FIFA: Clubs spend $48.5B in transfer fees in 2011-2020

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - World football's governing body said in its report on Monday that clubs have spent $48.5 billion in transfer fees over the past decade.

FIFA said in its report 10 Years of International Transfers that this sum was spent in 2011-2020 and that clubs mostly increased their transfer fee expenditures from the beginning of the decade until 2019.

The report said $2.85 billion had been spent in 2011, but that this figure had risen to $7.35 billion in 2019, which was the peak point of the 10-year-term.

Coronavirus-hit 2020 saw a significant decline, with only $5.63 billion spent between clubs.

The report also said that $3.5 billion had been paid for player agents' commissions in international transfers.

In 2011, $131.1 million had been allocated for the football intermediaries. Meanwhile, this rose through years to $640.5 million in 2019.

In direct proportion to the transfer fee paid in 2020, agent commissions also diminished to $483.5 million last year.

- 66,789 footballers transferred

Over the past decade, 66,789 football players were transferred around the globe between 8,264 clubs in the 200-member FIFA.

Brazilian players were the most popular in 2011-2020, representing 15,128 transferred players.

Brazil was followed by Argentina.

The report said 7,444 Argentinians were signed by clubs in this period.

British players came third on this list, with 5,523 players.

- Europe reigns in spending list

European clubs dominated the top of the transfer fee spending list.

In the top-30 list, there were 12 English clubs, including latest English champions Manchester City.

Spain and Italy had five each in this group.

Germany had three, France and Portugal had two each, and Russia had one, being Zenit St Petersburg.

"Those 30 clubs alone spent a total of USD 22.8 billion on transfer fees in the period, representing a share of 47% of the global total," the report read.

The English clubs -- including Manchester City -- spent $12.4 billion for international transfers.

Spanish clubs spent nearly half of their English counterparts, with $6.7 billion.

Italy came third on this list with $5.6 billion in the 10-year transfer expenditures.

The report added that Manchester City signed 130 players in 2011-2020, 59.2% of them with fees, making for 77 transfers.