A FIFA first: Football’s transfer figures released | CNN

A FIFA first: Football’s transfer figures released

Tom McGowan, CNN
2 minute read
Published 8:46 AM EST, Tue March 6, 2012
The average age of a player transferred internationally was 23, with Argentina star Sergio Aguero a high-profile example. The striker swapped Atletico Madrid for Manchester City in July. The TMS states that the majority of transfers were for players between the ages of 22 and 27. The oldest player to move between countries was 46 according to the figures.
Average transfer age: 23 —
The average age of a player transferred internationally was 23, with Argentina star Sergio Aguero a high-profile example. The striker swapped Atletico Madrid for Manchester City in July. The TMS states that the majority of transfers were for players between the ages of 22 and 27. The oldest player to move between countries was 46 according to the figures.
According to football's global governing body FIFA, an international player transfer was conducted every 45 minutes in 2011. Coincidentally, the same length of one half of a game of football.
A transfer completed every 45 minutes —
According to football's global governing body FIFA, an international player transfer was conducted every 45 minutes in 2011. Coincidentally, the same length of one half of a game of football.
The amount paid by clubs in compensation during international transfers was $3 billion, according to the TMS. Although some teams splashed out on expensive names, such as Paris Saint-Germain's reported $56 million outlay on Javier Pastore, the average transfer fee was $1.5 million.
Total amount paid: $3 billion —
The amount paid by clubs in compensation during international transfers was $3 billion, according to the TMS. Although some teams splashed out on expensive names, such as Paris Saint-Germain's reported $56 million outlay on Javier Pastore, the average transfer fee was $1.5 million.
Although football clubs paid huge sums to purchase superstars last year, 70% of all international transfers in 2011 were of players who were out of contract. One such example is Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel (pictured), who moved from Bayern Munich to AC Milan after his contract was terminated.
Out of contract moves: 70% —
Although football clubs paid huge sums to purchase superstars last year, 70% of all international transfers in 2011 were of players who were out of contract. One such example is Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel (pictured), who moved from Bayern Munich to AC Milan after his contract was terminated.
The TMS calculated that the average annual wage for a footballer is estimated to be $244,000, but this figure is influenced by a low percentage of players who are on huge wages -- such as Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Average wage: $244,000 —
The TMS calculated that the average annual wage for a footballer is estimated to be $244,000, but this figure is influenced by a low percentage of players who are on huge wages -- such as Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
Of all international transfers in 2011, 20% of them involved Brazilian and Argentine players. Brazil accounted for 13% of all international transfers, which equates to 1,500 players. Andre Santos is one such player, after the Brazil left-back moved from Fenerbahce to Arsenal in August.
Brazilian and Argentine movers: 20% —
Of all international transfers in 2011, 20% of them involved Brazilian and Argentine players. Brazil accounted for 13% of all international transfers, which equates to 1,500 players. Andre Santos is one such player, after the Brazil left-back moved from Fenerbahce to Arsenal in August.
The Transfer Matching System also takes into account the international transfer on minors (players under 18). European minnow Albania were involved in the highest number of international transfers for minors, ahead of Brazil and France.
Most 'minor' transfers: Albania —
The Transfer Matching System also takes into account the international transfer on minors (players under 18). European minnow Albania were involved in the highest number of international transfers for minors, ahead of Brazil and France.
Football transfers 2011

Story highlights

FIFA have released figures regarding international football transfers in 2011

The figures take into account players who moved between two different countries

The numbers were gathered using the Transfer Matching System (TMS), first introduced in 2009

TMS helps regulate international transfers and makes sure FIFA's rules are adhered to

CNN  — 

The global football transfer market is big business, with star players swapping countries, even continents to play for richer, more prestigious clubs.

The exact figures involved in these transactions are often difficult to ascertain, but football’s world governing body, FIFA have introduced a system which allows the transfer market to be accurately tracked and analyzed.

The Transfer Matching System (TMS) was first conceived in 2007 and was designed as a way of monitoring international transfers and ensuring FIFA’s regulations were adhered to.

In 2009, former Cameroon defender Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe became the first player to switch clubs using the TMS when he left Celtic in Scotland for French club Toulouse.

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football pinto javier pastore psg_00001110
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Related video Javier Pastore predicts PSG success

And last week FIFA were able to release a full year’s worth of figures for the first time for international transfers conducted between January 1 to December 31 2011.

“Thanks to TMS, football authorities have access for the first time to global, directly reported data on the transfer market,” read FIFA’s first annual Global Transfer Market release.

“As additional information is entered in the system and we continue to work to enhance the integrity and usability of the data, future editions will be able to provide unparalleled insight into the evolution of the global market for international football.”

So, if you want to know how often an international transfer was made, the total amount spent on international transfers or the average wage of a footballer, check out the above gallery.

Data from all 208 of FIFA’s member associations was collected. Some of the results may surprise you.