Transfers of young footballers have long stirred emotions and controversy. For parents and players, it often represents an opportunity for better training and faster career development. For clubs, it carries a significant responsibility and the risk of serious legal consequences. FIFA takes this matter extremely rigorously, prioritizing the protection of minors above all else, regardless of who covers the transfer costs.

In other disciplines, such as tennis or swimming, sending a child abroad for sports training is usually possible if parents consent and cover the costs. In football, the situation is much more restrictive. Even the most talented athlete is not allowed to move to a foreign club early, except in situations where one of the exceptions applies.

What do the FIFA rules say?

For many years, FIFA has severely restricted the international transfer of youth players. Article 19 of the FIFA Players’ Status and Transfer Regulations prohibits, firstly, the transfer of minors under 18 years of age. Secondly, it prohibits the first registration of a minor player in a country of which they are not a citizen.

There are, however, a few exceptions to this rule:

• Emigration of parents for non-football reasons ;
• Transfers over the age of 16 within the EU or EEA, provided training, education, and care are provided;
• The player lives 50 km from the border, and the club is also 50 km from the border. The maximum distance between the player and the club is less than 100 km;
• Relocating for humanitarian reasons, with or without parents;
• Student exchange without parents;
• The player has lived in the country for the last 5 years.

A special FIFA committee must approve each such case, and the regulations are enforced very strictly.

The international transfer or first registration of a minor player over the age of 10 must always be approved by the Player Status Board, which assesses whether one of the conditions has been met. Additionally, suppose the player does not hold citizenship in the country where they wish to register. In that case, the so-called five-year rule must be met, meaning the player must have resided in that country continuously for at least the last five years. Such approval is required before applying for an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) or first registration.

If a player is under 10 years old, the responsibility for verifying whether they meet the conditions for one of the exceptions rests with the sports association with which the player is to be registered (at the club’s request). This verification must be completed before registration can take place.

Why did FIFA introduce these regulations?

These aren’t regulations “just for the sake of it.” Their purpose is to protect young players from human trafficking and unfair agent practices. In the 1990s, clubs were massively importing children from South America and Africa, only to sell them years later for millions. These practices have spiraled out of control, which is why FIFA is now putting up a strict protective wall, even at the cost of limiting the transfer of some exceptional talents. Under the current regulations, even the transfer of Lionel Messi from Argentina to Spain at the age of 13 would not have been possible.

FIFA monitors every international transfer through its TMS system, and violations of the regulations can result in a transfer ban for the entire club, not just its youth players. Such sanctions have already hit some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Barcelona, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.

Transfers of minors in Poland

In Poland, transfer and contract rules for players under 18 are strictly regulated by the Polish Football Association (PZPN) and must comply with FIFA regulations. As a FIFA member, the PZPN is obligated to apply these regulations in its national procedures.

In the case of domestic transfers, meaning between clubs in Poland, the procedure involves submitting an application to the Polish Football Association’s Department of Domestic Competitions, which issues approval for the player’s registration. In such cases, an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) is not required. The situation is different for international underage players. In such cases, the application is submitted via the Extranet system.

Conclusion

International transfers of minors are generally prohibited, with a few exceptions that are strictly defined and rigorously enforced. In Poland, the Polish Football Association (PZPN) governs the contracts and transfers of junior players through additional regulations.

For parents and players, this means being fully aware of the regulations before deciding to travel or sign a contract. For clubs, it’s a huge responsibility, as breaking the rules can lead to severe sporting and financial sanctions.

If you are a parent, club, or player and would like to know when a transfer of a minor is permitted, please contact us. We will help you navigate all procedures in accordance with FIFA and Polish Football Association regulations, minimizing risk and ensuring player safety.

Sources:

1. FIFA, Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), 2025.
2. Wielkopolska Football Association, Instrukcje dotyczące transferów zagranicznych, w tym graczy nieletnich [ENG: Instructions regarding foreign transfers, including underage players], available at: wielkopolskizpn.pl.
3. Lower Silesian Football Association, Instrukcje dotyczące transferów zagranicznych, w tym graczy nieletnich [ENG: Instructions regarding foreign transfers, including underage players], available at: dolzpn.pl.