Breaking: Hearts transfer takes major step as key document signed off for 23-year-old arrival
Gerald Taylor’s move to Hearts has taken a significant step forward as the Scottish Football Association accepted the Costa Rican’s signing. Officials at Hampden Park have now signed a Governing Body Endorsement form, which is critical to the entire process.
Hearts came to agreement with Taylor and his club, Deportivo Saprissa, earlier this month on an initial loan deal with the prospect of a permanent six-figure transfer next year. To play in Scotland, the defender requires a working visa, and Hearts must obtain a GBE from the Scottish FA in order to apply for one.
Taylor is considered as a bright prospect who might benefit the Scottish game, and following a hearing, the SFA is willing to let the move proceed as long as the UK Home Office issues a visa. Hearts has now forwarded the GBE along with their visa application, and they hope to receive a decision early next month.
Taylor, 23, is now with the Costa Rica squad in the Copa America and will not come in Edinburgh for some time. Los Ticos hope to advance to the next stages of the event, which runs until July 20. Taylor came on as a late substitute for their first encounter against Brazil on Tuesday.
Should the Home Office permit his arrival in the country, Hearts can then request an international transfer certificate through FIFA and register their latest signing with the SFA. They have already recruited six players so far this summer – goalkeeper Ryan Fulton, defenders James Penrice and Daniel Oyegoke, midfielders Blair Spittal and Yan Dhanda, plus striker Musa Drammeh.
Background info on GBEs
The Scottish Football Association Governing Body Endorsement Requirements for Men’s Football document is extensive and lays out that part of the procedure in full. Sections two, three and four read: “A club can apply for a GBE for a migrant at any time during the Season. In order to apply for a GBE, a club must hold a valid Sponsor’s Licence under Tier 2 and/or Tier 5 of the PBS [Home Office Points Based System]. In order to apply for and obtain a valid Sponsor’s Licence, a club must have obtained an endorsement letter for a Sponsor’s Licence from The Scottish FA. “If a Club’s Sponsor’s Licence is revoked, any migrant who has obtained a GBE in order to play for/manage/coach the club may have his leave curtailed and may have to make a change in employment application which must be granted before the migrant can undertake any employment duties for the new club.
“If The Scottish FA grants an application for a GBE for a migrant based on these criteria, the club may award the migrant a Certificate of Sponsorship for the duration of the GBE. The GBE must be given to the Home Office when the club applies for entry clearance on a migrant’s behalf, which must be done within three months after receiving a Certificate of Sponsorship.
“Any Certificate of Sponsorship and a copy of the migrant’s biometric residence permit must be presented to The Scottish FA by the club within three months of assignment. Clubs must preserve a copy of the relevant page of the migrant’s passport proving their right to work and contact information for the migrant, which must be submitted to The Scottish FA upon request. In order to obtain leave to continue under Tier 2 or Tier 5 of the PBS, the club must also meet any additional criteria established by the Home Office.
“A GBE under Tier 2 of the PBS will be given for three years or the length of the migrant’s contract (whichever is shorter), and a GBE under Tier 5 of the PBS will be granted for one year or the length of the migrant’s contract (whichever is shorter). A migrant shall be ineligible to play for, manage, or coach the club after the expiry date of the GBE unless the club sought for and received an Extended GBE before the original GBE expired in line with these requirements and the PBS.”
According to the paper, players can earn a “auto pass” based on their number of international caps and their country’s standing in the FIFA global rankings. Taylor has six caps to date. Those who do not qualify for an automatic pass are graded on a point system. This is determined by the number of minutes they played for their previous club in both domestic and continental competition, as well as the club’s final league place and league ranking the previous season. There are also points for his wage in comparison to the league median average.
Once the GBE is obtained, the Home Office conducts its own checks to verify the individual’s character and past. Again, a point-based system is used. They consider Hampden’s GBE and, in most cases, but not all, issue the player the appropriate documents to live and work in the United Kingdom.
Finally, after all of the above is in place, FIFA will be requested to issue an international transfer certificate to the player in question. Once the respective clubs have reached an agreement and the immigration procedures have been completed, the process is usually swift and simple. It may take some time if a piece of paperwork is missing, but it is primarily a formality.
