Germany/DFL: €2.2m paid to 113 amateur clubs that trained professionals players who debuted in 2024-25

The DFL (Deutsche Fußball Liga) has distributed €2.2m to 113 amateur clubs playing below the third division (3.Liga) and who participated in training 65 players who made their debut in the two professional divisions, Bundesliga or 2.Bundesliga, in 2024-25, announced the German professional league on 27/11/2025.

"This coaching can take place at any point from the season of the player’s 6^th birthday to the season of their 21^st birthday," said the DFL.

Clubs received €5,250 for each full season of training between the player's 6^th and 11^th birthdays (compared with €4,200 previously), and €6,750 per season between their 12^th and 21^st birthdays (€5,400 previously). This reward system, revised by the DFL in favour of amateur clubs, was first implemented in the 2017-18 season. Prior to this date, only the five previous seasons before each player's debut were considered.

More than €13m has been paid to clubs below 3.Liga since the 2017-18 season, according to the league responsible for organising the Bundesliga and the 2.Bundesliga, which paid €1,7m to 116 clubs for the 2023-24 season (for 67…