return from loan
contract transfers transfers transfers transfers
Andorra N/A N/A N/A N/A
Armenia 68% 9% 12% 12%

A7 Intermediaries
Austria 69% 12% 8% 10%
Azerbaijan 91% 0% 1% 7%
Belarus 73% 8% 8% 12%
Belgium 56% 16% 16% 11%
Bosnia-Herzegovina 80% 9% 1% 10%
Bulgaria 71% 14% 7% 8%

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Croatia 84% 8% 6% 2%
Cyprus 88% 6% 1% 5%
Czech Republic 53% 15% 21% 10%
Denmark 64% 26% 4% 6%
England 57% 12% 22% 8%
Estonia 73% 9% 18% 0%
Faroe Islands 73% 9% 9% 9%
Finland 75% 15% 2% 8%
France 70% 16% 9% 5%
FYR Macedonia 86% 14% 0% 0%

A5 Contracts
Georgia 88% 6% 4% 2%
Germany 69% 15% 11% 5%
Greece 81% 7% 4% 8%
Hungary 72% 7% 14% 7%

A4 Player characteristics
Iceland 44% 22% 19% 16%
Israel 61% 11% 11% 17%
Italy 50% 14% 28% 7%
Kazakhstan 85% 0% 2% 13%
Kosovo 100% 0% 0% 0%
Latvia 69% 10% 16% 4%
Liechtenstein N/A N/A N/A N/A

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Lithuania 80% 7% 6% 7%
Luxembourg 92% 0% 8% 0%
Malta 100% 0% 0% 0%
Moldova 67% 9% 13% 11%
Montenegro 74% 14% 5% 7%
Netherlands 61% 24% 5% 11%
Northern Ireland 83% 13% 0% 4%
Norway 59% 16% 5% 20%
Poland 72% 10% 9% 8%
Portugal 66% 10% 11% 14%
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Republic of Ireland 86% 12% 2% 0%

Romania 69% 7% 13% 12%
Russia 75% 7% 12% 6%
Scotland 61% 13% 7% 19%
Serbia 75% 11% 11% 2%
Slovakia 56% 11% 12% 21%
Slovenia 71% 25% 2% 2%
Spain 66% 9% 10% 14%
Sweden 58% 22% 8% 11%
Switzerland 69% 14% 10% 7%
Turkey 72% 5% 9% 14%
Ukraine 73% 3% 18% 5%
Wales 58% 10% 18% 14%
222
 A6
223

A7 Intermediaries
A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Club-to-club transfer
compensation

A5 Contracts
The following tables provide data on club-to-

club compensation involved in incoming and

A4 Player characteristics
outgoing transfers at country level.

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

A2 Global transfer market calendar

Note 1: Information that is based on single player transfers has been

excluded from all tables to comply with data protection rules.

Note 2: Change versus 2011 is only provided for countries reporting fixed
transfer compensation involved in incoming or outgoing transfers in 2012.

Note 3: ‘N/A’ refers to countries with zero incoming or outgoing transfers

in 2012, where no percentages of incoming/outgoing transfers with fixed
transfer compensation involved could be identified.

Note 4: Kosovo is not a member association of FIFA but is contractually

bound by FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players solely
and exclusively as far as the provisions on the maintenance of contractual
stability between professional players and clubs and the use of TMS is
concerned.
 A6 Asia
224 Spend
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest spenders of biggest transfer compensation
spend 2012 2012 spenders 2012 spend versus 2011
Australia 92,000 61 11 +92,000
Bahrain 75,000 63 12 +25,000
Bangladesh 0 74 16 0
Bhutan 0 74 16 0
China PR 49,831,000 11 1 +15,802,000
Chinese Taipei 0 74 16 0
Guam 0 74 16 0
Hong Kong 0 74 16 0
India 0 74 16 -19,000
Indonesia 0 74 16 0
Iran 440,000 52 7 -25,000
Iraq 40,000 70 15 +40,000
Japan 9,366,000 23 6 -1,442,000
Jordan 0 74 16 0
Korea Republic 9,407,000 22 5 +2,833,000
Kuwait 310,000 56 8 -131,000
Kyrgyzstan 59,000 67 14 +59,000
Lebanon 0 74 16 -21,000
Malaysia 60,000 66 13 -2,000
Maldives 0 74 16 0
Mongolia 0 74 16 0
Myanmar 0 74 16 0
Nepal 0 74 16 0
Oman 0 74 16 0
Pakistan 0 74 16 0
Palestine 0 74 16 0
Philippines 0 74 16 0
Qatar 31,131,000 13 2 +5,136,000
Saudi Arabia 18,533,000 20 4 -18,101,000
Singapore 0 74 16 0
Syria 0 74 16 0
Tajikistan 0 74 16 0
Thailand 186,000 58 9 +181,000
Timor-Leste 0 74 16 0
Turkmenistan 0 74 16 0
United Arab Emirates 21,001,000 18 3 -15,678,000
Uzbekistan 110,000 59 10 -270,000
Vietnam 0 74 16 -473,000
Yemen 0 74 16 0
Receipts 225
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest recipients of biggest transfer compensation
receipts 2012 2012 recipients 2012 receipts versus 2011
Australia 3,791,000 45 5 +1,575,000

