The world of women’s football is undergoing significant changes, and one area in which this is evident is the transfer market. For a long time, free transfers were the norm even among the top clubs, and players only moved at the end of their contracts, which were often short-term. However, the landscape is changing rapidly, with more clubs spending money on transfers and contracts evolving.
In 2022, Barcelona set a new world transfer record by acquiring England international Keira Walsh, signaling a shift in the market. FIFA’s Global Transfer Report for 2022 confirmed that there were 1,555 international transfers completed during the year, up significantly from previous years. The number of clubs involved in international transfers also increased, with 500 clubs involved in 2022, more than double the number from four years earlier.
Although the vast majority of transfers within women’s football are still free transfers for out-of-contract players, the proportion of permanent transfers with a transfer agreement between clubs has more than doubled since 2021. In 2022, 7.3% of international transfers involved a transfer fee, up from 3.5% the previous year. By comparison, in men’s football, 13.3% of international transfers in 2022 involved a fee.
The total amount spent on women’s football international transfers in 2022 was $3.3m, a significant increase of 62% from the previous year. The majority of the money was spent on players between the ages of 24 and 29, with players aged 18 to 29 accounting for $2.9m of the total.
Contracts are also evolving, with 62% of contracts for players who transferred internationally in 2022 lasting one year or less. However, 21% were for up to two years, and nearly 16% were for more than two years, the highest ever share of contracts being that length.
While some are concerned about what the increase in transfer fees could mean for clubs with fewer financial resources, most see it as a positive trend overall. Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall believes that transfer fees and salaries will increase, and that transfer fees will become more common, as clubs are less likely to let contracts run out.
Manchester United has spent fees both domestically and internationally in 2022/23, paying money for the likes of Nikita Parris and Maye Le Tissier from fellow WSL sides during the summer, as well as a reported £160,000 to bring Lisa Naalsund to England from Norway this month. United boss Marc Skinner believes that while the increase in transfer fees will make the WSL more challenging, it will also make it more exciting and attract top players to the league.
In conclusion, the evolution of the transfer market is just one aspect of the rapid growth of women’s football. As the sport continues to develop, we can expect to see more changes in the years to come.
