Jesper Ceesay transfer to Portsmouth collapses

Jesper Ceesay’s proposed transfer to Portsmouth has collapsed after the midfielder was denied the work permit required to play in England.

The Championship club had reportedly agreed a deal worth around 11 million Swedish kronor with Antalyaspor, but the move was blocked by a change in eligibility rules.

Following Brexit, European players must obtain a Governing Body Endorsement, known as a GBE, before joining an English club. Applicants generally need at least 15 points, calculated from factors including their league level, international experience and playing record.

Portsmouth believed Ceesay had collected enough points to qualify. However, the English Football Association recently reclassified the Turkish league, where the midfielder has played in recent seasons. As a result, points previously earned from appearing in a top division were no longer counted.

“It is frustrating because that change came into effect in July, and unfortunately the points previously collected by playing in a top league are no longer valid,” Portsmouth manager John Mousinho told BBC.

English clubs can request four exceptional places for players without a GBE, but those applications are limited to footballers aged 23 or younger. Ceesay turned 24 last autumn, leaving him ineligible for that alternative route.

The administrative change has therefore ended his intended move to the English south coast.