The Fekadu Financial Power Index - Part III
Authored by Dr. Sololeya Fekadu, Dean of the College of Sports Studies at Northern Moravica University
Hello again! And I am back here to bring you part III of the Financial Power Index, developed here at Northern Moravica University (Banija).
Today, we’re going to focus on the individuals, rather than associations or teams. Which players(or managers) have dominated the transfer markets? Who, historically, are the wealthiest transfers of all-time? What is the bar? Who is the bar?
We’re going to go through this, in depth. First, we’re going to go through the wealthiest international transfers of the last three windows. That’s right- a comprehensive list of every player who sold for at least $25 million NSDs in the last three windows. A total of 12 people hit that mark. We’ll talk about their abilities, why they went for so much, and their value to their clubs.
And then, secondly, we’re going to the only part of the project that goes even further back. Who is the most expensive player of all time? We’re going to talk about the 14 players, since Transfer Window 1, who have sold for at least $50 million NSDs. What is the most valuable transfer of all time? Can anyone coming forward even sniff that mark?
Now, of course, as with Parts I and II, we cannot, unfortunately, provide an analysis of all 26 transfers on this list. The ability to go back, when we have transfers all the way from the 4th window on this list, and give an analysis is quite limited(give to NMU!)
So, in that interest, we are going to give an analysis for the Top 12 transfers of the last three windows. We will not give an individual analysis for the $50 million dollar players- but they will be listed, and we will give an overall analysis of that list.
And without further ado…
Top 12 Transfers of the Last Three Windows
All financials in NSDs.
#11: D C Manolo Cesar Chavez(AUD). Price: $25 million. Selling Team: KT Itzalovalle(AUD). Buying Team: Mar Sara FC(VAL). Transfer Window 22.
The first $25 million man we will talk about, he was sold as a consequence of his club’s relegation in the Audioslavian pyramid. The bidding war over who would get to benefit from his services was strong. He was the subject of a bidding war in the 22nd transfer window. The asking price from the Audioslavian club was $18 million NSDs, and both the Sabrefell Moths, of Nephara, and Langtree United, of Mercedini, met that price. However, that was not the entirety of the bidding war.
Old Birmingham City, from Velestria(then Razenthuria), put out a large $21 million bid for this talented, young defender. But it was the Vanorian club who would step up and blow them out of the water. They offered a staggering bid of $25 million dollars, and at that point, what was the question? They had blown every bid out of the water. That give KT Itzalovalle quite a bit of money to work to try and work their way back up the Audioslavian pyramid. How has it worked out? Well, he is a talented defender for the Vanorians, but he, now 25, has not been able to break onto his national team’s preferred starting XI, though there is still plenty of time for the defender who is just about to enter his prime.
#11: F Claudio Romano(PAS). Price: $25 million. Selling Team: AZ Izotz Zubia(AUD). Buying Team: Sabrefell Moths(NPH). Transfer Window 22.
Claudio Romano, the Pasargan star striker, was just 25 years old when he hit the market- a man about to enter his prime. The asking price for him was set at $25 million, which is certainly a high bar. But for a man of his talents, for a man of his playmaking and striking ability? He was always going to fetch the asking price, even if few teams could meet it. It was the Moths who set the bar, bidding at that asking price. A Velestrian club(then Razenthurian) came in later, bidding a shocking $36 million dollars. While AZ Izotz Zubia, of course, accepted that bid, Romano would not go to Velestria, not wanting to go to that upstart league.
Romano then signed with the Sabrefell Moths. Was the move successful? It would be hard to argue that it wasn’t. Romano is at the center of their attack, and he is a man who scored 28 league goals just last season in the Nepharim Premiership. While dominant at the club level, he is not in the starting XI for his national team, coming off the bench for a stacked Pasarga side. Still- almost every nation in the world would be lucky to have him, and the talented striker surely has years left to break into the Pasargan starting XI.
#9: ST Alexander Karpaty(PAS). Price: $30 million. Selling Team: Mallox(COS). Buying Team: Crawford City(COS). Transfer Window 23
The only same nation transfer on this list. Alexander Karpaty, the Pasargan striker, being sold from Mallox to Crawford City within Cosumar. He is the one who has the second starting spot up top for the Pasarga national team, ahead of his national compatriot just behind him on this list.
The move seems to have paid off for Crawford City. First season at Crawford City, and his side ended up winning the league title in Cosumar. Cannot complain about that, right? And the man, now in his prime for Pasarga, is going to be expected to do big things for both club and country. He has a large responsibility on his shoulders, and it shows in the number of dollars Crawford City was willing to shell out.
