EPL teams vote for 5-year footballer contract limit

The EPL shareholders have voted to limit the length of new footballers’ deals to a max of 5 years.

🚨 EXCL: Premier League clubs have voted in favour of limiting amortisation of new contracts to maximum of 5 years. Deals can still be longer but amortisation can’t. Previously no cap but PL now in line with UEFA rules. Will not be backdated @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/Z5x8WdQSEG

— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) December 12, 2023

Teams have been known to offer footballers long-term deals, as Chelsea did it most recently, as that allows them to spread the cost of transfers over a few years, which helps a lot with the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.

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The sides voted on the change at a shareholders’ meeting today and shared that the measure will not be backdated to alter footballer deals that have already been inked.

“EPL Shareholders today agreed to amend the rule on amortization of footballer registration costs to bring in line with the football governing body’s rules,” the Premier League announced today.

“In the future, a 5-year maximum will apply to all new or extended football contracts.”

In the past year, the Blues have given 8-year deals to new players such as Enzo Fernández, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Moisés Caicedo.