Story perspectives

Premier League clubs scout Belgian, Dutch youth at airports

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 10:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Six Premier League clubs signed or lost academy players this summer, raising youth competition.
Since 2021, Brexit rules prevent foreign academy players from joining English clubs until age 18.
Scouts gathered at Heathrow and Gatwick on Friday nights to hunt Belgian and Dutch prospects.
Youth signings bypass Premier League squad cost ratios, making any future sale pure profit.

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Story summary

Six Premier League clubs signed or lost academy players this summer, raising youth competition.
Since 2021, Brexit rules prevent foreign academy players from joining English clubs until age 18.
Scouts gathered at Heathrow and Gatwick on Friday nights to hunt Belgian and Dutch prospects.
Youth signings bypass Premier League squad cost ratios, making any future sale pure profit.