Southampton: New post-Brexit transfer rules likely to affect Saints

Southampton will be affected by new post-brexit transfer rules agreed by the FA, Premier League and EFL that limit the number of foreign signings clubs can make.

Official guidelines published on the Premier League’s website confirm that there are new rulings on signing players under the age of 18, under the age of 21 and also senior players.

To be able to play in England from January, senior players will have to gain points in the Governing Body Endorsement proposal. Points will come from senior and youth international appearances, the stature of the selling club and their league and the number of club appearances the player has made.

Saints will be limited to making three Under-21 signings in the upcoming January transfer window and six per season from next month, whilst no players will be allowed to sign for English clubs before they are 18.

If we take a look at previous youth signings made by Saints, they will have to change their approach in order to keep players of potential arriving on the South Coast.

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In the 2015/16 season, the club looked to step their youth recruitment up by covering areas outside the UK and bringing in a steady flow of players they thought could become first-team regulars in the future.

Yan Valery was one of the first when he came in from Rennes, but that move would not be allowed to go through now given that he was 16 when he signed.

Recent captures such as Leon Pambou, Kazeem Olaigbe and Alex Jankewitz – the latter costing Saints £1.62m according to transfermarkt – would also not be valid with the new rules in place.

First-team additions such as Mohammed Salisu and Ibrahima Diallo were regulars for Real Valladolid and Stade Brest respectively before signing for Saints but their transfers would be under more scrutiny is they had joined in January or after.

There are still gems who get dropped by more established teams to find for Saints in the UK but they will have to work that little but harder to bring in youth players from abroad who will only become available for transfer at the age of 18 – potentially when they start making senior appearances.

More emphasis will also have be put on the club’s production of its own players and fans will be waiting to see the next special talent off the production line.