Soccer's transfer world is suffering from global crisis

The global economic crisis is causing a major shift in the demographics of European soccer with cash-strapped Spain and Portugal witnessing an exodus of talent to rival leagues, a study has found.

The survey also found that Greece, where some clubs struggle to stay afloat, has become a virtual no-go zone for foreign players in their prime because of meagre financial rewards.

"The percentage of players imported from abroad at European level has never been as high as in the current season," said Raffaele Poli, the co-author of the report released by the International Centre for Sports Studies.

"Of the top 31 division leagues of Uefa member associations we surveyed, 36.1 per cent of all squad members grew up in a different national association to that of their employer club."

The migration, which was studied in 2011 and last year, also showed that the sport was no longer a buffer against the fluctuating fortunes of economics that it once was.

"We often say that football is the last defence against the economic crisis, that it is anti-cyclical," added Poli.

"But it's not the case in Greece. Not only has the level of local players in the Greek league fallen by 15 per cent between 2011 and 2012, but the number of Greek players now appearing for foreign clubs has also increased.