January 2025 transfer window breaks multiple records

ISTANBUL

Transfer activity during the 2024-25 winter window, which ran from Jan. 1 to Feb. 4, set new numbers and total spending records, FIFA announced on Friday.

FIFA's International Transfer Snapshot shows that men’s professional football witnessed a record-breaking 5,863 international transfers in January. This figure marks the highest ever recorded for a January transfer window, surpassing the previous record from January 2024 by almost 20%.

Clubs spent a staggering $2.35 billion on international transfer fees in January, setting a new all-time high for the month. This amount represents a 57.9% increase from January 2024 and is 47.1% higher than the record set in January 2023.

In men's football, English clubs spent the most during the winter transfer window, investing $621.6 million in transfer fees. They were followed by clubs in Germany ($295.7 million), Italy ($223.8 million), France ($209.7 million), and Saudi Arabia ($202.1 million).

On the other hand, French clubs received the highest amount in transfer fees ($371.0 million), followed by clubs in Germany ($226.2 million), England ($185.2 million), Portugal ($176.4 million), and Italy ($162 million).

The most expensive signing of the January transfer window was Colombian forward Jhon Duran.

The 21-year-old forward completed a high-profile move from Aston Villa to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr for nearly $79.97 million, with additional add-ons included in the deal.

Meanwhile, January 2025 was the first-ever transfer window in women's professional football to witness transfers with fees of more than $1 million.