Kieran Maguire: New rule changes set to reward Leeds United for faith in academy stars
The new ESC endorsement path will reward Leeds United in the transfer window for giving minutes to English players.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who exclusively told Football Insider that the new transfer rules could help Leeds in recruiting exciting talent from around the globe.
The FA announced new changes to the Governing Body Endorsement scheme in June which means English clubs will be granted more opportunities for overseas signings if they give more minutes to English players.
Leeds are one of the leading clubs in the Championship when it comes to fielding homegrown talent, with the Yorkshire side boasting a large group of English players in Daniel Farke’s squad.
Football Insider was told in August that the rule changes open a pathway for Leeds to expand their scouting and recruitment pool.
The changes will allow English clubs up to four signings of “exceptional talents” which currently fall outside the GBE criteria.
Maguire adds that the new rules will reward Leeds for their investment in academy facilities and youth teams.
“Yes, the new ESC endorsement will benefit Leeds’ recruitment moving forward,” Maguire told Football Insider’s Sean Fisher.
“The investment in the academy and the investment in bringing players through from a young age and giving them an opportunity to play in the first team demonstrated at clubs like Leeds will be rewarded.
“Not only in what might be referred to as an opportunity cost – because bringing these players through is already cost-saving by avoiding any transfer fees.
“But the new rules when it comes to being able to sign overseas players means Leeds will also be at the forefront in benefiting from those changes.
“It will give them the opportunity to have a more blended squad and also give them the opportunity to give further opportunities to young talent from overseas as well, and not just from Europe under the way that new rules operate.“
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