A7 Intermediaries
Bahrain 0 97 11 0
Bangladesh 0 97 11 0
Bhutan 0 97 11 0
China PR 500,000 68 7 +500,000
Chinese Taipei 0 97 11 0
Guam 0 97 11 0

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Hong Kong 0 97 11 0
India 0 97 11 0
Indonesia 0 97 11 0
Iran 0 97 11 0
Iraq 0 97 11 0
Japan 11,977,000 29 2 +873,000
Jordan 720,000 64 6 +364,000
Korea Republic 7,899,000 38 4 -4,460,000
Kuwait 0 97 11 -1,590,000
Kyrgyzstan 0 97 11 0

A5 Contracts
Lebanon 480,000 69 8 +390,000
Malaysia 0 97 11 0
Maldives 0 97 11 0
Mongolia 0 97 11 0

A4 Player characteristics
Myanmar 0 97 11 0
Nepal 0 97 11 0
Oman 0 97 11 0
Pakistan 0 97 11 0
Palestine 0 97 11 0
Philippines 0 97 11 0
Qatar 0 97 11 -600,000

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Saudi Arabia 15,465,000 24 1 +7,025,000
Singapore 0 97 11 0
Syria 0 97 11 -150,000
Tajikistan 0 97 11 0
Thailand 314,000 76 10 +314,000
Timor-Leste 0 97 11 0
Turkmenistan 0 97 11 0
United Arab Emirates 9,093,000 33 3 +8,391,000
Uzbekistan 430,000 70 9 -1,332,000
Vietnam 0 97 11 0
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Yemen 0 97 11 0
 A6 Asia
226 Receipts versus spend
Country Net receipts / net spend Percentage of incoming Percentage of outgoing
(-) 2012 transfers with fixed transfer transfers with fixed transfer
compensation involved compensation involved
Australia 3,699,000 10% 23%
Bahrain -75,000 4% 0%
Bangladesh 0 0% 0%
Bhutan 0 N/A N/A
China PR -49,331,000 25% 2%
Chinese Taipei 0 N/A 0%
Guam 0 N/A N/A
Hong Kong 0 0% 0%
India 0 0% 0%
Indonesia 0 0% 0%
Iran -440,000 11% 0%
Iraq -40,000 4% 0%
Japan 2,611,000 23% 15%
Jordan 720,000 0% 30%
Korea Republic -1,508,000 44% 14%
Kuwait -310,000 5% 0%
Kyrgyzstan -59,000 33% 0%
Lebanon 480,000 0% 15%
Malaysia -60,000 3% 0%
Maldives 0 0% 0%
Mongolia 0 N/A N/A
Myanmar 0 0% 0%
Nepal 0 0% 0%
Oman 0 0% 0%
Pakistan 0 N/A N/A
Palestine 0 0% 0%
Philippines 0 N/A N/A
Qatar -31,131,000 29% 0%
Saudi Arabia -3,068,000 33% 9%
Singapore 0 5% 0%
Syria 0 0% 0%
Tajikistan 0 6% 0%
Thailand 128,000 2% 4%
Timor-Leste 0 N/A N/A
Turkmenistan 0 0% 0%
United Arab Emirates -11,908,000 25% 9%
Uzbekistan 320,000 7% 9%
Vietnam 0 0% 0%
Yemen 0 0% 0%
 227

A2 Global transfer market calendar A3 Market activity and mobility patterns A4 Player characteristics A5 Contracts A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation A7 Intermediaries
 A6 Africa
228 Spend
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest spenders of biggest transfer compensation
spend 2012 2012 spenders 2012 spend versus 2011
Algeria 0 74 10 -205,000
Angola 202,000 57 6 +142,000
Benin 0 74 10 0
Botswana 0 74 10 0
Burkina Faso 0 74 10 0
Burundi 0 74 10 -4,000
Cameroon 0 74 10 -12,000
Cape Verde Islands 0 74 10 0
Chad 0 74 10 0
Comoros 0 74 10 0
Congo 0 74 10 0
Congo DR 590,000 51 5 +590,000
Côte d'Ivoire 51,000 68 8 +51,000
Djibouti 0 74 10 0
Egypt 1,300,000 45 4 -1,633,000
Eritrea 0 74 10 0
Ethiopia 0 74 10 -79,000
Gabon 0 74 10 0
Gambia 0 74 10 0
Ghana 75,000 63 7 +75,000
Guinea 0 74 10 0
Guinea-Bissau 0 74 10 0
Kenya 0 74 10 0
Liberia 0 74 10 0
Libya 0 74 10 -781,000
Madagascar 0 74 10 0
Malawi 0 74 10 0
Mali 0 74 10 0
Mauritania 0 74 10 0
Mauritius 0 74 10 0
Morocco 1,551,000 43 3 +1,054,000
Mozambique 0 74 10 0
Namibia 0 74 10 0
Niger 0 74 10 0
Nigeria 0 74 10 0
Rwanda 13,000 72 9 -9,000
São Tomé e Príncipe 0 74 10 0
Senegal 0 74 10 0
Seychelles 0 74 10 0
Sierra Leone 0 74 10 0
Somalia 0 74 10 0
South Africa 2,286,000 37 2 +1,746,000
Sudan 0 74 10 -835,000
Swaziland 0 74 10 0
Tanzania 0 74 10 -225,000
Togo 0 74 10 0
Tunisia 3,550,000 32 1 +1,927,000
Uganda 0 74 10 0
Zimbabwe 0 74 10 0
Receipts 229
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest recipients of biggest transfer compensation
receipts 2012 2012 recipients 2012 receipts versus 2011
Algeria 0 97 24 -2,658,000

