Braintree Town lift transfer embargo after Kyrell Lisbie sale

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, August 9, 2026

Braintree Town have lifted their transfer embargo following a £300,000 financial boost from the sell-on clause in Kyrell Lisbie’s recent transfer to Millwall. This injection of funds improves the club’s financial stability through 2028 and allows more flexibility in the transfer market after their recent relegation.

Braintree Town have lifted their transfer embargo following a significant financial boost from the sale of former player Kyrell Lisbie. The club, which was relegated to the National League South in April, was placed under the embargo in May due to a shortfall attributed to falling attendances and overspending on the playing budget.

The embargo has now been lifted after Braintree received a share of the funds from Lisbie’s transfer. Lisbie, 22, moved from Peterborough United to Millwall in a deal reportedly worth £2.5 million. Braintree, having negotiated a 12.5 percent sell-on clause when they sold Lisbie to Peterborough for £75,000 last year, stand to gain over £300,000 from the move. The forward had scored 13 goals in 40 appearances for Braintree before his initial transfer.

In an official statement, Braintree confirmed they have started receiving the sell-on payments in instalments, with the initial payment already made. The club said these funds, combined with other support, have enabled them to clear the embargo imposed by the National League, improving their financial position through to 2028.

Despite this positive development, Braintree expressed frustration with FIFA for withholding a separate payment related to defender Tommy Smith. The 36-year-old represented New Zealand at the FIFA World Cup, entitling the club to a solidarity payment of approximately £175,000 for releasing the player. However, FIFA has delayed these payments, citing an arbitrary decision to postpone transfers through the Football Association until the end of the year.

Braintree’s statement also referred to ongoing delays in recovering salary repayments stemming from a former player’s participation in the European Nations League with Gibraltar nearly two years ago, highlighting a pattern of postponed FIFA payments to the club.

The club’s recent financial relief through the Lisbie sell-on clause allows them greater flexibility in the transfer market and sustains their operations after a challenging season marked by relegation and financial constraints.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.