ABSTRACT

Clubs compete for talented players to succeed in the global football industry. Drawing on a network analytical framework, this research explores how endogenous and exogenous factors influence the partner selection process in the player transfer market. The boundary of the transfer network consists of 98 football clubs from the top five European leagues. Using exponential random graph models (ERGMs), the current study confirms that clubs have a significantly high propensity of exchanging players. Player transactions often occur through closed triads, such that clubs tended to make a deal with those who shared the same third partners. Additionally, league type and match performance produce stable and significant effects on the formation of transfer ties. Practical implications are also discussed.

摘要

俱乐部争夺才华横溢的球员，以在全球足球行业取得成功。本研究利用网络分析框架，探讨内生和外生因素如何影响球员转会市场中的合作伙伴选择过程。转会网络的边界由来自欧洲前五名联赛的98家足球俱乐部组成。使用指数随机图模型 (ERGM)，当前的研究证实，俱乐部交换球员的倾向非常高。球员交易通常通过封闭的三合会发生，因此俱乐部倾向于与共享相同第三方合作伙伴的人进行交易。此外，联赛类型和比赛表现对转会关系的形成产生稳定而显着的影响。还讨论了实际意义。