Rules have been relaxed on incoming transfers at Leeds United with access granted to targets away from football’s most beaten tracks. The Whites’ new recruitment chief, Nick Hammond, will now be able to pursue up to four targets who fall short of The Football Association’s visa rules.
When the United Kingdom left the European Union in January 2020 it ultimately changed the face of transfer rules in this country. The FA introduced a points-based system which meant clubs could no longer sign overseas footballers under 18 and were restricted to three foreign additions under 21.
Generally, only players coming from the most reputable leagues or nationalities could be assured of easy passage to English clubs. For example, past Leeds deals like those for Dani van den Heuvel, Pascal Struijk or Crysencio Summerville would have been difficult, if not impossible, to do.
Kristoffer Klaesson, in fact, failed to meet the requirements before his transfer to Leeds in 2021. The Whites required one of the first GBE (governing body endorsement) exemption panels to convince The FA Klaesson warranted a work permit.
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The FA has now confirmed new legislation in the GBE process. The new criteria, effective from the opening of the transfer window yesterday, will allow Premier League and Championship teams to sign up to four such players who do not meet the points requirements for work permits.
While the main points-based system will remain in place for most players coming to England from overseas, the new solution will provide additional access to international talent which falls outside the current GBE criteria, The FA said.
"As English football's governing body, we oversee the whole football ecosystem, and we wanted to create a new model which would meet the different objectives of our football stakeholders," FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said.
"We worked closely with the clubs and the leagues, and have designed a progressive solution which will give clubs additional access to international talent and incentivise playing opportunities for English talent."
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