The Reformed Player Loan System, FIFA’s Way to Overhaul Football

 

The new player loan system, which was introduced in 2022, has been one of FIFA’s attempts to make changes to a rather distorted football transfer system.

The reformed loan system has been on the news again this month as clubs are considering the loan move, either in or out, for some of their unused players looking for more minutes to play, out-of-favour figures in the squad estranged by the manager, or young players looking to improve themselves. Such a new system is currently in the transition period before its final amendment in the 2024/25 season.

The Goal

FIFA’s objective in this overhaul, alongside the modified regulation for the players’ agents, is none but to leave no more space for the clubs to hoard young talents and then loan them out to any clubs without any limits in duration or even any chance for them to be included in the first team squad. Moreover, this will help create more balance in the competition as well.

The previous rule had already crushed the youngsters’ dreams. Should they have difficulty keeping themselves motivated to develop themselves until they find the right clubs that are willing to give them the opportunity to grow,.

Chelsea had been one example of the clubs which took advantage of the previous regulation. They are notorious for stockpiling young stars only to send them on loan without supporting them to shine at Stamford Bridge. Not all players who have been kept on loan for long could be fortunate and thrive well, like Kevin de Bryune, Romelu Lukaku, or Mo Salah. There are some others whose careers have hit the reef, such as Lucas Piazon, Marco Van Ginkel, or Gael Kakuta. They just end up being average players and will never get the chance to play on top teams.

The Details

The world football governing body was already targeting modifying the transfer system in 2017. It was originally set to come into force in July 2020 but was delayed due to the world pandemic. Here are the details of the new rules on loaning players:

• Each club could only loan in and out a maximum of eight players abroad starting in the 2022/23 season. The numbers will decrease in the following season to seven players and six players in 2024/25 onward.
• Each club is also limited to having three loan signings in and out to one domestic side.
• Players can only be sent on loan for a maximum of a year.
• A maximum of three players are allowed to be on loan to one certain club in a single season.
• Players who are the subject of this regulation must be at least 21 years old and not the product of the club’s academy or trained by the club since their youth.
• The sub-loaning practice (loaning out the players who are still on loan) is considered a violation.
• The loan deal details must be provided in a written agreement to define the terms of the loan, which include the financial conditions, duration, etc.
• The domestic loan regulations by each national football association must be introduced in line with FIFA's no later than July 1, 2025.

FIFA’s efforts inimproving the transfer system should be well appreciated to protect players’future. Hopefully, they would also consider doing the same with the official rule to reduce the heading in football for the sake of players’ wellness once they hang their boots.