A7 Intermediaries
Angola 0 97 24 0
Benin 25,000 93 21 +17,000
Botswana 406,000 71 11 +406,000
Burkina Faso 0 97 24 -59,000
Burundi 23,000 94 22 -19,000
Cameroon 585,000 67 10 -75,000

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Cape Verde Islands 0 97 24 0
Chad 0 97 24 0
Comoros 0 97 24 0
Congo 0 97 24 -4,000
Congo DR 832,000 63 9 +829,000
Côte d'Ivoire 1,044,000 61 8 +598,000
Djibouti 0 97 24 0
Egypt 6,967,000 40 1 +5,277,000
Eritrea 0 97 24 0
Ethiopia 0 97 24 0

A5 Contracts
Gabon 37,000 91 19 -34,000
Gambia 22,000 95 23 -48,000
Ghana 4,646,000 43 3 +2,943,000
Guinea 0 97 24 0

A4 Player characteristics
Guinea-Bissau 0 97 24 0
Kenya 56,000 90 18 -64,000
Liberia 60,000 89 17 -8,000
Libya 0 97 24 0
Madagascar 0 97 24 0
Malawi 0 97 24 0
Mali 269,000 79 13 +155,000

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Mauritania 0 97 24 0
Mauritius 0 97 24 0
Morocco 3,445,000 48 4 +798,000
Mozambique 0 97 24 0
Namibia 0 97 24 0
Niger 0 97 24 -10,000
Nigeria 2,063,000 54 5 +551,000
Rwanda 205,000 85 15 +205,000
São Tomé e Príncipe 0 97 24 0
Senegal 1,474,000 57 6 +176,000
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Seychelles 0 97 24 0
Sierra Leone 28,000 92 20 -33,000
Somalia 0 97 24 0
South Africa 1,151,000 59 7 -6,761,000
Sudan 400,000 72 12 +400,000
Swaziland 0 97 24 -10,000
Tanzania 0 97 24 -40,000
Togo 0 97 24 -100,000
Tunisia 5,148,000 42 2 +652,000
Uganda 70,000 88 16 +20,000
Zimbabwe 240,000 84 14 -54,000
 A6 Africa
230 Receipts versus spend
Country Net receipts / net spend Percentage of incoming Percentage of outgoing
(-) 2012 transfers with fixed transfer transfers with fixed transfer
compensation involved compensation involved
Algeria 0 0% 0%
Angola -202,000 11% 0%
Benin 25,000 N/A 50%
Botswana 406,000 0% 57%
Burkina Faso 0 N/A 0%
Burundi 23,000 0% 60%
Cameroon 585,000 0% 9%
Cape Verde Islands 0 N/A 0%
Chad 0 0% 0%
Comoros 0 N/A N/A
Congo 0 N/A 0%
Congo DR 242,000 25% 29%
Côte d'Ivoire 993,000 16% 19%
Djibouti 0 N/A N/A
Egypt 5,667,000 9% 14%
Eritrea 0 N/A N/A
Ethiopia 0 0% 0%
Gabon 37,000 0% 13%
Gambia 22,000 N/A 33%
Ghana 4,571,000 8% 25%
Guinea 0 N/A 12%
Guinea-Bissau 0 N/A 0%
Kenya 56,000 0% 13%
Liberia 60,000 0% 22%
Libya 0 0% 0%
Madagascar 0 N/A 0%
Malawi 0 N/A 0%
Mali 269,000 N/A 18%
Mauritania 0 N/A N/A
Mauritius 0 0% N/A
Morocco 1,894,000 18% 14%
Mozambique 0 0% 0%
Namibia 0 0% 0%
Niger 0 0% 0%
Nigeria 2,063,000 0% 7%
Rwanda 192,000 22% 13%
São Tomé e Príncipe 0 N/A N/A
Senegal 1,474,000 0% 31%
Seychelles 0 N/A N/A
Sierra Leone 28,000 N/A 25%
Somalia 0 N/A N/A
South Africa -1,135,000 36% 5%
Sudan 400,000 0% 25%
Swaziland 0 0% 0%
Tanzania 0 0% 0%
Togo 0 N/A 0%
Tunisia 1,598,000 7% 20%
Uganda 70,000 0% 12%
Zimbabwe 240,000 0% 19%
 231

A2 Global transfer market calendar A3 Market activity and mobility patterns A4 Player characteristics A5 Contracts A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation A7 Intermediaries
 A6 North America
232 Spend
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest spenders of biggest transfer compensation
spend 2012 2012 spenders 2012 spend versus 2011
Anguilla 0 74 5 0
Antigua and Barbuda 0 74 5 -1,000
Aruba 0 74 5 0
Bahamas 0 74 5 0
Barbados 0 74 5 0
Belize 0 74 5 0
Bermuda 0 74 5 0
British Virgin Islands 0 74 5 0
Canada 97,000 60 3 +26,000
Cayman Islands 0 74 5 0
Costa Rica 0 74 5 -10,000
Curaçao 0 74 5 0
Dominica 0 74 5 0
Dominican Republic 0 74 5 0
El Salvador 0 74 5 0
Grenada 0 74 5 0
Guatemala 0 74 5 -20,000
Guyana 0 74 5 0
Haiti 0 74 5 0
Honduras 12,000 73 4 +10,000
Jamaica 0 74 5 0
Mexico 23,314,000 16 1 +15,498,000
Montserrat 0 74 5 0
Nicaragua 0 74 5 0
Panama 0 74 5 0
Puerto Rico 0 74 5 -8,000
St. Kitts and Nevis 0 74 5 0
St. Lucia 0 74 5 0
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0 74 5 0
Trinidad and Tobago 0 74 5 0
Turks and Caicos Islands 0 74 5 0
US Virgin Islands 0 74 5 0
USA 7,741,000 24 2 +443,000
Receipts 233
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest recipients of biggest transfer compensation
receipts 2012 2012 recipients 2012 receipts versus 2011
Anguilla 0 97 9 0

