David Martindale has revealed that a work permit application for summer signing Aphelele Teto has failed once again.
The South African born forward joined Livingston back in August 2023, but is yet to make his debut for the club after six months.
The 20 year old was signed from TS Galaxy back in the summer, but had his work permit rejected by the Governing body endorsement (GBE) upon arrival in Scotland.
Livingston boss David Martindale had previously hoped that the club would be successful in their attempt to reapply for a work permit in January.
However, Martindale revealed that this had not been the case when speaking to the media last week stating;
“We can’t get an another panel for him, the biggest problem since Teto signed was that there hasn’t been any camps from the (South African) under 20s or under 23s”
“We were not allowed to apply for a new permit to the GBE (Governing body endorsement) panel as there has not been a change in circumstances”
Martindale revealed that the South African’s visitor permit to the United Kingdom has now ran out, restricting his ability to return to the country.
The Livingston boss now hopes that the forward will manage to play some football away on loan for the next six months and then reapply to the GBE.
“Teto is away training with a couple of teams across Europe with the aim to be getting him out playing on loan for the next six months, which would then give us the necessary change in circumstances to apply for a panel in the summer”
Livingston, who sit bottom of the Scottish premiership have been desperate for a creative spark in the attacking third all season and Martindale spoke about his frustration with the situation saying;
“Its fustrasting, he defiantly would of been an asset for us… We have seen a lot of him over the last six months and he has been absolutely incredible”
Livingston will now look to loan out the forward until the summer where they will once again reapply for a work permit.
