More high profile Australian players will play in the A-League after a new marquee player initiative has been announced.
Clubs will be able to use an Australian Marquee Player option for the upcoming Hyundai A-League 2010/11 season to compliment the current Marquee Player system.
Clubs will now have the ability to sign a top Australian player in addition to the current Marquee Player system enabling them to carry two (2) top class players outside the salary cap.
FFA will arbitrate transfers based on a Marquee Standard that assesses criteria including a player-s number of national team appearances, international/national profile, and other factors considered by FFA to be relevant including individual club-s financial circumstances.
“There is a wealth of Australian talent overseas with over 140 players currently playing in 15 of the top leagues in world football,” said FFA CEO Ben Buckley.
“Australian players are competing at a high level in Europe, Asia and America and what we have created is a viable option for these players to return to the Hyundai A-League and compete in what is becoming a very strong and competitive league.
“This initiative will boost the depth of the playing squads and create tremendous excitement around our competition.
“Our continuing success in the AFC Champions League has the spotlight directly on the Hyundai A-League and the inclusion of an ‘Australian Marquee- allows clubs to bring home our top stars to continue to compete at a high level in Australia and Asia.”
Hyundai A-League clubs will also have the opportunity to sign a ‘Guest Player- who falls outside the 23-man Hyundai A-League roster allowance for up to a maximum of 10 matches which can now include the Hyundai A-League Finals Series.*
To promote an improved Hyundai A-League as well as developing Australian talent the five (5) foreign player rule will remain intact.
