BRITISH football teams could find it harder to sign top European stars if the UK votes to sever ties with Brussels, Karren Brady has warned club chiefs.

The Tory peer, vice-chairman of West Ham United, has written to professional teams to warn that “cutting ourselves off from Europe would have devastating consequences” for both the economy and the competitiveness of British football.

Baroness Brady, who is on the board of the main campaign to keep the UK in the European Union, said free movement rules made it easier to attract talent from the other 27 member states.

She claimed that two-thirds of players from EU nations playing in England might not meet the visa criteria applying to non-EU countries and could therefore be forced to leave.

In a letter to the chairmen of all professional sides in England, Scotland and Wales, she said: “For clubs, free movement plays a big role in transfers and players’ contracts.

“Players from the EU can sign for UK clubs without needing a visa or special work permit, making it quicker and easier to secure top talent from across Europe to come and play in our leagues.

“Indeed, there are nearly 200 Premier League footballers alone who have benefited from this arrangement. Leaving the EU could have a big impact on foreign players, as independent analysis has shown that two-thirds of European stars in England would not meet automatic non-EU visa criteria and therefore might be forced to leave.

“Losing this unhindered access to European talent would put British clubs at a disadvantage compared to continental sides.”

Her letter also suggests fans travelling to away games in Europe benefit from cheaper flights and not having to pay visas.