Belgian football clubs set record for outgoing transfers
Belgian football has set a new transfer record this summer. Clubs in the Jupiler Pro League and Challenger Pro League have already collected 381 million euros from outgoing transfers, surpassing last year’s record of 314 million euros. The figures were announced by the Pro League on Monday evening, before the end of the transfer period.
Belgium’s reputation as a talent exporter is stronger than ever. European top clubs are increasingly targeting Belgian clubs and academies and are willing to pay record sums for their players.
Club Brugge led the way with the 36 million euro transfer of Swiss midfielder Ardon Jashari to AC Milan, the most expensive outgoing deal in Belgian football history.
"This is not luck, but the result of years of investment in youth development and coaching"
English clubs in particular proved eager to shop in Belgium. Maxime De Cuyper, Chemsdine Talbi, Tolu Arokodare and Senne Lammens all moved to Premier League sides this summer, each commanding transfer fees of over 20 million euros.
“The provisional balance sheet for the transfer period shows a positive balance of 234 million euros. That is higher than the combined total of the two previous transfer windows,” Pro League CEO Lorin Parys said on Monday.
“It demonstrates the strength of our training model. This is not luck, but the result of years of investment in youth development and coaching.”
Global market
The record comes against the backdrop of a booming international market. According to a FIFA report, clubs worldwide spent a total of 9.76 billion dollars (8.38 billion euros) between 1 June and 2 September, more than 50 per cent higher than in 2024. Nearly 12,000 transfers were registered, another all-time high.
Once again, English clubs dominated the market, spending more than 3 billion dollars (2.57 billion euros). The summer’s biggest move came on deadline day, when Alexander Isak joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for 145 million euros.
Women’s football also saw unprecedented growth. With 12.3 million dollars (10.56 million euros) in transfer spending, the market expanded by 80 per cent compared to last year. More than 1,100 transfers were recorded, with the US leading in both investment and player movement.
Ardon Jashari, the new signing for AC Milan from Club Brugge © BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
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