With the ability to contact and negotiate directly with decision-makers around the world, Fortuna have set up deals with clubs from across Europe, including Juventus and Crystal Palace, thanks to quick, accurate information about which players were really available and on what terms.

Sjoerd Ars, Fortuna’s Technical Director, said: "It is fairly easy to negotiate directly with Dutch clubs. With foreign clubs it often goes through middlemen. Most will tell you that they are the President's best friend or the Head Coach's nephew, but you don't know for sure. Now you have a huge database of players and you can communicate directly with clubs.”

TransferRoom allows members not only to see which players are available and to advertise their own, but also to pitch players directly. This interaction leads to decision-makers becoming aware of a larger number of options for transfers and loans.

Ars said: "Sometimes I put a purchase price on an offered player, sometimes not. For example, if you see an interesting right back yourself, you can indicate that you are interested via a button. Other clubs see that and can pitch similar players to you.

“This way you get 10 options instead of one. Eight of them may not be anything, but sometimes you suddenly see an interesting player that you didn't know was allowed to leave.”

TransferRoom also offers decision-makers the chance to build their networks and deepen relationships through regular Summits and Deal Days.

Fortuna has joined clubs like Liverpool, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain at these events, which have continued online during the pandemic. A speed-dating style format allows recruitment professionals to speak to multiple counterparts about potential deals in a couple of hours.

Ars said: “Travelling from Sittard to Schiphol for a meeting with one foreign club would take me longer than that. I was able to lay the foundation for possible deals in the coming transfer windows. I always like innovation and data stuff. The platform is booming. There are more clubs every Deal Day.”