CIES Demographic Report 2014: increase in transfers and reduction in club-trained players

The increase in the number of transfers and the declining number of players trained by European clubs are the main pieces of information from the 2014 Demographic Study from the CIES (International Centre for Sports Studies) Football Observatory, Neuchâtel (SUI), released on 21/01/2014.

This 96-page publication consists of five chapters that statistically analyse 31 top division leagues of UEFA member associations, 472 clubs and 11,653 players. "In general, the number of transfers carried out by teams during the current season is at an all-time high. A trend that is difficult to understand given the actual climate with its numerous financial difficulties," said the Football Observatory.

The gradual decline of club-trained players "which has attained its lowest level since 2009." Club-trained players are only at 21.2% in 2013-14, according to the report. 36.8% of players in the 31 championships are expatriates, which is an all-time high. 49.3% of players have migrated internationally at least one time during their career.

"This report offers stable criteria to objectively compare…