The Premier League Homegrown rules are a set of regulations that require each Premier League club to have a minimum number of homegrown players in their squad.
The rules are designed to encourage clubs to develop young players from England and Wales.
According to Premier League homegrown rules, a homegrown player is defined as a player who:
- Was born in England or Wales;
- Was registered with an English or Welsh FA-affiliated club for at least three years before their 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which they turn 21); or
- Was registered with an English or Welsh FA-affiliated club for the whole of any season when they were under the age of 18.
In a 25-man squad, a Premier League club must have a minimum of eight homegrown players. The remaining 17 spots can be filled with both homegrown and foreign players.
There are a few exceptions to the homegrown rules. For example, clubs can count a player as homegrown if they have been on their books for two years before their 21st birthday, but have been loaned out to another club for the majority of that time. Clubs can also count a player as homegrown if they are a “club-trained player”, which means they have been registered with the club for at least three years before their 21st birthday and have spent at least two years of that time training with the club’s first team.
The homegrown rules have been in place since the 2009-10 season. They have been credited with helping to improve the quality of English and Welsh players in the Premier League. However, some critics have argued that the rules have made it more difficult for clubs to sign the best foreign players.
Here are some of the key changes to the Premier League Homegrown rules that have been made over the years:
- In 2015, the number of homegrown players required in a 25-man squad was increased from 6 to 8.
- In 2019, the definition of a homegrown player was changed to include club-trained players.
- In 2022, the rules were further relaxed to allow clubs to count players who have been on their books for two years before their 21st birthday, even if they have been loaned out for the majority of that time.
The Premier League Homegrown rules are constantly being reviewed and revised. It remains to be seen how the rules will evolve in the future.
