How does Brexit affect the January transfer window?

New rules on overseas signings come into effect for the first time.

Clubs in the UK must follow new rules when recruiting players from the European Union in the January transfer window as a consequence of Brexit.

Here, the PA news agency sets out how it will work.

Why are new rules needed?

How does a player qualify for a GBE?

Via a points-based system agreed by the Football Association, the EFL and the Premier League and approved by the Home Office, which will be reviewed at the end of the January window.

A score of 15 points against the criteria will be enough to secure a GBE, while a score between 10 and 14 points is referred to an exceptions panel who will then rule on the suitability and quality of the player concerned.

What criteria are used in the points system?

The signing of EU players with top club and international pedigree, such as Chelsea's recruitment of Timo Werner, will not be affected — The signing of EU players with top club and international pedigree, such as Chelsea’s recruitment of Timo Werner, will not be affected (Catherine Ivill/PA)

What does Brexit mean for the recruitment of young players?

Players like Billy Gilmour will still be able to move between Scotland and England before the age of 18 (Adam Davy/PA)

But what if a talented teenager from France, for example, has not met the criteria needed for a GBE?

Manchester United could no longer recruit players like Hannibal Mejbri before their 18th birthdays under the new rules (Martin Rickett/PA)

Are there any ways clubs could get around these rules?

Ferran Soriano is the chief executive of the City Football Group which includes Manchester City but also Spanish side Girona and Belgian club Lommel (Martin Rickett/PA)

What restrictions are in place regarding the signing of young players?

What impact will all this have on the development of English-qualified talent?

Almost a third of players who have featured in the Premier League in the last five seasons have been eligible for selection by England boss Gareth Southgate, the league say (Ian Walton/PA)

What about players moving from the UK to the EU?

Under-18s would now be barred from doing so, which means a move such as 17-year-old Jude Bellingham’s from Birmingham to Borussia Dortmund in July could no longer happen. Over-18s would be subject to the rules applying to non-EU players in whichever EU country they were seeking to move to.