Soccer agent fees have exceeded $600 million for the first time in 2019, despite English international transfers dropped with a third for the period – $103.6 million.
$653.9 million were spent in agent fees
Data from FIFA’s ITMS (International Transfer Matching System), used by all 211 FIFA member countries and over 7,500 professional clubs around the world, showed that $653.9 million were spent on agents commissions and intermediaries in the year to date. The amount equals to 19.3% more than than the whole of 2018.
According to FIFA’s statistics, over 17 000 transfers were completed in 2019. 3 357 of these transfers involved one intermediary, at least.
Clubs in England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Portugal are responsible for over 80% of the total sum spent on commissions. It’s interesting to note that Portuguese clubs spent almost half as much on agent fees as on transfers.
On the other hand, England spent $103.6 million on commissions for international transfers. That’s a 33% drop from 2018, where the figure was $156.1 million.
Money football teams spent on intermediaries by year:
- 2019 – $653.9 million
- 2018 – $548.4 million
- 2017 – $447.3 million
- 2016 – $387.2 million
- 2015 – $297.9 million
- 2014 – $241.2 million
This year’s top-earning agent is Jonathan Barnett who earned $128 in commissions. Some of his high profile clients include Gareth Bale, Jordan Pickford, Saul Niguez, and Luke Shaw.
There are two more soccer managers in the top 5 in 2019. Jorge Mendes ($118 million) is in 3rd and Mino Raiola ($70.3 million) – 5th.
