What’s the average % of footballers who make it from academy and sign professional contracts?
The percentage of footballers who make it from academy to professional and sign contracts can vary depending on various factors such as the quality of the academy, the player’s talent and dedication, and the competitiveness of the professional leagues they aspire to play in.
It’s difficult to determine an average percentage as it can vary widely between different clubs and countries. However, studies have shown that the success rate of academy players making it to the professional level ranges from as low as 0.5% to as high as 5%.
Additionally, making it to the professional level does not necessarily guarantee a long and successful career. Many factors such as injuries, form, and competition for places can affect a player’s chances of playing at the highest level for an extended period.
Talking about “Data”, are there some specific data and statistics from official clubs and organizations that can give more clarity?
Let’s take a look at 4 major leagues in Europe, that is; English Premier League (EPL), French Football Federation (FFF), Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) and La Liga in Spain.
One study by the English Premier League (EPL) found that only 0.5% of academy players who sign a scholarship at the age of 16 go on to play regularly in the EPL. This means that out of every 200 players who sign a scholarship, only one will go on to have a successful career in the EPL.
Another study conducted by the French Football Federation (FFF) analyzed the success rate of young footballers in France. The study found that only 1% of youth academy players make it to the professional level, and only 0.05% play for the national team.
In the Netherlands, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) found that out of 50,000 registered youth players, only 180 would become professional footballers. This translates to a success rate of just 0.36%.
In Spain, a study conducted by La Liga found that out of the 100,000 children who play football in the country, only 0.7% will become professional footballers.
These statistics highlight the low success rate of academy players making it to the professional level, even in top footballing nations with strong academies. However, it’s important to note that these statistics don’t account for the various factors that can influence a player’s success, such as dedication, talent, coaching, and luck.
It is therefore clear that only a few make it to become professional footballers, but who said you can’t be amongst the few. The road to the top is quite narrow and challenging, yet there are some basic principles that those who have made it to the top have followed.
Stay tuned for more of our materials, as we help guide you on how to get to the top !!!