What is a club-trained player in football?
Under FIFA's rules, a club-trained player is one who was registered with his current club for three entire seasons or 36 months, continuous or not, between the age of 15 and 21, whatever his nationality. The status matters for FIFA's loan limits, and similar ideas appear in competition squad rules.
On this page
The definition
FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players define a club-trained player as one who, between the age of 15 (or the start of the season he turns 15) and 21 (or the end of the season he turns 21), was registered with his current club for three entire seasons or 36 months, continuous or not. Nationality and current age do not matter.
Where it matters
- Loans: a club-trained player loaned out before the end of the season he turns 21 does not count toward FIFA's limit of six players loaned out and six loaned in.
- Squad rules: many competitions require a number of locally trained or homegrown players. Their definitions are set by each competition and can differ from FIFA's.
Why it matters to small clubs
Developing players from 15 creates value: club-trained loans are exempt from the limit, and the clubs that trained a player are owed training compensation and solidarity payments when he moves on.
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Questions people also ask
Is club-trained the same as homegrown?
Not exactly. Homegrown or locally trained rules are set by competitions and leagues and can use different ages and periods.
Does nationality matter?
No. FIFA's definition applies irrespective of nationality.