A new 'home grown players' rule is to be introduced by the Football League (FL) clubs at the beginning of the 2009-10 season.

Club chairs voted for the proposals at an EGM held at Pride Park, the home of Derby County Football Club, on 18 December. The new rule, which falls in line with an approach favoured by the European governing body, UEFA, will require at least four players from a 16-man matchday squad to have been registered domestically for a minimum of three years.

FL chair, Lord Mawhinney, said: "League clubs are at the forefront of developing young playing talent for the domestic game and are investing more than £40m a season in this important area. "As a result of today's vote, those players being developed will have a greater chance to demonstrate their talent at first team level."