Premier League clubs will be barred from signing overseas Under-18 players under new post-Brexit transfer rules, the FA has announced.
All overseas recruits will also require a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) in order to move to England. The changes will be enforced during the upcoming January transfers window with the Premier League and EFL both involved in the decision-making process.
The FA announced the news via a statement which read: "The FA, the Premier League and EFL have come together to agree a plan for entry requirements for overseas players post-Brexit.
"Football’s Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) proposal was submitted to the Government last month by the FA, as the governing body for football, and has now been approved by The Home Office.
"The criteria will provide the framework for Premier League and EFL clubs to sign overseas players when the UK leaves the European Union (EU) after 31 December 2020.
"Post-Brexit, clubs will not be able to sign players freely from the EU. Players from EU countries who want to play in the Premier League or EFL will be required to gain a GBE, like all other overseas players without the right to work in the UK."
The Premier League, FA and EFL have agreed their plan for entry requirements for foreign players post-Brexit for when the UK leaves the European Union after December 31.
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) December 1, 2020
Post Brexit, clubs will not be able to sign players freely from the EU. (Thread ahead)
The GBE will operate a points-based system in which several factors - including the number of international appearances a player has made and the stature of the selling club - will be taken into account.
The post-Brexit landscape will also see top-flight sides hampered by how many young, foreign talents they can stockpile.
"In the Premier League, the number of overseas Under-21 players a club can sign will be limited to three in the January transfer window and six per season moving forwards," the statement added.
"This enables the recruitment of the best players from around the world to train and play together with homegrown talent. Under FIFA’s rules, the UK’s exit from the EU will also mean that clubs will not be able to sign players from overseas until they are 18."
Source: 90min
