Academy contracts for young players at Women’s Super League (WSL) and WSL2 clubs will be introduced for the first time from the start of the 2026-27 season.
Current rules prohibit English women’s professional teams from contracting a 16-year-old player to a full-time contract.
This will change from next season, with clubs able to offer players up to a two-year deal.
They will not be mandatory, and clubs can continue to offer scholarships to promising young players.
However, the WSL says introducing the new contracts will give greater security to both players and clubs.
It is hoped the rules will stop top WSL teams being able to freely cherry-pick top academy talent from clubs lower down the pyramid without smaller clubs being compensated adequately.
