- In 2023, clubs paid USD 888,1 million in agent commissions, the highest amount ever and an increase of 42,5% compared to 2022
- For the first time, women's professional football clubs spent more than USD 1 million on agent commissions
- English clubs were by far the biggest spenders, with a combined total of over USD 280 million
Spending on club agent commissions reached all-time highs in 2023, totaling USD 888,1 million compared to USD 623,2 million last year, according to the FIFA report on agents in international transfers .
This represents an increase of 42,5% compared to 2022 and even exceeds the previous record of 2019 (USD 654,7 million) by more than a third.
By far, European clubs have used the highest proportion of agents, which also represents the lion's share (86,6%) of global spending in this area. Likewise, they employed 86,6% of all buying club agents and 82,6% of all selling club agents.
English clubs paid out the largest amount in commissions, with a combined total of more than USD 280 million. Although they have not invested in selling club agents, Saudi Arabian clubs have the second highest spending on buying club agents, at USD 86 million. The Republic of Korea, for its part, recorded the highest share of outgoing transfers involving a selling club agent, at 31,6%.
The number of international transfers involving an agent representing the player reached a record in 2023, a total of 3. This corresponds to 353% of all transfers and is an increase of 15,4% compared to 8,4.
For the first time, women's professional football clubs spent more than USD 1 million on agent fees, with a total of just under USD 1,4 million. Club agents took part in a record 125 transfers, an increase of more than 20% compared to 2022.
Pursuant to the FIFA Agents Regulations (FFAR), the procedure to obtain a license and become a football agent was launched on January 9, 2023. It is open to everyone. During the reporting period (January 1, 2023 – November 30, 2023), FIFA received 19.973 license applications. 9.207 candidates took the exam on one of the two proposed dates. The first session took place on April 19, 2023 in 138 member associations and the second on September 20, 2023 in 157 member associations. 32,6% of the 9.207 participants passed the exam.
In line with its aim of increasing the transparency of the transfer system in football, FIFA publishes an annual report on agents. Due to the adoption and entry into force of the new FACT , the report presents for the first time not only in-depth analyzes of agent activity in international transfers, but also instructive information on the licensing system recently implemented.
