Premier League clubs vote to slam window shut before start of season

English Premier League clubs have agreed to close the summer transfer window the day before the start of the 2018-19 season.

Clubs will not be allowed to register new players after 5pm on Thursday, 9 August, 2018, but they will still be able to sell players to clubs in leagues where the window is still open, as is currently the case.

In a short statement, the league said: “Premier League clubs have today agreed to a rule amendment that will see the summer transfer window in any year end at 17:00 on the Thursday before the start of the season. This is for Premier League clubs only and has no bearing on other leagues and competitions.”

Yesterday’s vote, which was not unanimous, followed weeks of debate about the uncertainty caused by three weeks of transfer activity and speculation at the start of a new campaign.

The fact that Alex Oxladechamberlain joined Liverpool only five days after playing for Arsenal in a 4-0 defeat at Anfield was raised as an example of the extended window’s potential threat to the integrity of the league.

Brighton manager Chris Hughton said: “That is good news. I think most managers would say the same. You have a hectic enough time as it is preparing for the season.

“It would make it uncomfortable going into the first week but most of us would prefer to have it then than what we have now.”

The Scottish Professional Football League said it has no plans to follow the EPL.