Football’s Cross-Border Spending Frenzy Sets Another Record

Football’s international transfer market has set another financial record. Clubs around the world spent $9.89 billion on player deals that moved money across national borders during the summer window, according to a FIFA analysis.

The figure amounts to nearly 64 billion Danish kroner, about 1 billion kroner more than the previous summer. FIFA’s calculation covers only international transfers, not deals completed entirely within one country.

Danish clubs spent $70.8 million, roughly 455 million kroner, on players from foreign clubs. They also recorded a surplus from transfers abroad, sending players overseas for about 1.25 billion kroner. Among the players sold were FC Nordsjælland’s Caleb Yirenkyi, who moved to English club Brighton, and FC Midtjylland’s Franculino, who joined Trabzonspor.

The spending gap between men’s and women’s football remains wide, but the women’s market is growing. Clubs spent $28.6 million on international women’s transfers, about 184 million kroner and more than twice last summer’s total.

English clubs spent the most in both markets. Men’s clubs in England spent nearly 20 billion kroner on international transfers, while women’s clubs spent just over 50 million kroner.