Renato Sanches has been denied the chance to wear his No.85 shirt for Swansea City due to an obscure Premier League rule.
The Portugal international has joined Swansea on a season-long loan after struggling for playing time at Bayern Munich last season.
Sanches wore No.35 during his spell in the Bundesliga but had requested to be given the No.85 ahead of his move to the Premier League.
But due to Premier League rules, squad numbers must be consecutive and closer to the highest current number.
Despite the minor setback, Sanches is due to make his debut for Paul Clement’s side after the international break when they host Newcastle United at the Liberty Stadium.
‘He is a player I know well having worked with him for six months at Bayern Munich before my own move to Swansea,’ Clement told Swansea’s official website.
‘Having moved from Benfica to Bayern Munich, he has not played as much as he would have liked. But this move to Swansea and the Premier League will provide him with a real positive development experience.
‘As a player he is a dynamic, powerful central midfielder who I believe has all the attributes to suit the Premier League.’
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