How loan moves can impact on footballers’ match performance

  2nd August 2022

University of Gloucestershire has carried out the first study of its kind to examine the stress felt by male professional footballers when they are loaned out to play for other teams and the impact of that on performance.

Across professional football, including in the Premier League, a growing number of players may experience a loan move – when a footballer is temporarily transferred to play for another club but is still registered as a contracted player to their respective ‘parent’ club.

Among the factors identified by previous studies that can impact wellbeing and match performance while a player is on loan are insufficient time for players to adapt to an unfamiliar style of play and the lack of game time, which can affect fitness.

A new study led by the University’s Dr Sofie Kent, in collaboration with Dr Rich Neil from Cardiff University and Dr Robert Morris from the University of Stirling, has highlighted previously unidentified factors. You can read more about this story on the University website.