FIFA’s Global Transfer Report revealed on Thursday that English soccer clubs spent more than $2 billion on transfers in 2022; the first time that this amount has been hit in history. In addition, a record number of male and female transfers were completed.
Internationally, the 20,209 male player transfers conducted in 2022 represent an 11.6% rise from the previous year, while transfers involving female players almost doubled since 2018. English clubs topped the list in both categories for the most transfer funds spent.
Emilio Garcia Silvero, FIFA’s Chief Legal and Compliance officer, acknowledged that English transfer spending helped to rebound international figures following a two-year slump.
“The two-year negative trend in clubs’ spending on transfer fees was turned around in 2022, with last year’s total outlay reaching $6.5bn (£5.24bn), an increase of 33.5% compared to 2021, yet still below the all-time high of 2019,” Silvero explained.
Silvero also revealed that the number of clubs involved in international, cross-border transfers rose from 410 in 2021 to 500 in 2022; a 22% increase.
