We are proud to feature in the June 2025 edition of fcbusiness magazine, where we discuss the role of foreign exchange in football transfers and how NewbridgeFX supports clubs, agencies, and players with fast, secure, and cost-effective international payments – Read the full article below:
Introduction:
NewbridgeFX, provide specialist foreign exchange and international payment services to both businesses and individuals. In the football world, that means working with clubs, agencies and players to support fast, secure and cost-effective cross-border transactions. CEO Chris Humphrey explains more.
How is Foreign exchange used in football transfers?
Foreign exchange plays a critical role in international football transfers. Most deals involve parties operating in different currencies. For example, an English club may be required to pay a transfer fee in euros to a European club. This makes currency conversion an essential part of completing the transaction.
Although a transfer fee may be agreed in the selling club’s currency, the final cost to the buying club depends on the exchange rate at the time the payment is made. Any movement in the market can have a significant financial impact, especially on high-value transfers where even minor fluctuations can result in substantial additional costs.
At NewbridgeFX, we work closely with clubs and agencies to help manage this exposure. One of the most effective tools we offer is a forward contract, which allows a club to fix an exchange rate today for settlement at a future date. This protects the club from adverse currency movements between the time a deal is agreed and when the payment is made. We also offer market orders, which enable clients to set a target rate and automatically execute a trade when that rate is reached.
In a fast-moving and competitive transfer market, these tools give clubs greater control, reduce financial uncertainty and help ensure deals stay within budget.
What is the FX market like now given some of the macroeconomic factors that have happened recently?
The FX market in recent times has been marked by volatility and uncertainty, driven by a complex set of macroeconomic factors. Central bank interest rate changes, inflation concerns, political instability and shifting global trade policies have all played a role in creating unpredictable currency movements.
For example, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank and the US Federal Reserve have all taken different approaches to interest rate policy in response to inflation, resulting in notable shifts in major currency pairs like GBP/EUR and GBP/USD. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions and global supply chain issues continue to cause ripples in the FX markets.
For football clubs and agencies, this volatility increases financial risk around transfer windows and international operations. For players, especially those with financial interests across multiple countries, it can affect how far their earnings go when making purchases, paying for property, or investing.
Football is a global business so the ability to make payments in numerous different currencies is essential. How do you help them get the best possible service across multiple currency requirements?
Football operates on a global scale, and clubs increasingly need to send and receive payments across multiple jurisdictions. At NewbridgeFX, we support international transactions in over 70 currencies, giving clubs the flexibility to operate smoothly in an international environment.
Whether making payments for player transfers, international wages, scouting and travel expenses, or overseas supplier contracts, we help clubs manage currency requirements efficiently and cost-effectively. Our online platform allows clients to view live exchange rates, hold balances in multiple currencies, and make secure payments quickly—all in one place.
In addition to the technology, every club benefits from a dedicated FX specialist who understands the operational and financial challenges of managing multi-currency exposure. We work closely with finance teams to plan, prioritise and execute international payments with speed, accuracy and at the most competitive rates available.
How do you ensure clubs are getting the best FX prices?
At NewbridgeFX, we offer clubs access to highly competitive exchange rates that are often more favourable than those provided by traditional banks. This is especially important when dealing with large international payments such as transfer fees, player wages, or overseas operational costs, where even small differences in the rate can have a significant financial impact.
Each client is supported by a dedicated FX specialist who actively monitors market conditions, provides strategic guidance and helps time transactions to take advantage of favourable movements in the currency markets. This ensures clubs are not only getting highly competitive rates but also executing trades at the right time.
In addition to offering excellent pricing, we do not charge any payment fees. This means clubs can transfer funds internationally without incurring unnecessary costs or hidden charges. Combined with our competitive pricing model and secure online platform, clubs can view live exchange rates, execute trades instantly and manage payments with complete confidence and control.
Football clubs have squads made up of multiple nationalities from across the globe. How do you help with making payments to these players in their requested currencies?
At NewbridgeFX, we understand that clubs manage diverse squads with players often requesting to be paid in different currencies. Our solution is designed to deliver flexibility, speed and efficiency.
Through our platform, clubs can access a multi-currency account that allows them to convert and hold funds in over 70 currencies. For clubs paying international players, this means they can convert funds from GBP into another currency such as euros and then make multiple payments from that balance—all from one transaction. For example, a club can convert GBP to EUR and then make five separate euro payments to different players or agents, with no payment fees on any transaction.
By removing unnecessary fees and delays and simplifying multi-currency payment management, we help clubs meet their contractual obligations efficiently while maintaining full control over their international payroll operations.
GBP/EUR Exchange Rate Impact on €25m Football Transfer
In January 2025, a football club agreed to sign a player for €25m when the GBP/EUR exchange rate was 1.2089, meaning the transfer would have cost approximately £20,679,957. However, by the time the payment was made on April 16, 2025, the rate had dropped to 1.1612, increasing the actual cost to £21,529,452 — a loss of £849,495 purely due to currency movement. Had the club worked with NewbridgeFX, it could have secured a forward contract at the January rate, locking in the cost and avoiding this loss. Our FX risk management tools help clubs protect budgets, improve financial planning, and stay compliant with Profit and Sustainability Rules.
About NewbridgeFX
At NewbridgeFX, we provide specialist foreign exchange and international payment services to both businesses and individuals. In the football world, that means working with clubs, agencies, and players to support fast, secure, and cost-effective cross-border transactions.
Security is at the core of our service. All transfers are processed through FCA-authorised and regulated financial institutions, ensuring that client funds are fully safeguarded and every transaction meets the highest regulatory and compliance standards.
About FC Business
fcbusiness is a magazine dedicated to the football industry, serving as a practical guide for those involved in managing football at all levels. Since its launch in 2004, fcbusiness has become a leading publication in the football sector. With its extensive readership of decision-makers, fcbusiness provides valuable insights, discussions, research and information on various topics that affect the football industry.
fcbusiness provides product reviews, case studies, interviews, research and commentary on various aspects of the football industry. We cover topics such as finance, stadium development, safety and security, merchandise, ticketing and hospitality, among others. fcbusiness is your primary source for information in this constantly growing industry.
Foreign exchange in football transfers
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