Premier League, EFL and the FA reach agreement on post-Brexit transfers

Premier League, EFL and the FA reach agreement on post-Brexit transfers – with new signings from the European Union required to meet threshold for work permit via points-based system

  • The FA, Premier League and EFL have agreed a plan for players post-Brexit
  • The three bodies have outlined requirements for a player to be eligible to join
  • Post-Brexit, clubs will not be able to sign players freely from the European Union
  • Instead, those EU players will require a Governing Body Endorsement (GBE), which will work as a points-based system in place for non-EU players currently 

Premier League clubs will be restricted to signing six overseas players aged under 21 from next season, with no foreign players to be signed who are under 18, after finally agreeing new post-Brexit immigration rules with the FA. 

Sportsmail revealed last month that the clubs had reached a late compromise with the FA on a new points-based entry system following a four-year battle. That agreement has now been ratified by the Home Office.

The new regulations will make it more difficult for clubs to sign foreign players, with the current restrictions that apply to players from non-EU countries to be applied universally. The FA hope this will provide more opportunities for homegrown youngsters.

Players from European Union countries will need to earn 15 points in a new eligibility ruling for transfers once Great Britain completes Brexit and leaves the EU at the start of next year

Under a new football-specific Governing Body Entry system — which will give signings a points-score based on their national team, the quality of the selling club and the league they’re in — all foreign players will need 15 points in order to come to

the UK.

As Sportsmail disclosed last month, the Premier League had wanted the immigration tally to be nine points, but the FA were pushing for an 18-point cut-off so can claim victory on the issue.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the top flight welcomes the new plan

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said the top flight welcomes the new plan