A7 Intermediaries
Antigua and Barbuda 0 97 9 0
Aruba 0 97 9 0
Bahamas 0 97 9 0
Barbados 0 97 9 0
Belize 0 97 9 0
Bermuda 0 97 9 0

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

British Virgin Islands 0 97 9 0
Canada 120,000 87 8 -16,000
Cayman Islands 0 97 9 0
Costa Rica 2,361,000 51 3 -1,172,000
Curaçao 0 97 9 0
Dominica 0 97 9 0
Dominican Republic 0 97 9 0
El Salvador 183,000 86 7 +33,000
Grenada 0 97 9 0
Guatemala 0 97 9 0

A5 Contracts
Guyana 0 97 9 0
Haiti 0 97 9 0
Honduras 2,285,000 52 4 +1,554,000
Jamaica 281,000 78 6 -46,000

A4 Player characteristics
Mexico 20,243,000 20 1 +10,729,000
Montserrat 0 97 9 0
Nicaragua 0 97 9 0
Panama 320,000 74 5 +66,000
Puerto Rico 0 97 9 -35,000
St. Kitts and Nevis 0 97 9 0
St. Lucia 0 97 9 0

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0 97 9 0
Trinidad and Tobago 0 97 9 -141,000
Turks and Caicos Islands 0 97 9 0
US Virgin Islands 0 97 9 0
USA 8,001,000 37 2 +7,405,000 A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A6 North America
234 Receipts versus spend
Country Net receipts / net spend Percentage of incoming Percentage of outgoing
(-) 2012 transfers with fixed transfer transfers with fixed transfer
compensation involved compensation involved
Anguilla 0 N/A N/A
Antigua and Barbuda 0 0% 0%
Aruba 0 N/A N/A
Bahamas 0 N/A N/A
Barbados 0 N/A N/A
Belize 0 N/A N/A
Bermuda 0 N/A N/A
British Virgin Islands 0 N/A N/A
Canada 23,000 4% 5%
Cayman Islands 0 N/A N/A
Costa Rica 2,361,000 0% 13%
Curaçao 0 N/A N/A
Dominica 0 N/A N/A
Dominican Republic 0 N/A 0%
El Salvador 183,000 0% 13%
Grenada 0 N/A N/A
Guatemala 0 0% 0%
Guyana 0 N/A N/A
Haiti 0 N/A 0%
Honduras 2,273,000 5% 10%
Jamaica 281,000 0% 33%
Mexico -3,071,000 18% 12%
Montserrat 0 N/A N/A
Nicaragua 0 0% 0%
Panama 320,000 0% 33%
Puerto Rico 0 0% 0%
St. Kitts and Nevis 0 N/A N/A
St. Lucia 0 N/A N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines 0 N/A N/A
Trinidad and Tobago 0 0% 0%
Turks and Caicos Islands 0 N/A N/A
US Virgin Islands 0 N/A N/A
USA 260,000 12% 8%
 235

A2 Global transfer market calendar A3 Market activity and mobility patterns A4 Player characteristics A5 Contracts A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation A7 Intermediaries
 A6 South America
236 Spend
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest spenders of biggest transfer compensation
spend 2012 2012 spenders 2012 spend versus 2011
Argentina 21,067,000 17 2 +10,204,000
Bolivia 86,000 62 8 +71,000
Brazil 78,294,000 8 1 +11,397,000
Chile 3,725,000 31 5 +678,000
Colombia 6,136,000 26 3 +4,851,000
Ecuador 3,220,000 33 6 +2,130,000
Paraguay 2,200,000 38 7 +585,000
Peru 0 74 9 -125,000
Uruguay 4,030,000 29 4 -14,665,000
Venezuela 0 74 9 -135,000
Receipts 237
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest recipients of biggest transfer compensation
receipts 2012 2012 recipients 2012 receipts versus 2011
Argentina 50,956,000 12 3 -24,938,000

A7 Intermediaries
Bolivia 265,000 80 10 +215,000
Brazil 199,531,000 3 1 +5,551,000
Chile 41,964,000 13 4 +13,537,000
Colombia 17,038,000 21 5 -24,000
Ecuador 8,115,000 36 7 +6,165,000
Paraguay 14,116,000 26 6 +3,378,000

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Peru 2,697,000 50 9 +606,000
Uruguay 54,161,000 11 2 -23,735,000
Venezuela 3,732,000 47 8 +2,290,000