#9: CF Dean Sharp(EUR). Price: $30 millon. Selling Team: Directus(EUR). Buying Team: 1830 Cathair(AUD). Transfer Window 24.
Dean Sharp is leaving home, and hitting new pastures. The Euran center forward, tipped by many to be a budding star, was sold after another, even bigger money transfer to have a new strike partner for Martel-Burns. That player, of course, is named later in this list. This was a quality move for both sides- with Sharp being sold to make room for another striker, he will still be able to get playing time, and most importantly, stake his claim to be a Euran international, one of the toughest countries in the multiverse to have the privilege of wearing the jersey.
#7: LW/ST Brian Bond(EUR). Price: $32 million. Selling Team: Oakstone(EUR). Buying Team: Eastweald(COS). Transfer Window 23
Another Euran on this list. But instead of coming back to his home country, he decided to leave his homeland for greener pastures. The pastures, specifically, of Cosumar. Eastweald is one of the wealthiest, most historic teams in Cosumar, and the player certainly has the talent to perform in a league as tough as Cosumar’s however. Though, of course, it helps, when you come from a league like Eura’s.
The player is being tipped as one with true superstar potential. He is a physical wonder, who is strong and fast, while technically still very capable. That rare combination, especially coming up in a youth system as grueling as Eura’s, means he’s going to go on and do special things at both the club and international level. We’ll see what kind of impact he has in Eastweald over the long haul, and weather or not he can help the club fulfill their ambitions.
#7: ST Wilfriend Baume(VLD). Price: $32 million. Selling Team: Fontvielle Impact(VLD). Buying Team: AC Izotz Zubia(AUD). Transer Window 24.
The highly sought after striker from Valladares, just 25 years old, was the subject of a bidding war this transfer window. And after World Cup Qualifying and Finals are over, Baume will be taking a flight to Audioslavia, to paly for AC Izotz Zubia, one of the multiverse’s more ambitious clubs.
There was a major bidding war for the services of Baume. His list price was $25 million, and there was at least 5 bids for the player. First, of course, the Dwile Warriors, from Apox, came in with a $22 million dollar bid- which was flatly rejected by the Impact. And then, the club that ended up with him bid $25 million, the asking price- and yet, that was rejected by the Impact, who sensed that they could fetch even more than the list price. And then the Euran club, Ulsa, bid $27 million ,while the Dwile Warriors, from Apox, came back with a $31 million dollar bid. But it was AC Izotz Zubia who would win this tug of war in the end, landing the highest bid at $32 million for his services.
And that has a chance of being money well spent. Just 25 years old, Baume has been dominant in Liga-1. Led the league in scoring three times, won the Silver Ball twice, and won the Golden Ball twice as well. And now, has cashed in on his considerable talents with the Audioslavian side. We’ll see if he can continue to perform at such a high level in Audioslavia, as he continues to make the climb up the ladder.
#6: ST Estrella Hawke(NPH). Price: $37.5 million. Selling Team: Sabrefell Athletic(NPH). Buying Team: Directus(EUR). Transfer Window 24.
A transfer between the multiverse’s two wealthiest associations- the Nephara international, Estrella Hawke, selling for $37.5 million dollars to Directus, of Eura. The second of two big money transfers at the position for the Euran club, Hawke is known by many as a very talented striker at a very good club- Sabrefell Athletic. Was Hawke sold to make room for an even bigger name, down the list? Who knows? But here’s what we do know- the pundits are saying that she might be known as Nephara’s best striker ever, which is quite the accolades to be levelling.
She has been valued at quite a high price, and now she will have the opportunity to make a name for herself at one of Eura’s biggest clubs. The move abroad, and the pairing with Martel-Burns, means that there will not be any shortage of goals for Directus, as they compete to win a trophy after two straight second place finishes in the league. If Hawke can rise to the occasion here, in Eura, then maybe she can make the club from her home country regret selling her.
#5: RW Luis Silva(DRP). Price: $38 million. Selling Team: Sporting CD(DRP). Buying Team: AC 317 Roses(VLZ). Transfer Window 24
And now, for Luis Silva. Easily the only person on this list who is from a nation that is traditionally considered a minnow, he made a big money transfer to another nation that is not considered large in this sport- VElestria. Of course, Velestria is making a rapid climb up the table, and it is big money transfers like this, to get an influx of talent, that will be able to put them on the map, and quickly.
