TM explained
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Shortly before the end of the transfer window, Galatasaray caused a sensation with the transfers from ex-international Ilkay Gündoğan and keeper Uğurcan çakır. In particular, the transfer for Çakır was a surprise, Cimbom made the 29-year-old from Trabzonspor one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history. Both obligations must also be considered against the background of the foreigners’ regulation prevailing in the Süper Lig. The transfer market takes this as an opportunity to take a detailed look at the global differences between total flexibility and strict regulations.
“Currently, the clubs of the Süper Lig 14 foreigners are allowed to commit, but two of them have to be born on January 1, 2002. From the next season, the requirement will increase: Four foreign players must be born on or after January 1, 2003. That is why the big Istanbul clubs find it difficult to find suitable players. One reason why Galatasaray Gündo got this, in addition, this regulation was also Gündoğan’s sporting qualities and his strong desire to get to gala, ”explains Sinan Yener, Turkey expert and editor of Transfermarkt.tr.
Turkish -born soccer players used to be in the Süper Lig as a local player if they had already been recovered for another national team. But this rule changed for the 2015/16 season.
“That is why Mesut Özil and İlkay Gündoğan, who had played for Germany before this change of control, were classified in Turkey as a local player. For example, Özil was not a foreigner at Fenerbahçe. The same applies to Gündoğan, on the other hand, players like Kerem Demirbay or Yusuf Demir, who only later chose other national teams,” explains Yener. This was also a reason why Turkish clubs showed little interest in the Emre Can, who was traded in Dortmund in Dortmund, who would be managed as a foreigner in the event of a transfer.
The Turkey expert explains the 27.5 million revenue for Cakir against the background of the Turkish regulations: “If Galatasaray had signed a foreign goalkeeper this season, the club could only use a maximum of nine elderly from the next season, plus the four U20 legionnaires.” At Galatasaray, eleven foreigners are currently under contract, two more and one place for a young player would be possible. “In the Süper Lig, a local goalkeeper is a great advantage anyway, which is why Galatasaray has invested in the long term. Fenerbahçe also paid 25 million euros for Kerem Aktürkoğlu, also because of the foreigners.
These foreigner rules apply internationally
On closer inspection of the foreign rules in the international leagues, it is striking that there are significant differences between Europe and other continents. While the most valuable and sporty leagues in the world have relatively flexible foreigner limits, other stricter regulations apply in other stricter regulations. The most important restrictions apply to players who do not come from the EU. An overview.
England: In the Premier League there are no direct restrictions for foreign players. However, clubs may add a maximum of 17 players not trained in England in their 25-man squad. In order to be considered to be trained in England, a footballer must have played for a club for three years before his 21st birthday, which belongs to the English Football Association.
Italy: In Serie A there is no direct limitation for the number of foreign players, but quotas for players from outside the European Union. In addition, eight professionals of the 25-member squad in Italy must have been trained. Four of these eight players have to come from the club’s youth academy. In order to be considered to be trained in Italy, three years of uninterrupted playing time are sufficient for Italian clubs between the ages of 15 and 21. In addition, clubs can add a maximum of two new players from non-EU countries to their squad during the season.
Spain: The situation is similar in the Spanish Laliga. Each club may sign a maximum of three players from non-EU countries. While there are no restrictions for players from EU countries, this rule is particularly important for footballers from South America.
France: Four non-EU foreigners are approved in Ligue 1. Players from African nations are excluded from the limitation due to the Cotonou Agreement. This enables footballers from former French colonies, in particular, to play unhindered in the league.
Worldwide foreign rules: Germany wants to strengthen offspring
Germany: In the Bundesliga, the foreigner rules aim to strengthen both the local players and the young system. The squads have to include at least twelve German players. In addition, eight footballers have to come from youth academies. Four of these eight players have to come from the association’s own academy, the other four from such other clubs, but the same association.
Netherlands: There are no quotas for foreign players in the eredivisia. Associations can hire any number of foreign players. However, a special salary criterion applies to professionals who are transferred from outside the European Union-so the clubs are obliged to pay players from non-EU countries a minimum wage.
Portugal: In the Portuguese league there are no direct restrictions for foreign players. However, clubs must have at least eight actors trained in Germany. In clubs that have a B team, this number increases to ten, which indirectly limits the number of foreign players.
