Brighton’s Duffus sidesteps Brexit rules with Jamaican passport to join Saint-Etienne. Discover his journey and betting tip insights on this unique transfer.
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Brexit complications have reached beyond the fish markets and onto the football pitch. Josh Duffus, Brighton’s talented England youth international, has recently acquired a Jamaican passport to secure his move to French club Saint-Etienne.
The Challenge of Transfer Regulations
The 20-year-old Londoner, born in Lambeth, has been capped at both U17 and U19 levels for England, with his most recent appearance against the USA in March. However, his transfer faced an unexpected hurdle: post-Brexit rules now classify English players as non-EU in France’s Ligue 2. This classification is significant, as clubs are limited to just two non-EU players.
With Saint-Etienne already at their non-EU quota, Duffus had to find a creative solution. Reports from France indicate that he secured a Jamaican passport through his mother, allowing the French club to register him without exceeding their non-EU player limit.
A Bright Future at Saint-Etienne
Duffus has committed his future to Saint-Etienne with a four-year contract, following an impressive eight years with Brighton & Hove Albion.
After completing his move, Duffus expressed his excitement:
> “I’m joining a huge club, one that is inevitably associated with an incredible stadium, where I can’t wait to make my debut. I want to help bring this club back to the top, where it belongs. To do that, I want to bring intensity to the team on the pitch and, above all, I hope to be decisive and score goals.”
Saint-Etienne’s new manager, Eirik Horneland, shares Duffus’s enthusiasm:
> “We are delighted that Joshua joins us. He brings both presence and attacking power, while always working hard for the team. He complements our forwards with new skills. He is young, ambitious, and brings positive energy to our daily training sessions.”
A Fond Farewell to Brighton
Duffus also took a moment to thank his former club:
> “After eight years at Brighton & Hove Albion, it’s time to say goodbye. I’d like to thank all the players, coaches, staff, and the fans for all your support throughout my time at the club, and I wish you all the best in the future. Thank you.”
While acquiring a passport may seem like an extreme measure, it’s a testament to Duffus’s determination to pursue his football dreams. We can only hope that Saint-Etienne’s newest Jamaican-Englishman finds the net as easily as he navigated his transfer challenges.