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A6 South America
238 Receipts versus spend
Country Net receipts / net spend Percentage of incoming Percentage of outgoing
(-) 2012 transfers with fixed transfer transfers with fixed transfer
compensation involved compensation involved
Argentina 29,889,000 14% 6%
Bolivia 179,000 3% 7%
Brazil 121,237,000 5% 17%
Chile 38,239,000 6% 19%
Colombia 10,902,000 11% 9%
Ecuador 4,895,000 8% 12%
Paraguay 11,916,000 4% 17%
Peru 2,697,000 0% 8%
Uruguay 50,131,000 2% 23%
Venezuela 3,732,000 0% 11%
 239

A2 Global transfer market calendar A3 Market activity and mobility patterns A4 Player characteristics A5 Contracts A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation A7 Intermediaries
 A6 Oceania
240 Spend
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest spenders of biggest transfer compensation
spend 2012 2012 spenders 2012 spend versus 2011
American Samoa 0 74 1 0
Cook Islands 0 74 1 0
Fiji 0 74 1 0
New Caledonia 0 74 1 0
New Zealand 0 74 1 0
Papua New Guinea 0 74 1 0
Samoa 0 74 1 0
Tahiti 0 74 1 0
Tonga 0 74 1 0
Vanuatu 0 74 1 0
Receipts 241
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest recipients of biggest transfer compensation
receipts 2012 2012 recipients 2012 receipts versus 2011
American Samoa 0 97 1 0

A7 Intermediaries
Cook Islands 0 97 1 0
Fiji 0 97 1 0
New Caledonia 0 97 1 0
New Zealand 0 97 1 0
Papua New Guinea 0 97 1 0
Samoa 0 97 1 0

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Tahiti 0 97 1 0
Tonga 0 97 1 0
Vanuatu 0 97 1 0

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A6 Oceania
242 Receipts versus spend
Country Net receipts / net spend Percentage of incoming Percentage of outgoing
(-) 2012 transfers with fixed transfer transfers with fixed transfer
compensation involved compensation involved
American Samoa 0 N/A N/A
Cook Islands 0 N/A N/A
Fiji 0 N/A N/A
New Caledonia 0 N/A N/A
New Zealand 0 N/A 0%
Papua New Guinea 0 N/A N/A
Samoa 0 N/A N/A
Tahiti 0 N/A N/A
Tonga 0 N/A N/A
Vanuatu 0 N/A N/A
 243

A2 Global transfer market calendar A3 Market activity and mobility patterns A4 Player characteristics A5 Contracts A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation A7 Intermediaries
 A6 Europe
244 Spend
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest spenders of biggest transfer compensation
spend 2012 2012 spenders 2012 spend versus 2011
Andorra 0 74 38 0
Armenia 30,000 71 37 +30,000
Austria 20,904,000 19 13 +15,603,000
Azerbaijan 763,000 50 31 -236,000
Belarus 1,557,000 42 25 +1,058,000
Belgium 26,928,000 15 12 -8,369,000
Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 74 38 0
Bulgaria 2,522,000 36 21 +465,000
Croatia 410,000 53 32 -2,768,000
Cyprus 2,908,000 34 19 +1,985,000
Czech Republic 2,779,000 35 20 +707,000
Denmark 5,263,000 27 16 -1,753,000
England 516,600,000 1 1 +72,451,000
Estonia 0 74 38 -57,000
Faroe Islands 0 74 38 -4,000
Finland 70,000 65 35 -3,000
France 205,155,000 3 3 +74,721,000
FYR Macedonia 0 74 38 0
Georgia 390,000 55 34 +368,000
Germany 181,563,000 4 4 +47,239,000
Greece 4,588,000 28 17 -5,410,000
Hungary 834,000 49 30 +601,000
Iceland 0 74 38 -1,000
Israel 1,984,000 40 23 -2,307,000
Italy 156,841,000 5 5 -158,873,000
Kazakhstan 1,225,000 46 27 +737,000
Kosovo 0 74 38 0
Latvia 0 74 38 -277,000
Liechtenstein 0 74 38 0
Lithuania 0 74 38 -633,000
Luxembourg 0 74 38 0
Malta 0 74 38 0
Moldova 871,000 48 29 -36,000
Montenegro 0 74 38 -4,000
Netherlands 28,430,000 14 11 -2,878,000
Northern Ireland 0 74 38 0
Norway 6,851,000 25 15 -1,625,000
Poland 2,021,000 39 22 -7,070,000
Portugal 78,202,000 9 8 -43,858,000
Republic of Ireland 47,000 69 36 +47,000
Romania 1,349,000 44 26 -189,000
Russia 287,880,000 2 2 +17,258,000
Scotland 1,723,000 41 24 -7,310,000
Serbia 932,000 47 28 -2,653,000
Slovakia 394,000 54 33 -1,186,000
Slovenia 0 74 38 -21,000
Spain 135,335,000 6 6 -224,919,000
Sweden 3,989,000 30 18 +810,000
Switzerland 15,467,000 21 14 +1,136,000
Turkey 90,430,000 7 7 -28,521,000
Ukraine 57,877,000 10 9 -52,712,000
Wales 44,604,000 12 10 +25,841,000
Receipts 245
Country Fixed transfer Global ranking of Regional ranking Change in fixed
compensation biggest recipients of biggest transfer compensation
receipts 2012 2012 recipients 2012 receipts versus 2011
Andorra 0 97 46 0

