From 14 June 2023, it has become easier for English football clubs to sign players from overseas.
Before that date, there were very strict requirements which Premier League and English Football League clubs had to comply with when signing new players from overseas. Those requirements effectively meant Premier League and EFL clubs could only sign overseas players who were playing in top overseas leagues and members of their national team.
Now, new players of exceptional promise may be signed in the UK, even if those players do not otherwise meet the 'points' requirement for the International Sportspersons Visa. Further, Premier League and EFL teams are now able to sign 4 additional overseas players and League One and League Two teams are now able to sign 2 new overseas players.
Overseas players of exceptional promise are now able to come to the UK if they obtain an endorsement under the 'Governing Body Endorsement (GBE)' criteria. That allows the FA to endorse new overseas players being signed to the English club in question if that club can provide evidence that the player shows significant potential and will enhance the development of football in England.
The changes will likely herald a period where more extremely talented overseas players will be signed by English clubs, with those clubs now better able to compete in the global market for the most promising talent. In our view, that is a good thing.