FIFA's new loan rules to be given final approval at next council meeting; FIFA wants to implement rules to prevent stockpiling of players; Clubs will be limited to six players loaned out starting from 2024/25 season; club-trained players or players aged 21 or younger exempt from rules
Thursday 20 January 2022 13:55, UK
FIFA has announced new loan rule plans that will limit clubs to six loan signings and six loan exits per season.
New regulations capping the number of international loans in and out at any club are set to come into force in July, however, players aged 21 or under and club-trained players will be exempt from the new guidelines.
The rules do not cover domestic loans, but FIFA has said national associations must bring their regulations in line within three years - so by July 1, 2025 at the latest.
The new rules, drawn up with the intention of helping to develop young players, improve competitive balance and prevent the stockpiling of players, were originally due to be implemented in July 2020 but were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Provided the regulations are given final approval by the FIFA Council, between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023 clubs will be limited to a maximum of eight international loan signings in and eight loaned out, dropping to seven in 2023-24 and remaining at six from 2024-25.
Clubs will also be restricted to the number of deals they can do with one team in another country, with three players in and three players out at any given point.
The length of loan deals has also been looked at by FIFA. The minimum loan deal will be between two transfer windows while the maximum loan will be one year.
Sub-loaning of a player already sent out on loan will be banned.
The regulations also include the requirement for a written agreement defining the terms of the loan.
The changes are part of a wider reform of the transfer system which FIFA instigated in 2017 to find ways to modernise and clean up the player transfer market.
FIFA are also concerned that wealthy clubs are hoarding players, therefore shrinking the pool of available talent and controlling access to them for less wealthy rivals seeking loan deals.
Who will be on the move in January?
The January transfer window opens on Saturday January 1, 2022 and closes at 11pm on Monday January 31.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
