FIFA has today published the 2021 edition of the Global Transfer Report, which charts the transfers of men’s and women’s players in both professional and amateur football. No fewer than 54,739 transfers across borders were recorded in 2021: 19,372 involving professionals (men and women) plus another 35,367 involving amateurs.
TRANSFERS
There were 18,068 international transfers in men’s professional football, representing an increase of 5.1% compared to 2020 and signalling a return to the levels of 2019 despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
These 18,068 transfers involved a new record high of 4,544 clubs from 185 different associations, compared to 4,162 clubs in 2020, with 15,617 players representing 179 different nationalities.
Transfer fees decreased for the second consecutive year in 2021 to USD 4.86 billion, a fall of 13.6% from 2020 and 33.8% from the all-time high of 2019.
WOMEN FOOTBALL
Women’s football continued to go from strength to strength in 2021, with the number of clubs involved in international transfers rising from 347 in 2020 to 414 last year, a 19.3% increase.
Source: transfermarketweb.com