At a special extraordinary general meeting of the 72 Football League clubs at Derby on Thursday it was agreed to bring in a new rule where four out the 16 players for matchday squads will have to be 'home grown'. The ruling will come into effect from the beginning of next season.

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney said: "I would like to compliment Football League clubs for having the foresight to make changes that will benefit the wider game.

"League clubs are at the forefront of developing young playing talent for the domestic game and are investing more than £40million a season in this important area.

"As a result of today's vote, those players being developed will have a greater chance to demonstrate their talent at first-team level."

The rule means at least four of the 16 players - any nationality - in match squads will have had to have been registered domestically for a minimum of three seasons before their 21st birthday.