Unexpected transfer boost for Newcastle United as new system is announced

Newcastle United’s summer transfer business has been handed an unexpected boost by the announcement of a new work permit system.

The Football Association has confirmed the government have now signed off on a new agreement that will allow Premier League and Premier League clubs to sign between two and four players from abroad who do not meet the current criteria to receive a work permit.

The current system has been in place since Great Britain officially left the European Union in 2020 in a move that had a significant impact on the transfer market. Clubs across the top two tiers of the English game were forced to any potential signing from an EU country turned 18-years-old to complete a move, rather than 16 as it had been before and any new signing had to receive a Governing Body Endorsement before any deal was completed.

However, the new announcement means additional places for such signings will be granted if the buying club has given a required level of playing time to English players within their squad. After the announcement over the new system was made, the Football Association revealed they were working hard with the Premier League and EFL to aid the development of homegrown players and give ‘additional access to international talent’.

FA 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.”

The Magpies have already shown their willingness to move for youngsters from abroad after they signed Australia international Garang Kuol earlier this year and completed a move for Odense’s Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh last week. Further academy signings are being worked on and it is believed the United hierarchy have put together a separate budget for first-team and academy additions this summer.