Watford’s move for Bodo/Glimt star Philip Zinckernagel will not be held up or prevented by the UK’s new post Brexit work permit rules.
The Hornets are on the verge of signing Zinckernagel on a free transfer, with reports yesterday indicating that he was undergoing a medical at Vicarage Road.
That has been confirmed elsewhere, with it reported by BT in Denmark today that he is ‘on the verge’ of making the move after his agent, Pini Zahavi, getting him the move he wanted.
There had been some confusion, though, with several claims that his move to Watford could be held up, or even prohibited, by the new rules on work permits that were announced earlier this month.
A quick glance at the qualifying criteria suggested Zinckernagel would miss out given he’s been plying his trade in the Eliteserien and is yet to make his full debut for Denmark.
It seems, though, that it won’t be an issue.
Nettavisen report that according to their information, the player signed a ‘pre-settlement agreement’ back in September meaning he has had a registered address in England since that date.
That, it seems, qualifies him for a work permit and has ‘simplified’ the Dane’s transfer to the Championship side.
Quite why this is the case isn’t made clear, but it seems Zahavi knows what he’s doing and has managed to avoid the tricky new system and get his player the move.
So rest assured Watford fans, your move for Zinckernagel doesn’t appear to be in danger, and you can get excited about signing a man who managed 19 goals and 24 assists in 28 games last season.
