Sunderland’s hidden Europa League squad registration issues Florent Ghisolfi must solve this summer | OneFootball

Sunderland’s European return brings romance and a fresh puzzle for Florent Ghisolfi, who must navigate UEFA registration.

According to Sunderland Echo, UEFA’s March 2026 guidance caps List A at 25, with eight locally trained places that cannot be replaced. Those are split into club-trained and association-trained, based on three seasons between ages 15 and 21, and only four association-trained can count.

Even after Dennis Cirkin and Bertrand Traoré left, the association-trained quota looks manageable, with options including Leo Hjelde, Simon Moore and Dan Ballard, with Ballard qualifying via Arsenal. Trai Hume does not count because he developed at Linfield under the Northern Ireland FA.

Club-trained choices are trickier. Chris Rigg qualifies but can sit on List B at 18, Anthony Patterson would count yet is expected to move, and Eliezer Mayenda’s loan to Hibernian interrupts his status.

List B is unlimited but restricted to players born on or after one January 2005 who meet continuity criteria, with 16-year-olds eligible after two uninterrupted years. UEFA also require at least two goalkeepers on List A and three overall, so calls around Robin Roefs, Moore and Patterson hinge on eligibility.

Multiple signings could tighten List A and force omissions. This is not a crisis, but balance between seniors, locally trained players, academy options and goalkeepers is vital. Key dates are two September 2026 for List A, List B the day before games, and up to three additions before knockouts by four February 2027, while any Mundle exit could alter the association-trained balance.

Source: Sunderland Echo