Footballers brought in during the winter transfer period cannot feature in European competitions until the league phase has concluded.
Footballers brought in during the winter transfer period cannot feature in European competitions until the league phase has concluded.
Only three fresh names may be added to a squad once that stage ends, with the registration cut-off set for Thursday, 5 February.
Identical eligibility regulations are enforced across the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
Participating clubs still have two fixtures remaining in the league phase before the elimination matches begin later in February.
As a consequence, recent arrivals must wait before appearing on the continental stage.
Manchester City will travel to Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday and later face Galatasaray without Antoine Semenyo or Marc Guehi, both secured in January.
Tottenham Hotspur are in a similar situation, as Conor Gallagher cannot be selected by Thomas Frank for encounters with Borussia Dortmund or Eintracht Frankfurt.
These absences stem solely from administrative limits rather than fitness or selection choices.
The regulations are designed to maintain squad stability throughout the early part of European tournaments.
There is, however, an exception for academy-aged footballers through the List B mechanism.
City defender Max Alleyne qualifies under this category despite returning from a temporary spell at Watford during the same month.
List B is reserved for players born after 1 January 2004 who have spent three continuous years at their club, allowing for one short domestic loan.
Alleyne satisfies those conditions at the age of 20, making him available despite the wider restrictions.
UEFA previously removed the cup-tied rule in 2018-19, meaning competitors may now represent more than one side in a single campaign.
That adjustment allowed Paris St-Germain to use Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after his January move from Napoli, with the winger playing a role in their maiden Champions League triumph.
