Agents cash in as Hammers invest in return to the Premier League

The figure is up on the previous season (£16,658,976), although clubs engaged in more player transactions between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 – 3,144 compared to 2,910 the year before.

Championship clubs accounted for £18.7m of this total, with League One and Two clubs spending £1.8m and £0.9m, respectively.

Clubs committed to pay agents in 22 per cent of the 3,144 player transactions that took place. In the previous year, it was 20 per cent of 2,910 transactions.

Five clubs – Hartlepool, Accrington, AFC Wimbledon, Barnet and Crewe – did not spend any money on agents’ fees during 2011-12.

Football League chairman Greg Clarke said: “While £21m is a lot of money leaving the game, it should be noted that a considerable amount of this total has been spent by a small number of clubs. In fact, almost a fifth of the overall figure was spent by one club alone.

“Where such spending forms part of a sustainable business plan it shouldn’t be of great concern and supporters should be encouraged to see our clubs committing themselves to the new Financial Fair Play regulations that will take effect across all three divisions in the new season.”

Of the £18,704,976 spent on agents’ fees by Championship clubs, West Ham (£4,314,270) accounted for more than a quarter of the spending as they made a successful return to the Premier League.

Championship winners Reading (£1,662,163), Leicester (£1,812,371) and Crystal Palace (£1,170,950) were the other clubs to spend seven-figure sums.

Champions Charlton (£265,170) and runners-up Sheffield Wednesday (£332,620) were the biggest spenders on agents’ fees in League One. Huddersfield (£213,343), who were promoted via the play-offs, had the fourth highest total in the division.

Yorkshire clubs’ outlay on agents’ fees: Championship – Barnsley £124,898, Doncaster £139,012, Hull £228,345, Leeds £604,286, Middlesbrough £744,916.

League One – Huddersfield £213,343, Sheff Utd £132,510, Sheff Weds £332,620.

League Two – Bradford £25,200, Rotherham £54,490.