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Premier League and Football League clubs have now, thanks to a summer change in legislation, received permission to recruit new players from all corners of the globe.

The Baggies, who yesterday brought in Nigeria international Josh Maja from Bordeaux in France, could now cast their transfer net overseas and not be restricted by Brexit red tape.

Brexit rules led to a points-based government body endorsement (GBE) system from January 1, 2021. That criteria took into accounts players’ international caps, Fifa ranking of club nation, and academy background and domestic appearances.

Overseas players required a total of 15 points to move to England, otherwise the case had to be pleaded. Previously, while part of the European Union, British clubs could sign players aged 16 and above from the EU, assuming easy-hitting quotas were met.

Within the last couple of months, however, clubs will now be permitted two wildcard spots for “elite significant contribution (ESC)” players – those not with the required work permit regulations but with the potential to do so. More places can be granted depended on minutes club give English-qualified players (EQP).

Corberan, when speaking to the press, explained the changes to the ruling in positive and negative terms – positive to bring in talent from further afield, but negative as the rules were introduced at a late stage in the planning period for recruitment teams and manager to readdress plans.