A7 Intermediaries
Armenia 259,000 82 43 -241,000
Austria 8,135,000 35 25 -3,894,000
Azerbaijan 0 97 46 0
Belarus 310,000 77 41 -6,899,000
Belgium 62,000,000 9 8 -42,145,000
Bosnia-Herzegovina 317,000 75 40 -2,216,000

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Bulgaria 8,728,000 34 24 -2,076,000
Croatia 13,720,000 27 19 -3,320,000
Cyprus 5,740,000 41 27 +5,576,000
Czech Republic 11,154,000 30 21 -14,730,000
Denmark 27,526,000 16 12 +13,043,000
England 202,671,000 2 2 -5,313,000
Estonia 260,000 81 42 -2,549,000
Faroe Islands 2,000 96 45 +2,000
Finland 2,008,000 55 32 -3,536,000
France 175,288,000 6 5 +18,781,000

A5 Contracts
FYR Macedonia 1,334,000 58 34 +1,085,000
Georgia 1,077,000 60 35 +560,000
Germany 138,909,000 7 6 -1,485,000
Greece 16,285,000 22 16 -2,666,000

A4 Player characteristics
Hungary 1,994,000 56 33 -2,186,000
Iceland 659,000 66 38 -799,000
Israel 7,878,000 39 26 -9,522,000
Italy 247,415,000 1 1 +3,355,000
Kazakhstan 0 97 46 0
Kosovo 0 97 46 0
Latvia 330,000 73 39 -36,000

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Liechtenstein 0 97 46 0
Lithuania 711,000 65 37 +362,000
Luxembourg 0 97 46 0
Malta 0 97 46 -57,000
Moldova 2,276,000 53 31 +504,000
Montenegro 3,763,000 46 29 +692,000
Netherlands 114,229,000 8 7 -15,510,000
Northern Ireland 244,000 83 44 +239,000
Norway 21,517,000 18 14 -2,814,000
Poland 15,503,000 23 17 -3,752,000
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Portugal 180,704,000 5 4 +2,070,000

Republic of Ireland 864,000 62 36 +40,000
Romania 10,326,000 32 23 -14,200,000
Russia 31,987,000 15 11 -2,994,000
Scotland 22,223,000 17 13 +10,643,000
Serbia 15,080,000 25 18 -21,465,000
Slovakia 3,351,000 49 30 -4,604,000
Slovenia 4,506,000 44 28 -2,758,000
Spain 185,672,000 4 3 -118,305,000
Sweden 10,564,000 31 22 -21,712,000
Switzerland 55,672,000 10 9 +20,758,000
Turkey 12,822,000 28 20 -64,433,000
Ukraine 20,933,000 19 15 -23,203,000
Wales 34,760,000 14 10 +32,311,000
 A6 Europe
246 Receipts versus spend
Country Net receipts / net spend Percentage of incoming Percentage of outgoing
(-) 2012 transfers with fixed transfer transfers with fixed transfer
compensation involved compensation involved
Andorra 0 N/A N/A
Armenia 229,000 4% 6%
Austria -12,769,000 23% 22%
Azerbaijan -763,000 7% 0%
Belarus -1,247,000 16% 10%
Belgium 35,072,000 17% 22%
Bosnia-Herzegovina 317,000 0% 10%
Bulgaria 6,206,000 10% 17%
Croatia 13,310,000 11% 10%
Cyprus 2,832,000 3% 5%
Czech Republic 8,375,000 19% 23%
Denmark 22,263,000 27% 26%
England -313,929,000 34% 16%
Estonia 260,000 0% 9%
Faroe Islands 2,000 0% 18%
Finland 1,938,000 6% 15%
France -29,867,000 26% 15%
FYR Macedonia 1334,000 0% 14%
Georgia 687,000 6% 6%
Germany -42,654,000 31% 20%
Greece 11,697,000 5% 5%
Hungary 1,160,000 4% 17%
Iceland 659,000 0% 38%
Israel 5,894,000 17% 17%
Italy 90,574,000 42% 13%
Kazakhstan -1,225,000 18% 0%
Kosovo 0 0% 0%
Latvia 330,000 0% 19%
Liechtenstein 0 N/A N/A
Lithuania 711,000 0% 11%
Luxembourg 0 0% 0%
Malta 0 0% 0%
Moldova 1,405,000 8% 13%
Montenegro 3,763,000 0% 17%
Netherlands 85,799,000 28% 23%
Northern Ireland 244,000 0% 54%
Norway 14,666,000 31% 20%
Poland 13,482,000 10% 12%
Portugal 102,502,000 12% 14%
Republic of Ireland 817,000 8% 53%
Romania 8,977,000 7% 13%
Russia -255,893,000 39% 13%
Scotland 20,500,000 10% 13%
Serbia 14,148,000 8% 13%
Slovakia 2,957,000 23% 18%
Slovenia 4,506,000 0% 27%
Spain 50,337,000 28% 12%
Sweden 6,575,000 18% 22%
Switzerland 40,205,000 19% 17%
Turkey -77,608,000 33% 7%
Ukraine -36,944,000 15% 14%
Wales -9,844,000 28% 14%
 247

A2 Global transfer market calendar A3 Market activity and mobility patterns A4 Player characteristics A5 Contracts A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation A7 Intermediaries
248
 A7
249

A7 Intermediaries
A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation
Intermediaries

The following tables provide data on

A5 Contracts
intermediaries involved in incoming and

outgoing transfers at country level.

