Youth Transfer Fees

Youth transfer fees are basically assets traded for youth soccer players in professional affiliated development teams between those professional teams. If a professional team invests in the youth’s future career, there is perceived value if that developed player is traded to another professional development club. It’s basically like contracts for youth careers. If your player is doing well but another club wants to recruit them based on their potential, you would be reimbursed for your investment.

On one side it makes sense, because there is a lot of money being invested in some of these programs. For example: lodging, traveling, promotion, etc. Shouldn’t a club be paid back in some sense for their dedication to that player? They did provided the resources that helped mold the players into budding stars.

On the other side, is it right to be involved with this type of management in a youth’s career? Shouldn’t youth soccer be a fun environment, free of this type of baggage? Whether you’re running a rec league or a select, isn’t it up to the kids how much they push themselves? There is lurking suspicion of these players not being in full control of their development.

We found an article advocating that it’s time for the US to get on board considering the positive direction the MLS is heading (read the article here). Take a minute to go through it and decide for yourself. Either way you choose it brings up good points on whether the US is ready or willing to take that step.

Leave your thoughts below.

~Sam@bluesombrero.com

Comments

[Kim Williams]

Absolutely not! The parents are the ones doing the investing.

[docguru]

From my perspective it is the players parents that need to be paid. Although the club is essential in helping develop a player it is ultimately the parents who invested their $$ to help finance the club (through coaches fees, sign up fees etc.) during their son or daughters developmental years.