A click away from an international signing

Is he available? How much will he cost? Is he interested in joining my club? Being successful in the transfer market requires access to the right information and the right people. 

For AIK Sporting Director Henrik Jurelius, the answer to all three questions came in the form of the declared interest button on TransferRoom, enabling them to collect critical market information with the most minimal of effort.

Indeed that button was pushed when AIK became aware of Swedish international Jordan Larsson’s potential availability at Spartak Moscow following the outbreak of war in Ukraine. In the wake of Russia’s invasion, FIFA gave special dispensation for foreign players in either country to suspend their contracts and find a temporary club elsewhere. 

According to TransferRoom, Larsson had an Expected Transfer Value (xTV) of around €9m when he moved on loan to AIK. A player well beyond the traditional financial reaches of any Swedish club, but extenuating circumstances and a connection made on TransferRoom helped secure the deal.  

Even after many years in the game, you can’t know everyone at every club. 

Alerted to Larsson’s potential availability but unsure of the correct contact at Spartak, Jurelius declared interest in the striker on TransferRoom and soon received a call from the Russian club’s Sporting Director to complete the loan deal. 

“It’s about the contacts you make, whether on the platform or at the live events, where you save a lot of time meeting 180 clubs,” said Jurelius.

“Loans should be beneficial for the two clubs and the player, but it is not always easy to find a perfect match. The information you get and can share on TransferRoom helps find those matches that suit everyone.”

Finding the perfect loan matches

As with many clubs across Scandinavia, there is a strong focus on the academy at AIK to fuel the first team and, eventually, boost transfer revenue.

Having direct access to the needs and wants of more than 800 clubs worldwide and their decision-makers, enables AIK to find temporary homes for some of those young players in need of first team football.

Jurelius continued: “We have eight players out on loan, and some of those are due to the work on TransferRoom where we found good partner clubs.

“If you have a player who you feel in pre-season that his lack of playing time will be a problem, then you have to find a solution. TransferRoom helps find that solution.”