Mikhail A. Bida, Olga A. Klachkova Clusterization of Football Clubs Based on their Transfer Policy

DOI: 10.38050/2078-3809-2026-18-3-87-116

Abstract

This article identifies the main strategy profiles that guide football clubs in the transfer market. To account for hidden relationships, models combining network, sporting, and economic characteristics (stochastic blockmodeling and ensemble methods) were used. Based on the strategy profiles and regional divisions obtained in the study, segments of competing clubs can be identified that share common goals and compete for the same types of players. The transfer network is divided into "talent donors", "stagnant" clubs, "regional leaders", and "grands." Clubs in each segment compete for players not only within their own country but also with foreign teams. A club's transfer policy should be guided by both regional and financial-economic factors across the entire market, not just a single championship. The choice of strategy in the transfer market should be determined in accordance with the club's long-term objectives, and the team's management should analyze its market position to more effectively negotiate with other clubs and agents.

Keywords: football, transfer market, clustering, stochastic blockmodeling, self-organizing maps, transfer policy, sports economics.

JEL: Z21, L83, M21.

For citation: Bida, M.A., Klachkova, O.A. (2026) Clusterization of Football Clubs Based on their Transfer Policy. Scientific Research of Faculty of Economics. Electronic Journal, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 87-116. DOI: 10.38050/2078-3809-2026-18-3-87-116.

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