New rule changes Premier League transfers forever and makes signings even easier

Foreign stars will have an easier route to the Premier League in future following major changes to the laws of English football.

Athletes arriving from overseas have long required work permits to legally play in the UK, a ruling which then extended to EU talents following Brexit. However, the new 'Governing Body Endorsements' (GBE) criteria opens an alternative route for certain players to sign outside those means.

The change removes one of the key obstacles that has in the past blocked certain players from coming to the Premier League. Young players may find it easier to get into England, having once found it particularly difficult to get approval for transfers.

The Football Association confirmed Premier League and Championship clubs will be allowed to sign up to four such players who do not meet the work-permit points requirements. Teams in League One and League Two, meanwhile, can sign two such players.

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However, the change comprises one caveat to ensure homegrown English talent isn't completely left by the wayside.

As part of the new laws, clubs will still be encouraged to hand domestic-born talents as many minutes as possible in England's top flight. Failure to meet those quotas will see clubs restricted in regards to how many players they can sign via the GBE criteria.

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"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," said FA chief executive Mark Bullingham.

"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."

The move ensures the Premier League can continue to attract the biggest names from around the world while still encouraging teams to promote from within. The FA and EFL are understood to have played a key role in agreeing the change along with top-flight organisers.

Overseas youths with enough exposure at the elite level or considerable minutes playing in their international setups once has less trouble securing work permits. However, even those with lesser profiles should now be able to join England's ranks.

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