Belgium: In the Jupiler Pro League there is no upper limit for foreign players. However, clubs are obliged to include talents trained in Germany. For each game of the Jupiler Pro League, the clubs have to set up at least six professionals who were trained in the country. Belgian citizenship is not necessary for this. However, these players must have played for a Belgian association for at least three years before their 23rd birthday.
Poland: There are no restrictions for players from EU countries. From the 2019/20 season, professionals from outside the EU can also change. The Polish league is therefore completely open to foreign transfers.
Austria: Clubs may have a maximum of seven foreign players in the squad. A crossing of this limit does not result in direct fines, but leads to the withdrawal of financial support from the Bundesliga. Some clubs, such as Red Bull Salzburg and Sturm Graz, take this risk and occasionally use more foreign players.
Romania: In the Romanian league there are only restrictions for players from countries outside the European Union. Teams are allowed to set up a maximum of three professionals from non-EU countries. These must also have already played for the national team. In addition, every team must have at least one Romanian U21 international during the entire game.
Greece: In the Super League 1, clubs can hire any number of players from the EU. The limit for players from non-EU countries is seven. In the Super League 2, the rules are stricter. The teams must have at least six Greek players on the field during a game and a maximum of five players from non-EU countries can play at the same time.
Türkiye: Clubs can add a maximum of 14 foreign players to the A-team. At least two of these players must be born on or after January 1, 2003. In the 2026/27 season, the number of foreign young players increases to at least four. The A team comprises a maximum of 28 players, of whom at least 14 must be eligible to play for the Turkish national team. Turkish origin must be at least two goalkeepers.
Russia: In Russia, clubs are allowed to have thirteen foreign players in their cadres, eight of whom are allowed to stand on the pitch at the same time. From 2026, this number will be limited to ten. Players from Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan are excluded from this restriction.
Rules for foreign players in North and South America
Canada & USA: In the Major League Soccer, restrictions for foreign players are not implemented via direct odds, but via “International Roster Slots”. Each team has an average of eight places that can be exchanged between the teams. By 2025, a total of 241 international players were distributed across thirty clubs throughout the league. While US associations consider players with citizenship, green card or special status as domestic players, Canadian clubs must have at least three Canadian players in their squad.
Mexico: A maximum of nine foreign professionals per team may be registered in this league. Only eight players can be included in the squad, and a maximum of seven foreign players can be on the field at the same time. This regulation was gradually relaxed from the 2022/23 season and defined for the 2025/26 season on a limit of nine players.
Brazil: There are no restrictions for foreign transfers in Brazil. However, clubs can set up a maximum of nine foreign players per game.
Argentina: Associations are allowed to hire six foreign players, a maximum of five in the squad. For each game, if you have six legionnaires, clubs must remove at least one of them out of the squad.
Colombia: The teams are only allowed to sign four foreigners and a maximum of three of them can be on the pitch at the same time.
Rules for foreign players in Asia
Japan: The restriction of the registration of foreign players in Japan has been lifted since 2019. However, a maximum limitation of squad per game day remains. Associations may set up a maximum of five legionnaires in the first division, four in the second and third division. Players from partner countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia are excluded from this restriction.
India: In the Indian league, clubs are allowed to report a maximum of six foreigners. Of these players, only four may be on the pitch at the same time. In addition, the regulations stipulate that at least one professional from abroad in the squad has to come from a country that belongs to the Asian football conference.
Indonesia: A completely different regulation applies in Indonesia. The teams are allowed to set up a total of eleven foreign players. A maximum of seven of them on the field, two on the bench and two in the stands. This regulation came into force with the 2025 season.
Saudi Arabia: The foreigners have been clearly relaxed in Saudi Arabia in recent years. The number of foreign players was initially increased from seven to eight and then to ten. With the new regulation, associations can commit ten legionaries. Eight of these players can stand on the pitch, two on the bench. This process, which began with Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, is intended to increase the attractiveness of Saudi football.
Rules for foreign players in Africa
Algeria: Here the foreigner regulation is quite strict. Clubs can report a total of 27 players, of which only four foreigners may be.
Libya: In Libya, the limitation is a little more flexible. The teams are allowed to have 25 players in the squad and sign a maximum of seven foreign players. This limitation applies to all transfers, regardless of the country.
South Africa: In South Africa, clubs may have a maximum of five foreign players in their cadres. This limitation applies regardless of age and country of origin and is intended to promote the development of local footballers.