When does the summer transfer window shut around Europe? How does a ‘deal sheet’ work? From timings to key questions, here’s everything you need to know ahead of Deadline Day.
When does the summer transfer window close?
The window will close on Friday, August 30 at 11pm UK time in England and Scotland.
The Premier League and Scottish Premiership brought forward Deadline Day to ensure harmonisation with the major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Clubs are able to complete deals after the deadline passes if they have submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League. The deal sheet allows a club to confirm a deal has been agreed and allows for additional time to submit any outstanding documents.
What time is the deadline around Europe?
While the major leagues around Europe have aligned in terms of the date of Deadline Day, the timings differ across the continent.
The Bundesliga transfer window shuts at 7pm, while in Ligue 1 the deadline is 10pm. Clubs can do business in LaLiga until 10.59pm and Serie A’s deadline is 11pm.
When is the WSL transfer deadline?
Women’s Super League sides have until 11pm on Friday, September 13 to do business.
The 2024/25 WSL season starts the following weekend, with Arsenal taking on Manchester City in a heavyweight clash on Sky Sports on the first weekend.
What’s the ‘deal sheet’?
Essentially, extra time for clubs scrambling to conclude late deals.
A ‘deal sheet’ allows a club to confirm that a deal has been reached, buying them additional time to submit the remaining documentation.
Premier League rules state that for an 11pm deadline, the deal sheet cannot be used before 9pm, and needs to arrive fully completed before the transfer window closes.
Once the sheet arrives, clubs have got another two hours – or until 1am on Saturday – to submit the full paperwork.
If a club is looking to complete an international transfer, they must still comply with the FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS) deadline of midnight.
When will players signed on Deadline Day be eligible to play?
The Premier League action resumes this weekend, with a blockbuster clash between Manchester United and Liverpool live on Super Sunday.
But new registrations of players have to be completed by midday the day before a round of matches.
That means players must be registered by noon on Deadline Day if they are to play this weekend, otherwise they will have to wait until after the international break to feature.
Can clubs sign players outside the transfer window?
Signings are often announced outside a transfer window, but a player will not be able to be registered to play for their new side until the window opens.
What about free agents?
Free agents can sign for a team at any time, as they are not contracted to another club.
If a player is to become a free agent at the start of July, they can agree a transfer to another club but will not officially be their player until their contract is over.
When is the 2025 winter transfer window?
The winter transfer window in the Premier League and EFL will open on New Year’s Day and close on Monday, February 3 at 11pm. This is the same in Germany, Italy, Spain and France.
Follow the summer transfer window with Sky Sports
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.