Youth international player compelled to switch nationality for smooth transfer approval in England
England Youth International Josh Duffus Joins Saint-Etienne After Changing Nationality
Josh Duffus, a former Brighton & Hove Albion striker and England youth international, has completed a move to French Ligue 2 side Saint-Etienne. The transfer was facilitated by Duffus changing his nationality to obtain a Jamaican passport, a decision made to circumvent regulatory obstacles that would have complicated or prevented his signing with the French club.
Born in Lambeth, London, Duffus spent eight years at Brighton & Hove Albion, making one first-team appearance in the Europa League. He represented England at U17 and U19 levels, with his last cap coming against the USA in March 2024. However, with English players now counted as non-EU players due to Great Britain leaving the European Union, Duffus found it challenging to join Saint-Etienne initially due to Ligue 2's limit on non-EU players.
To overcome this hurdle, Duffus obtained a Jamaican passport through his mother, securing citizenship there. This allowed Saint-Etienne to register him in their squad, and he has since signed a four-year contract with the club.
Eirik Horneland, the new manager of Saint-Etienne, expressed his pleasure with Duffus's addition, stating, "Josh brings presence and attacking power to our team. He works hard for the team and compliments our forwards with new skills. I am confident he will help us return to the top."
Duffus himself has expressed excitement about joining Saint-Etienne, stating, "I am thrilled to be joining this great club. I want to bring intensity and score goals for Saint-Etienne. I am looking forward to working with my new teammates and contributing to the team's success."
Duffus's move to Saint-Etienne marks a significant step in his career, offering him new opportunities to progress in a different league and gain more experience. He has sent a heartfelt message to Brighton & Hove Albion, thanking the club for his time there and wishing them success in the future.
[1] Saint-Etienne Official Website - Josh Duffus Announcement [2] BBC Sport - Josh Duffus Joins Saint-Etienne [3] The Guardian - Josh Duffus Changes Nationality to Join Saint-Etienne [4] Ligue de Football Professionnel Regulations - Non-EU Player Limitations
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