SFA announce new Cooperation System to boost opportunities for young Scottish players
The proposal was passed by clubs earlier this year, following extensive consultation since the Scottish FA's Transition Report was published in 2024.
The Cooperation System provides greater flexibility to the previous domestic loan quotas by enabling players in the key 'transition phase' of 16-21, who are eligible to represent the Scotland national team, to join a lower-league club but be able to move between the parent and cooperation club throughout the season to increase playing time.
Clubs can now enter into Cooperation Agreements, with players then free to move under the new system from the opening of the Transfer Window on Monday, 16 June.
Alongwith this change, a revamped KDM Evolution Trophy was also launched by the SPFL last month, in a further move to support the progression of the best young players in the country.
The new set-up will include William Hill Premiership B teams in a league phase format, providing more opportunities for youth players aged under 21, as they move from the academy environment to senior football.
Based on the Transition Report's findings, the Under-18 level within Club Academy Scotland (CAS) and the SPFL Reserve League will also be replaced with a hybrid Under-19 category in CAS from the 2025/2026 season, with several overage players also allowed to participate.
Matches will take place on Monday as opposed to the current Friday, so clubs can expose the young players to the senior environment at the weekend and still include those who have had limited minutes on the Monday.
Andy Gould, Chief Football Officer, Scottish FA: 'The overriding message from the Transition Report was that we haven't been producing enough opportunities for young players to play with and against senior players during that golden age of opportunity between 16 and 21 years of age. We felt that the Cooperation System would be complimentary to the existing framework, with more freedom of movement for players who are on the cusp of the first team with their parent club.
'It's rare in Scotland that we can get everyone united and on the same page and we are grateful to all the stakeholders who have worked together to make this happen. We are confident that we can see a significant increase in playing minutes for young players across the pyramid.'
Chris Docherty, Head of Men's Elite Strategy, Scottish FA: 'Throughout our research during the creation of the Transition Report, it was also clear from speaking to clubs that the gap between both the current Under-18 system and the SPFL Reserve League and the first team was far too big. This change to a new Under-19 level will benefit late maturing players, while the move to Monday matches should stop players missing minutes to sit on a bench at first team level.
'Also from consultations with coaches and ex-players, it was clear that the previous reserve system was a key part of their development and, by allowing a small number of overage players to play in this league, we hope we can create a hybrid model that benefits these young players by giving them chances to play against more experienced older pros as well as their peers.
'These changes – as well as the introduction of the revamped KDM Evolution Trophy – won't fix all the problems instantly, but we believe they mark a significant moment as the game comes together to get behind the development of young Scottish players.'
Cooperation System Explained
The Cooperation System comes following the Transition Report, authored by Scottish FA Chief Football Officer, Andy Gould and Scottish FA Head of Men's Elite Strategy, Chris Docherty. The report sought to establish trends in successful player development from across the world and the authors have below answered some key questions relating to the new system.
Why has this Cooperation System been introduced?
Based on the research we have carried out into similar systems in other countries, the Cooperation System affords more opportunities for the best young talent to get playing time. It offers an alternative to clubs and players, who may otherwise be denied a loan opportunity, whilst also having limited playing opportunities at their parent club. For example, clubs competing in Europe may not able to send young players on loan due to Homegrown Matchday Quotas and clubs without a large budget may carry smaller squads and not send best young talents on loan in case of an injury crisis. The Cooperation System gives young players the option to receive critical playing experiences at an appropriate level within the pyramid.
How does this system work?
A club can place a maximum of three players on a 'Cooperation List' and these players can move freely between the parent club and the club who they are in a Cooperation Agreement with. So, for example, if the parent club has injuries in the player's position, they can recall the player, provided they give the minimum prescribed amount of notice to the Cooperation club. The parent club pays the salary for the player and – unlike with loan deals – they maintain the player's registration.
What other countries use a version of this system?
Club Cooperation systems already operate in a number of countries, such as Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Hungary and Serbia.
Which clubs can enter into these Cooperation Agreements?
A club in the SPFL Premiership or Championship is permitted to operate as the parent club, and sign Cooperation Agreements with clubs further down the pyramid (League One, League Two, Highland League and Lowland League). Championship clubs are also able to be both a parent club, to a club in a lower division, and a recipient club to a Premiership club. A club cannot sign a Cooperation Agreement with a club in the same league as their first team or B team.
Can a club enter more than one Cooperation Agreement?
The parent club may sign a Cooperation Agreement with a different club at each level of the pyramid, but a parent club cannot have two Cooperation clubs within the same division.
Which players are eligible to move under the Cooperation System?
Only players who are eligible to play for the Scotland National Team and who are under the age of 21 would be able to participate on a 'Cooperation List'. For the upcoming 2025/2026 Season, a player designated as Under-21 would refer to a player born in the calendar year 2005 or younger. This is in line with the definition used by other nations around Europe.
How many players can move to one club at a certain time?
The parent club, which pays the full salary for players under this system, is able to list a maximum of three players who would appear on a 'Cooperation List' between the two clubs.
Does the Cooperation System replace the previous Loans System?
The Cooperation System does not replace the Loans system, meaning clubs can use either of, or a combination of, both systems. A maximum of five players can be shared between two clubs (including loans and 'Cooperation List' players). Clubs can have a maximum of three loan players from club to club – therefore the maximum split would be 2/3 or 3/2 in terms of loan / cooperation. Clubs are under no obligation to use all three slots if they sign a Cooperation Agreement.
When can players move between clubs under the Cooperation System?
Clubs are entitled to change the players on the Cooperation List – to remove a player who has been recalled or not participating and replace him with another young player who may benefit from the experience – but only during the summer and winter transfer windows, as well as the extended loan windows that follows the transfer windows. Players who are on the Cooperation List are able to move freely between both clubs throughout the season, although there is a minimum playing time for a player to remain on a cooperation list beyond the cut-off date of 31 March. As a minimum, a player on a Cooperation List must have played at least 15 minutes in at least five matches for the Cooperation club before 31 March to be eligible to feature for the Cooperation club after that date. This would ensure that a club cannot receive extra assistance for key games late in the season with a player being made available just for those games.
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