How does an international transfer work? Why do some transfers take longer than others to complete? What is TMS and ITC? 

The FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) is an online system that makes international transfers of players between clubs quicker, smoother and more transparent. It was introduced in February 2008 as a test, but today, the system is used for all international football transfers in all 208 FIFA member associations and by over 4600 clubs worldwide. The TMS system is used only with international transfers, when a player moves from one country to another. 

The process for a transfer in TMS should be a simple one, and it makes a transfer easier and more modern, with much less paper work involved as previously. Both clubs involved in the transfer of a player are required to enter identical information. If there is any difference in the information on either side, the transfer will be blocked and, as a result, the required International Transfer Certificate (ITC) cannot be issued until it has been resolved.

The transfer details required in TMS usually involve three different documents as follows:
In no particular order, the first is a scanned copy of the players passport, showing his photo and details. The next is a contract, which has been signed on each side, by the player and the new club. If the player is joining Videoton FC on a free transfer, as he was out of contract, then a document from his previous club is required, which confirms that the player is no longer contracted to them and can sign for his new club. The final document is a transfer agreement between the selling club and the buying club. *Only needed when there is a transfer price involved.

A player signing a  contract with Videoton FC does not mean that he can play for Vidi the following day. Only when the ITC (International Transfer Certificate - pictured right), has been issued by the Football Association of the selling club, can a player play for his new football club. It is this stage, which can hold up a transfer, to the frustration of the new club and especially the manager of a team, who will be keen to have his new player available for team selection. The summer transfer window in 2011, saw several players arrive to Videoton FC from countries like Spain, Brazil, Serbia, Italy and Uruguay. The majority of Football Assoiciation's cooperated and made sure the ITC was issued as soon as possible, while others just sat on the transfer and did nothing, despite daily phone calls and letters from Videoton FC. The most frustrating transfer was the one involving Filipe Oliveira, which took close to three weeks for Vidi to receive the ITC from the Italian FA.

Every club has a TMS manager and at Vidi, it is David Rechnitzer. The summer of 2011 was a very busy one for Vidi when it came to transfers, both in and out of the club. The winter transfer window will open on the 22nd January and close on the 20th February 2012.  "A typical international transfer into the club would work as follows: The first step is to send out an offer to the players current club, or if he is out of contract, to his agent. Once this has been accepted, the player will then travel over to Hungary, and meet with the Management of our club to agree on all details. A contract will be prepared by the club lawyers, and once it has been signed, will then be uploaded onto TMS, together with the proof of ID and transfer agreement document. Videoton FC have almost always uploaded all documents needed to process the transfer within a day or two of the player arriving at Fehervar.

However, as the summer showed, one of the most frustrating aspects of a transfer is the response time of the other association involved. Toth Balazs received his ITC within 24 hours. Then there was the transfer involving Filipe Oliviera, which saw the releasing football association take almost three weeks to respond and send us the ITC, despite daily attempts to speed things up. It is one thing for a player to sign a contract but another to actually have him available to play for his new club. It all comes down to how quickly Videoton FC or any other buying club receives an ITC. All transfers involve the close cooperation of the Hungarian FA's TMS manager, Krisztina Varga, who is always on hand to help out, whether it is early in the morning or late into the evening. Her input and help is vital, especially when it comes to obtaining and releasing ITC's, Other important members with transfers are the club secretary Farkas Adrienn, as well as the lawyers." - explained David Rechnitzer.