Cathal Heffernan highlighted the benefit of Brexit when discussing his move from Cork City to AC Milan last summer.
The 17-year-old initially joined the Italian giants on loan in 2022, with the option to make the move permanent in the summer.
Ireland's U17 captain signed for AC Milan for a fee of €30,000. The highly regarded center back is making an impression with the seven-time European Cup winners, having captained them already.
Heffernan has a rich sporting background, with his parents being Olympic sprinter Marian Heffernan and five-time Olympian Rob Heffernan.
The defender highlighted the importance of Brexit in making his move to Milan possible, and addressed the potential downfall it could have on British clubs.
"If Brexit hadn't had happened I probably could be in England right now," Heffernan told Sky News.
"It's a massive disadvantage for England. They are going to have to figure out a way, in the future, to counteract it.
"The European clubs are going to start taking over."
Heffernan is under contract with AC Milan until the 2025, as he aims to break into the first team between now and then.
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