EFL Trophy Games will not count as first-team fixtures for U21s

EFL Trophy games will not count as first-team appearances for Under-21 players this season, potentially freeing them up for more senior football.

FIFA Regulations on the Transfer and Registration of Players state that players are only eligible to play official matches for two clubs within one season - or three if the clubs are in associations with “overlapping seasons” (ie start of the season in summer/ autumn, as opposed to winter/ spring).

This is known unofficially as the '3+2 rule,' which the Football Association adheres to. However, it can potentially deter top clubs from fielding U21 players in the EFL Trophy, because it then leaves them with only one loan opportunity per season.

An example came with Chelsea midfielder Harvey Vale in 2022/23. Vale played for Chelsea’s U21s against Sutton United in the Trophy (then sponsored by Bristol Street Motors) in August, before going on loan to Hull City.

The Blues then recalled him in January (because he wasn’t getting playing time) and, because he had already played first-team football for two clubs, Vale was not allowed to go out on loan again and had to play for Chelsea’s U21s for the remainder of the season.

The FA has now confirmed to individual clubs that the 3+2 rule will be waived for the EFL Trophy, with games in the competition no longer counting as first-team fixtures this season.

The EFL Trophy is intended as a forum for the top U21 sides to gain experience against senior sides. As revealed by Youth Hawk in July, the Premier League and National League have expanded the competition this season to enable an additional 16 Category One Academies to pit their brightest talents against senior opposition.