The most important quantitative determinants affecting the transfer market of professional football players in Iraq

The research aimed to streamline the process for sports clubs in identifying and contracting professional players, focusing on the key quantitative determinants in the players’ transfer market to assess their technical and commercial value. Additionally, it sought to achieve financial returns for the National Federation through the management of market access and the imposition of participation fees. The researchers employed a descriptive-analytical approach with correlational analysis to examine real-world data and identify relationships among variables, addressing the research objectives and questions. The study population comprised employees of the Iraqi Football Association involved in managing the Iraqi Stars League for the 2024-2025 season. The initial measure of quantitative determinants included 61 items, which was refined to 42 after establishing its scientific foundations. Key findings highlighted the Iraqi Football Federation’s interest in establishing a professional players’ transfer market in Iraq and its intention to assist clubs in reducing the time and effort required for contracting players. Based on these results, the researchers recommended creating a “virtual sports market” for player transfers in Iraq, incorporating quantitative determinants overseen by the Technical, Competitions, and Legal Committees. Furthermore, the management of this market should be conducted by the LALIQA Association under the direct supervision of the Executive Office of the Iraqi Football Federation, ensuring effective organization, transparency, and enhanced operational efficiency.