Belgian player Jean-Marc Bosman was allowed to transfer to second-division French side USL Dunkerque, following a lawsuit against his old club, Belgium’s RFC Liège and the Belgian FA. The Bosman ruling in 1995 had a major influence on transfers. The summer transfer window in 2015 saw the introduction of the new Transfer Online Registration system (TOR), removing the need for the transfer list (see “How a transfer works” for more about the TOR system). This system contains all game eligibility lists, and also records match bans.Īfter the foundation of the league association, the DFL assumed responsibility for player and transfer matters in 2001. This document no longer exists in professional football, as the official match report sheet for games in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 is created via the Spielbericht Online system (DFBnet).

Back then, the subsequent game eligibility was documented in the player pass. This process made it easier for the DFB to prepare for a coming transfer. All players from the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 had to be placed on the transfer list by the selling club via a notification to the DFB, in order for another club to buy them. In 1966 the DFB introduced the transfer list, which was regularly updated and published during the transfer windows. Contracted and licensed players could move between clubs subject to a freely negotiable transfer fee of up to 50,000 Marks (around 25,000 euros).

When the Bundesliga began in 1963, the Licensed Player Statute (Lizenzspielerstatut) for clubs and players also set out the conditions for transfers.

The transfer of players between clubs in Germany has been subject to various regulations ever since the birth of professional football.

Tor history of german football