A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Note 1: Information that is based on single player transfers has been

excluded from all tables to comply with data protection rules.

Note 2: ‘N/A’ refers to countries with zero incoming or outgoing transfers

in 2012, where no percentages of incoming/outgoing transfers with
intermediary involvement could be identified.

Note 3: Kosovo is not a member association of FIFA but is contractually

bound by FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players solely
and exclusively as far as the provisions on the maintenance of contractual
stability between professional players and clubs and the use of TMS is
concerned.
 A7 Asia
250 Intermediary involvement
Country Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of o
incoming transfers outgoing transfers incoming transfers out­going transfers
with engaging club with releasing club with player with player
intermediary involved inter­mediary involved intermediary involved intermediary involved
Australia 0% 0% 40% 22%
Bahrain 0% 0% 0% 9%
Bangladesh 0% 0% 0% 18%
Bhutan N/A N/A N/A N/A
China PR 1% 0% 64% 13%
Chinese Taipei N/A 0% N/A 0%
Guam N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hong Kong 0% 0% 0% 8%
India 0% 0% 0% 13%
Indonesia 0% 0% 0% 8%
Iran 4% 0% 17% 6%
Iraq 0% 0% 0% 0%
Japan 24% 3% 30% 14%
Jordan 0% 0% 0% 0%
Korea Republic 7% 2% 24% 17%
Kuwait 0% 0% 0% 6%
Kyrgyzstan 0% 0% 0% 0%
Lebanon 0% 0% 0% 10%
Malaysia 5% 0% 29% 0%
Maldives 0% 0% 0% 0%
Mongolia N/A N/A N/A N/A
Myanmar 0% 0% 13% 0%
Nepal 0% 0% 0% 0%
Oman 0% 0% 10% 0%
Pakistan N/A N/A N/A N/A
Palestine 0% 0% 0% 0%
Philippines N/A N/A N/A N/A
Qatar 0% 0% 42% 12%
Saudi Arabia 0% 0% 9% 7%
Singapore 0% 0% 0% 0%
Syria 0% 0% 0% 0%
Tajikistan 17% 0% 0% 0%
Thailand 0% 0% 0% 13%
Timor-Leste N/A N/A N/A N/A
Turkmenistan 0% 0% 0% 0%
United Arab Emirates 0% 0% 12% 5%
Uzbekistan 0% 0% 0% 7%
Vietnam 0% 0% 0% 9%
Yemen 0% 0% 0% 0%
A7 Africa
Intermediary involvement 251
Country Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
incoming transfers outgoing transfers incoming transfers out­going transfers
with engaging club with releasing club with player with player
intermediary involved inter­mediary involved intermediary involved intermediary involved
Algeria 0% 0% 6% 0%

A7 Intermediaries
Angola 0% 0% 0% 0%
Benin N/A 0% N/A 0%
Botswana 0% 0% 0% 0%
Burkina Faso N/A 0% N/A 18%
Burundi 0% 0% 0% 0%

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Cameroon 0% 0% 0% 4%
Cape Verde Islands N/A 0% N/A 0%
Chad 0% 0% 0% 0%
Comoros N/A N/A N/A N/A
Congo N/A 0% N/A 0%
Congo DR 0% 0% 0% 12%
Côte d'Ivoire 0% 3% 0% 8%
Djibouti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Egypt 0% 0% 8% 8%
Eritrea N/A N/A N/A N/A

A5 Contracts
Ethiopia 0% 0% 0% 0%
Gabon 0% 0% 0% 25%
Gambia N/A 0% N/A 0%
Ghana 0% 3% 0% 10%

A4 Player characteristics
Guinea N/A 0% N/A 0%
Guinea-Bissau N/A 0% N/A 0%
Kenya 0% 0% 0% 13%
Liberia 0% 0% 0% 0%
Libya 0% 0% 0% 8%
Madagascar N/A 0% N/A 0%
Malawi N/A 0% N/A 67%

