An epochal change in Albanian football has been announced. According to a decision made by the Executive Committee, which was made public a few months ago, as of today (January 1, 2025), clubs in both the Superiore and First Divisions will have the right to field up to 7 foreign players simultaneously during matches.
This rule will change completely for the upcoming season. Starting from the 2025-2026 season, Superiore Division clubs will be able to field unlimited foreign players. Practically, an elite team could have 11 foreign players on the field at once. However, the rule remains unchanged for the First Division, with a limit of 7 foreign players.
Regarding the Second Division, the Executive Committee has decided to remove any limitations on foreign players coming from outside the region.
Until now, the foreign player limitation in Albanian football was intended to give local clubs the opportunity to develop and promote their own talents. With the removal of these restrictions, it remains to be seen whether the quality of the league will improve and whether the competition will attract fans who have deserted the stadiums, or if this move will harm Albanian academies, preventing the rise of future star players.
This new cap on foreign players is expected to directly affect the January transfer market, with increased focus now on the foreign player market.
CREATED by:
“KORÇA BOOM”