The Dreamplanet winger was captain for both club and country, and that says a lot about him as a person, and as a leader. AC 317 Roses are easily Velestria’s biggest side, and this move should be able to work out for both sides. Many question why this purchase was valued so high- Silva worth more than Hawke. But in sports, a feeling of disrespect is a powerful motivator. Expect Silva to come out with lots of motivation next season, to prove his worth of $38 million dollars.
#4: ST Corinne Martel-Burns(SCT). Price: $40 million. Selling Team: Tihon Tide(CMT). Buying Team: Directus(EUR). $40 million. Transfer Window 22.
Corinne Martel-Burns was a talented Schottian striker. Then at age 25, like many others on this list, she was entering her prime. And think about it like this- the year before, when she was 24 years old, she was a starter on one of the most dominant teams the multiverse has seen in a long time- the champions of World Cup 79, Schottia. As a striker on that team, she was always destined to be a star.
Not only was she a player on that team, not just a starter, but a superstar. She scored twice in the World Cup 79 Final, including the game winning goal, late in regulation, to put win the World Cup. How more clutch can you get? Nobody’s asking how she got onto this list. Forever a legend in Schottia for her contributions wearing the jersey, she sold for $40 million NSDs to Directus, of Eura, in the 22nd window. She has been stellar at Directus, with 45 league goals in Eura over the last two seasons, and solid success for the Euran giants, with two second place finishes in the league. However, it is looking likely that she’ll now be given an even more powerful partner in a strike pair, with Estrella Hawke on her way to Eura. That makes the club one of the most powerful, at least up front, in the multiverse. Will they lead Directus to a trophy?
#2: F C Desya Kuznetsov(AUD). Price: $50 million. Selling Team: Cazadores Cathair(AUD). Buying Team: Brinemouth(NPH). Transfer Window 23.
The player, priced at $45 million dollars, who sold for an incredible $50 million, now has one season under their belt at one of the world’s biggest clubs, Brinemouth. The Nepharim club had dropped an incredible $50 million dollars on this player in the 23rd transfer window, and even with this massive splash of cash, they weren’t done for the window. Keep reading along, however, we certainly have not mentioned the last of Brinemouth in this index.
Now, many of you might say- how can a player be worth $50 million dollars? Well, it’s hard to argue Kuznetsov’s first season was anything but a complete and total success. Not only did Kuznetsov help lead Brinemouth to the league title, Kutnetsov led the Nepharim Premiership with a staggering 40 league goals- scoring at a rate of .87 goals per game. That was 12 more goals than the #2 goalscorer, Estrella Hawke. An absolutely dominant season made Kuznetsov worth every penny, and this investment looks like it’s certain to pay off for the long-term.
#2: ST Sipke Tarala(VIL). Price: $50 million. Selling Team: Lonngeylin Coast(VIL). Buying Team: Sabrefell Athletic(NPH). Transfer Window 24.
Like the aforementioned Martel-Burns, the Schottian striker, Tarala is a superstar international for the Vilitan national team. Tarala has done something that only a handful of players have done over the course of their international careers- have multiple World Cup trophies. Now, as for me, I’m not sure which individual has the most World Cup trophies. Di Bradini, of Starblaydia, would be my best guess? Regardless, the supremely talented player was the top goalscorer for the World champions at World Cup 81, firing Vilita to a trophy.
Tarala has won all kinds of trophies in Vilita, winning a combined 5 club trophies, and being named the Vilitan League player of the year four times, as well as leading the league in goalscoring four times. Dominance- and now, the two-time World Cup champion has made the big money move to Sabrefell Athletic. The other Sabrefell side is looking to be ambitious, and a big money signing like this shows that they are serious about bringing trophies to Sabrefell. We’ll have to wait and see if this can be a success.
#1: RW Bryger Tidesson(COS). Price: $65 million. Selling Team: Real Azuris(COS). Buying Team: Brinemouth(NPH). Transfer Window 23.
The most expensive transfer of the past three windows. The Cosumarite superstar, Bryger Tidesson, is widely hailed in Cosumar, and he has an incredible weight on his shoulders- it is a responsibility to be the largest signing of your era, and that role falls to Tidesson. He, of course, comes from a family where 5 children, including himself, are all playing the sport professionally. Imagine meeting them, and when you ask about their kids. Pretty good parenting job, if you ask me.
