Sydney van Hooijdonk: New rules would likely stop Sheffield Wednesday signing talented Dutch striker

Sydney van Hooijdonk, the son of former Nottingham Forest and Celtic striker Pierre, has been touted as a target for the Owls, Swansea and his dad’s former club Forest and reports suggest a deal could be done for nothing in January due to a clause in his contract.

Wednesday have had huge struggles in front of goal this season, with only Derby County having scored fewer than their nine goals in 16 matches this season.

And new boss Tony Pulis has pulled no punches in describing the club’s need for a new faces in attacking areas.

van Hooijdonk, 20, plays for NAC Breda in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie – the Dutch second division – and has eight goals in 12 matches this season, including a hat-trick against Ajax’s under-21 side.

The six-foot-two youngster has already spoken about the possibility of making the move to England and told the Dutch media last month that he would ‘enjoy’ a move to the Championship.

But new immigration laws brought about by Brexit could stand in van Hooijdonk’s way of following in his old man’s footsteps and making a move to England.

The new laws, which will be brought in on the first day of the forthcoming transfer window on January 1, will make it more difficult for English clubs to sign relative unknowns from Europe, though it will be slightly easier to sign players from elsewhere.

Freedom of movement to and from EU countries has been removed, and visas will be considered on the basis of a number of factors, including their number of youth and senior international appearances, alongside their club appearances, the reputation of the selling club and the co-efficient of the league from which they are signing.

Van Hooijdonk currently has no international appearances at either senior or youth level and the Keuken Kampioen is not currently in the FA’s list of ‘top band’ nations, meaning he would likely not automatically qualify for a Governing Body Endorsement for a visa by the FA.

That said, it remains to be seen how stringent the appeal process is made for players who do not reach the points-based threshold.

More information on the new laws and how they might effect Sheffield Wednesday can be found HERE.

MORE FROM OUR WEDNESDAY WRITING TEAM

Tony Pulis makes Dejphon Chansiri admission ahead of 'massive' transfer window for Sheffield Wednesday

Joe Wildsmith on Sheffield Wednesday’s possible pursuit of a new goalkeeping coach

Garry Monk, Fernando Forestieri and Diego Maradona: What happened to Manuel Hidalgo at Sheffield Wednesday?

*

Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details at www.thestar.co.uk/subscriptions/sports.

Your support is much appreciated.

Chris Holt, Football Editor