FA announce new criteria that may impact transfer business at Sheffield United, Leeds United, Huddersfield Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley FC and more

The Home Office has approved new Governing Body Endorsement (GBE) criteria and it has been brought into effect. These criteria provide additional access to “exceptional international talent” currently outside of current criteria.

Although the main points-based system will remain in place for the majority of players moving to England from overseas, a new solution will allow clubs to sign a number of players who do not meet points requirements.

Clubs in the Premier League and Championship will be able to sign a maximum of four players who do not meet requirements, while a maximum of two will be available to clubs in League One and League Two.

The number of players a club can bring in will be proportional the number of English players they play. Each club will have at least two places for the first season but will receive between zero and four places depending on the number of English players they have playing in future seasons.

The FA’s chief executive Mark Bullingham 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. 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.”