Regardless, let’s focus back on the man of the hour. Banijan fans will remember Tidesson breaking Banijan hearts at the AOCAF LVII, when he scored the lone goal of that Banija v. Cosumar quarterfinal. Tidesson is a star player, and is so deadly at feeding the ball to Kuznetsov- it’s no wonder this Brinemouth spending spree was a wild success. Is he overshadowed by Kuznetsov? They both made the XI of the year, but it was Kuznetsov who led the lead in goals, and Kuznetsov who won the Iron Ball, and the Iron First- the Nepharim Premiership’s awards for Player of the Year, and League Debutant of the Year.
Brinemouth is basking in the glow of winning the league, of course, so there aren’t going to be complaints about roster building. But who was the better buy- Tidesson, or Kuznetsov? Or is it too early to tell? I’m sure we’ll see this debate rehashed over the coming years as the two players continue to play together for the same club.
Top 14 Transfers of All-Time
All financials in NSDs.
#13: F C Desya Kuznetsov(AUD). Price: $50 million. Selling Team: Cazadores Cathair(AUD). Buying Team: Brinemouth(NPH). Transfer Window 23.
#13: ST Sipke Tarala(VIL). Price: $50 million. Selling Team: Lonngeylin Coast(VIL). Buying Team: Sabrefell Athletic(NPH). Transfer Window 24.
#11: RW Bryger Tidesson(COS). Price: $65 million. Selling Team: Real Azuris(COS). Buying Team: Brinemouth(NPH). Transfer Window 23.
#11: COACH Val Kylx(SLE). Price: $65 million. Selling Team: Jaunepoint Herault(NSI). Buying Team: Fontvielle FC(YTT). Transfer Window 4.
#10: ST Xavier Hertel(QUE). Price: $66 million. Selling Team: Fontvielle FC(YTT). Buying Team: CD FAS(SJG). Transfer Window 8.
#9: ST Philippus Vagionius(SNT). Price: $75.3 million. Selling Team: St.Paulus(SNT). Buying Team: Republica FC(ACD). Transfer Window 9.
#8: FW Octavius Ioda(COS). Price: $75.4 million. Selling Team: Versiaville SC(COS). Buying Team: Vultures(ACD). Transfer Window 9.
#7: Valrauncion(KRY). Price: $82.5 million. Selling Team: Ousevale Borough(KRY). Buying Team: Telecontare(STB). Transfer Window 11.
#6: CAM Prince Andreas(SNT). Price: $90 million. Selling Team: St.Petrus(SNT). Buying Team: Manechester City HC(EQS). Transfer Window 9.
#5: ST Val Kylx(SLE). Price: $91.69 million. Selling Team: Fontvieille FC(YTT). Buying Team: Manechester City HC(EQS). Transfer Window 7.
#4: MF Allejo(NSI). Price: $95 million. Selling Team: Carnival Samba(NSI). Buying Team: Fontvieille FC(YTT). Transfer Window 9.
#3: CM Lorenzo Jara(SAN). Price: $97 million. Selling Team: SL University of Physiology(SAN). Buying Team: Jaunepont Herault(NSI). Transfer Window 12.
#2: CF Valrauncion(KRY). Price: $99.9 million. Selling Team: Telecontare(STB). Buying Team: AC Izotz Zubia(AUD). Transfer Window 21.
#1: AMC Laborious Hawk(VAL). Price: $101 million. Selling Team: Dwile Warriors(APX). Buying Team: AC Izotz Zubia(AUD). Transfer Window 14.
Thoughts of Dr. Fekadu
Thought #1- Val Kylx- well before my time, is on this list twice. Val Kylx had an interesting career, clearly. Sold for $65 million dollars in the 4th window- but as a coach. And then, he resurrected his playing career after a period coaching, and sold for over $90 million dollars to Manechester City. What a talent.
Thought #2- Valrauncion is the second player to appear on this list twice. The elf from Krytenia sold for $82.5 million in the 11th transfer window- one of the wealthiest transfers of all time. And then, a shocking ten windows later, Valrauncion sold again, but this time, for $99.9 million dollars- just $100,000 short of being the second $100 million dollar player of all time.
Thought #3- AC Izotz Zubia, of Audioslavia, is a historic big money spender. They are responsible for the two wealthiest transfers of all time- $99.9 million on the aforementioned Valrauncion. And, of course, $101 million dollars on Laborious Hawk, from Valanora. Laborious Hawk, of course, is the only player in the history of the window, valued at 9 figures. What a record, right?
Thank you for joining us for part III of this index! The final part of the index is on its way- we will be ranking the top 20 wealthiest clubs in the multiverse. Which clubs has the most firepower? Come back, and you’ll find out.