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Mali N/A 0% N/A 0%
Mauritania N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mauritius 0% N/A 0% N/A
Morocco 0% 0% 0% 13%
Mozambique 0% 50% 0% 63%
Namibia 0% 0% 0% 0%
Niger 33% 0% 67% 0%
Nigeria 0% 1% 0% 6%
Rwanda 0% 0% 0% 0%
São Tomé e Príncipe N/A N/A N/A N/A
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Senegal 0% 0% 0% 0%
Seychelles N/A N/A N/A N/A
Sierra Leone N/A 0% N/A 0%
Somalia N/A N/A N/A N/A
South Africa 0% 0% 14% 14%
Sudan 0% 0% 0% 0%
Swaziland 0% 0% 0% 0%
Tanzania 0% 0% 0% 0%
Togo N/A 0% N/A 0%
Tunisia 0% 0% 5% 17%
Uganda 0% 0% 0% 0%
Zimbabwe 0% 0% 0% 0%
 A7 North America
252 Intermediary involvement
Country Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
incoming transfers outgoing transfers incoming transfers out­going transfers
with engaging club with releasing club with player with player
intermediary involved inter­mediary involved intermediary involved intermediary involved
Anguilla N/A N/A N/A N/A
Antigua and Barbuda 0% 0% 0% 0%
Aruba N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bahamas N/A N/A N/A N/A
Barbados N/A N/A N/A N/A
Belize N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bermuda N/A N/A N/A N/A
British Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Canada 0% 0% 51% 28%
Cayman Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Costa Rica 0% 0% 7% 8%
Curaçao N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominica N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dominican Republic N/A 0% N/A 0%
El Salvador 0% 6% 0% 6%
Grenada N/A N/A N/A N/A
Guatemala 0% 0% 0% 4%
Guyana N/A N/A N/A N/A
Haiti N/A 0% N/A 0%
Honduras 0% 4% 5% 16%
Jamaica 0% 0% 38% 50%
Mexico 0% 0% 4% 13%
Montserrat N/A N/A N/A N/A
Nicaragua 0% 0% 0% 0%
Panama 0% 0% 0% 5%
Puerto Rico 0% 0% 36% 24%
St. Kitts and Nevis N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Lucia N/A N/A N/A N/A
St. Vincent and the Grenadines N/A N/A N/A N/A
Trinidad and Tobago 0% 0% 0% 0%
Turks and Caicos Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
US Virgin Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
USA 0% 1% 45% 25%
A7 South America
Intermediary involvement 253
Country Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
incoming transfers outgoing transfers incoming transfers out­going transfers
with engaging club with releasing club with player with player
intermediary involved inter­mediary involved intermediary involved intermediary involved
Argentina 1% 0% 4% 8%

A7 Intermediaries
Bolivia 0% 0% 0% 7%
Brazil 1% 1% 3% 16%
Chile 0% 0% 5% 11%
Colombia 0% 0% 10% 6%
Ecuador 0% 8% 3% 11%

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Paraguay 0% 2% 3% 7%
Peru 0% 0% 7% 5%
Uruguay 2% 1% 2% 13%
Venezuela 0% 0% 10% 17%

A5 Contracts
A4 Player characteristics
A3 Market activity and mobility patterns
A2 Global transfer market calendar
 A7 Oceania
254 Intermediary involvement
Country Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
incoming transfers outgoing transfers incoming transfers out­going transfers
with engaging club with releasing club with player with player
intermediary involved inter­mediary involved intermediary involved intermediary involved
American Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A
Cook Islands N/A N/A N/A N/A
Fiji N/A N/A N/A N/A
New Caledonia N/A N/A N/A N/A
New Zealand N/A 0% N/A 20%
Papua New Guinea N/A N/A N/A N/A
Samoa N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tahiti N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tonga N/A N/A N/A N/A
Vanuatu N/A N/A N/A N/A
A7 Europe
Intermediary involvement 255
Country Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of Percentage of
incoming transfers outgoing transfers incoming transfers out­going transfers
with engaging club with releasing club with player with player
intermediary involved inter­mediary involved intermediary involved intermediary involved
Andorra N/A N/A N/A N/A

A7 Intermediaries
Armenia 0% 0% 0% 6%
Austria 0% 0% 42% 26%
Azerbaijan 0% 0% 0% 6%
Belarus 5% 0% 5% 4%
Belgium 1% 1% 22% 24%

A6 Club-to-club transfer compensation

Bosnia-Herzegovina 0% 0% 4% 17%
Bulgaria 3% 0% 22% 17%
Croatia 0% 0% 5% 17%
Cyprus 0% 0% 24% 16%
Czech Republic 0% 0% 37% 13%
Denmark 14% 2% 31% 32%
England 33% 4% 30% 19%
Estonia 0% 0% 0% 14%
Faroe Islands 0% 0% 24% 27%
Finland 2% 0% 14% 17%

A5 Contracts
France 16% 3% 18% 21%
FYR Macedonia 0% 0% 0% 17%
Georgia 0% 0% 0% 4%
Germany 19% 3% 21% 26%

A4 Player characteristics
Greece 1% 0% 19% 17%
Hungary 4% 0% 16% 18%
Iceland 0% 0% 22% 22%
Israel 2% 0% 57% 25%
Italy 30% 7% 21% 15%
Kazakhstan 3% 0% 10% 4%
Kosovo 0% 0% 0% 0%

A3 Market activity and mobility patterns

Latvia 0% 0% 4% 7%
Liechtenstein N/A N/A N/A N/A
Lithuania 0% 0% 13% 11%
Luxembourg 0% 0% 0% 0%
Malta 0% 0% 4% 8%
Moldova 0% 3% 8% 5%
Montenegro 0% 0% 0% 10%
Netherlands 4% 2% 70% 24%
Northern Ireland 0% 0% 0% 8%
Norway 20% 3% 15% 26%
A2 Global transfer market calendar

Poland 7% 1% 23% 19%

Portugal 9% 3% 10% 16%
Republic of Ireland 0% 0% 0% 10%
Romania 3% 0% 13% 18%
Russia 8% 0% 9% 13%
Scotland 11% 1% 13% 28%
Serbia 0% 2% 11% 12%
Slovakia 0% 2% 18% 26%
Slovenia 0% 4% 10% 13%
Spain 2% 1% 28% 17%
Sweden 5% 1% 18% 17%
Switzerland 4% 0% 25% 18%
Turkey 1% 0% 16% 19%
Ukraine 0% 0% 16% 14%
Wales 16% 0% 10% 24%
Editorial

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Contact
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Players’ playing positions data

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bodies might be called upon to pass in the future.

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