Transfer window

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In association football, the transfer window is the period during the year in which a football team can transfer players either in or out of their playing staff. However, an existing loan deal can be made permanent at any time outside the transfer window. The window was introduced in response to negotiations with the European Commission.

The system has been used in many European leagues before being brought into compulsory effect by FIFA during the 2002-03 season. There are two windows per season, one from the close of the season until midnight of 31 August and one from midnight on 31 December until 11pm on 31 January the same year. Clubs from the Football League Championship to the Football Conference can loan in players from 8 September to 23 November and also from 8 February until 23 March.

The day upon which a window closes is known as deadline day. Deadline day is usually one of the busiest days of the transfer window. Typically this day generates a rash of media interest and can also see big moves; for example, on 31 August 2005, Michael Owen moved from Real Madrid to Newcastle United, on 31 August 2004, Everton's Wayne Rooney signed for Manchester United and on the 31 August 2006 the major transfer coup was West Ham United's controversial double signing of Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano. Another notable transfer occurred in 2004 when Aston Villa signed Nolberto Solano, who went on to become their player of the season. And Ashley Cole finally moved to Chelsea from Arsenal when both teams agreed a deal (at about 11:55PM), with William Gallas moving the other way plus £5million. If the last day of a transfer window is on a Saturday then the deadline is usually extended to the Monday for business reasons.^[1]