Opening up transfer opportunities

From Japan to USA, Uruguay to South Africa and dozens of countries in between, a global community of clubs represented by over 500 executives, and a selection of agencies, convened for fast-paced transfer talks and network building at the first-ever hybrid TransferRoom Summit.

Decision-makers convened for two days in Berlin before rounding off the Summit with an additional day of online meetings, allowing them to hold crucial transfer negotiations and open up their networks for future deals, with the FIFA World Cup and January Transfer Window looming.

Colombia’s Envigado FC, the club which developed James Rodriguez, Juan Fernando Quintero and Freddy Guarin, had President Ramiro Ruiz and Sporting Director Manuel Valero attending in Germany’s capital.

They said: "The main objectives of this great event are the exchange of information on the transfer market, the strengthening of relations between clubs from all over the planet and the knowledge of new talents that emerge from Envigado's academy."

Making and retaining contacts

Building up your network is a key benefit of TransferRoom, with members gaining direct access to more than 650 clubs in over 60 countries, and that was also an important aspect of the Summit as decision-makers opened up new market opportunities.

Former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos, now Sporting Director of Servette FC in his native Switzerland, said: "Two intense and constructive days of meetings at the TransferRoom Summit in Berlin. We keep growing and developing our network."

“It is all about how you follow it up,” added Mamelodi Sundowns Sporting Director Flemming Berg, with the series of 15-minute meetings providing a platform for future negotiations.

Daniel Sandu, the Head of Scouting at Romanian club FC Rapid 1923, attending their first Summit since joining TransferRoom, said: "Being part of the TransferRoom Summit was an amazing opportunity for FC Rapid 1923 to be at the same table with the top clubs from the world.

"Having the opportunity to link with colleagues from Poland, England, Scotland, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, USA, Colombia, France, Germany and so on, made me realise that we have one chance to close the gap to bigger leagues, and that is to invest more in education and in our principles."

Championship side Cardiff City were among the many British clubs in attendance, with Head of Recruitment Kevin Beadell adding: "For us as a club, TransferRoom is now an important part of our recruitment processes. This event provided great momentum towards the January window."

Trusted Agents enhance their reputation

Agents have been on TransferRoom since Trusted Agents were first welcomed to the platform in the summer of 2021. By joining TransferRoom they are verified as the true representative of any player in their portfolio, meaning other intermediaries cannot poach their players.

Many were pitching their players and making new connections in Berlin and online at the Summit. 

Simon Misiak Friis, Owner of Pro Athletes, said: "It was a pleasure to have attended the TransferRoom summit... I can’t wait for the January window to start."

"Two very intense and constructive days at the TransferRoom Summit in Berlin,” added Libera Sports Owner Zouhair Essikal. “It was a pleasure meeting the decision makers of more than 300 clubs worldwide, and I am looking forward to transforming all those contacts into new opportunities for our players.”

Market insights in Berlin

During the two days in Berlin, there were also exclusive speaker sessions for attendees, with a trio of TransferRoom 'Super Users' - Brentford FC’s Lee Dykes, Amiens SC’s John Williams and Gerard Nijkamp of Sparta Rotterdam - sharing the keys to their transfer success on the platform and their approach to the transfer window.

TransferRoom also dug deep into the data on three big myths in football: post-international tournament signings being overpriced, clubs targeting younger players, and newly-promoted teams not buying success.