FA announce new rules making it easier to sign international players

FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham. NICK POTTS / AFP

English clubs will be able to sign a specified number of players who do not meet the points requirements for work permits after the Home Office approved new criteria for visas for international players, the Football ociation announced on Wednesday. The new Board of Trustees (GBE) Approval Criteria, effective from the opening of the transfer window on June 14, will allow Premier League and Championship teams to register up to four such players. League One and League Two teams will be able to sign two.

While the main points-based system will remain in place for the majority of players coming to England from abroad, the new solution will provide additional access to international talent who fall outside the current GBE criteria, the FA said. “As the governing body of English football, we oversee the entire football ecosystem and we wanted to create a new model that would meet the different objectives of our football stakeholderssaid FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.

“We have worked closely with clubs and leagues and designed a phased solution that will give clubs additional access to international talent and encourage playing opportunities for English talent.The Premier League and English Football League (EFL) are also committed to working with the FA to improve the pathway for young English talent.