Transfer Deadline Day 2017: What time does the window close? How does it work?

In order to register a player, clubs have to send the Premier League all the documents relating to the transfer, including the contract, the transfer agreement, permission to work in the UK (if required), international clearance if transferring from abroad as well as any transfer levy that may apply. As the transfer deadline approaches, clubs are asked whether they are planning to complete any business so that the Football Department is prepared. The office is staffed late into the night to answer any queries from clubs but generally they will conclude the deal club to club and then submit the paperwork.

Clubs sometimes conclude deals at the last minute and it is not always easy for them to get everything completed and sent over by the deadline. The deal sheet allows a club to confirm that a deal has been reached in order to allow for additional time to submit the remaining documentation. For an 11pm deadline, the deal sheet cannot be used prior to 9pm and needs to arrive fully completed before the transfer window closes. Once the sheet arrives, clubs have got until 1am in which to submit the full paperwork.

When there is an international transfer, the buying and selling clubs have to register it on the TMS in order for international clearance to be generated. The buying club have to upload all the information to the system and the foreign club have to match all the details. Our FA will request clearance and as long everything matches; the foreign association will issue clearance to the FA, who then informs the club and League. The Premier League receives a copy because we need to ensure that players coming in have had their registration transferred to this country, or Wales in the case of Welsh clubs, e.g. Swansea City.