ZURICH: World transfer activity topped $4bn for the first time in the past years according to the fourth annual report extracted from the world football federations’ computerised transfer matching system.

In 2014, transfer activity rose by 2.9pc to 13,090 transfers (up from 12,718) while the total amount of declared transfer fees rose by 2.1pc to $4.06 bn (up from $3.98bn). English clubs were responsible for more than a quarter of the spend.

For the first time, the report compares international transfers at a club-level, based on data provided by a select number of clubs, in addition to the patterns and trends of the market at country, regional and global level.

Another new feature is the inclusion of a breakdown of minor applications, which must be submitted in the international transfer matching system for all players whether male, female, amateur or professional. This section includes a list of the main countries engaging minors in 2014.

Highlights of the report include:

• In 2014, FIFA TMS handled 13,090 international transfers (increase of 2.9 per cent on 2013) with a combined transfer compensation value of $4.06bn (increase of 2.1pc);

• Brazil was the most active country in the market, recording 646 incoming transfers and 689 outgoing transfers;

• England was the country that spent the most on transfer fees in 2014 ($1.17bn) while Spain was the biggest receiver ($667m);

• The average age of players transferred during the year was 25 years and 6 months;

• $236 million was paid in club intermediary commissions for international transfers throughout 2014 compared with $218m in 2013 (increase of 8.2pc)

The report is available for download at www.fifatms.com

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