League of Ireland managers have received a list of 646 players who can be signed from Ukrainian and Russian leagues outside of the transfer window.
FIFA has ruled that 340 players in Ukraine and 306 in Russia - of all nationalities - are now free agents following Russia's war on Ukraine.
And while some of those would be considered top earners and out of the reach of Irish clubs, others would suit League of Ireland budgets.
The League of Ireland window closed on February 22 but FIFA has said the 646 players can be signed as free agents until April 7.
And FIFPRO, the worldwide representative organisation for professional footballers, has been able to provide Irish clubs with a salary breakdown for any player on the list.
Managers across the Premier Division and First Division were today provided with a detailed breakdown of the available players.
PFA Ireland general secretary Stephen McGuinness said: “Everyone can see the humanitarian issue here and if leagues can help out in any way, you try to do it.
“Players from the Ukrainian or Russian leagues coming here wouldn’t be putting Irish players out as there was probably a shortage of professional contracts this year.”
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