Can he buy out his contract?
Article 17: compensation
If a contract is terminated without just cause, the person in breach will have to pay compensation. Generally, when calculating the level of compensation, the law of the country concerned and the specific city of sport will be considered. Other criteria which will be taken into account will be the player’s pay and benefits due under the existing contract and/or the new contract, the time remaining on the existing contract up to a maximum of five years, the fees and expenses paid or incurred by the former club and whether the contractual breach falls within a ‘protected period’.
For players under the age of 28, the protected period for their contract is three years, meaning they can buy themselves out of the contract three years after signing it. For players over the age of 28, the protected period for their contract is two years. The protected period starts again when, while renewing the contract, the duration of the previous contract is extended.
Entitlement to compensation cannot be assigned to a third party. If a player has to pay compensation, he and his new club shall be jointly and severally liable for its payment. The amount may be stipulated in the contract or agreed between the parties.
Article 17: sporting sanctions
In addition to the need to pay compensation, sporting sanctions will also be imposed on a player in breach of contract during the protected period. This means they will be banned from playing in official matches for up to four months, or, where there are particularly aggravating circumstances, up to six months. These bans will take effect from the start of the following season at the new club.
Sporting sanctions will not be imposed if a player unilaterally breaches his contract without just cause/sporting just cause after the protected period. He may, however, face disciplinary measures if he fails to give notice of termination within 15 days of the last official match of the season (including national cups) of the club he is registered with.