Local Player Rule

In the 2006-07 season, the limits on foreign players in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 were generally lifted following an agreement between the then Ligaverband (now DFL e.V.) and the German Football Association (DFB) and a corresponding resolution by the Members Assembly of the Ligaverband on 21 December 2005 – including with the aim of avoiding potential competitive disadvantages against leagues that operate different practices. Then as now, however, each Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 club must have a minimum of twelve licensed German players under contract.

The UEFA Local Player Regulation was also introduced in order to promote the development of young players. In 2006-07, each club had to have at least four players under contract who were trained locally, i.e. by a German club. This figure increased to at least six in 2007-08 and at least eight (4+4) from 2008-09 onwards. A club-trained player must have been eligible to play for the club or limited company in three seasons/years between the age of 15 and 21, while an association-trained player must have been eligible to play for a DFB member club or limited company in three seasons/years between the age of 15 and 21.