Sources: A change in FA regulations will allow Leeds United to go on a hiring spree
According to sources who spoke with Football Insider, the FA’s new ESC Endorsement Path may enable teams like Leeds United to acquire more players from outside the UK in 2018.
The Governing Body Endorsement mechanism for foreign player visas received new approvals from the Home Office in June.
The adjustments will make it easier for English clubs to bring in “exceptional international talent” that now does not meet GBE requirements.
However, the number of foreign players assigned to each team is inversely correlated with the amount of time that English players log for the side.
In their first games of the 2023–24 season, Leeds has so far used 12 English players, including recent additions Karl Darlow and Sam Byram.
Because of Daniel Farke’s belief in developing indigenous talent, Leeds will probably be allowed to sign more foreign players starting in 2024–2025 than some of their EFL and Premier League competitors.
Football Insider received additional information on the ESC Endorsement Path from Owen Chan and Kelvin Tanner at the legal firm Charles Russell Speechlys.
“The new ESC endorsement road enables teams participating in the Premier League or Championship to sign up to four non-UK players who would otherwise not be eligible for a Governing Body Endorsement via the current pathways for the 2023/2024 season.
Before sponsoring a player’s UK visa to enable them to play football or perform any work tasks for the club, clubs must first get a GBE.
“Starting with the 2024–2025 season, the system will reward teams for giving greater playing time to homegrown talent by limiting the number of ESC players a club may acquire dependent on how many English Qualified Players they signed the season prior.
“Clubs must prove to the satisfaction of the FA that the transferee is a top player who will significantly advance the game.
“Relevant guidance will be issued by the FA from time to time, but at a minimum, the FA would expect the player to have played domestically in at least five qualifying league matches or played internationally for their country,” according to the FA.
