16 Dec 2008FA extends transfer window deadline

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

The FA has decided to extend the upcoming transfer window after consultation with the Premier League and Football League, it was confirmed on Friday (December 12th).

The window was due to close on January 31st, but because it is a Saturday, clubs will now have a deadline of 17:00 GMT on February 2nd to rush through their last-minute deals.

A statement on the FA's website explained that to "fall in line with procedures adopted by Foreign Associations the closure has been moved from a weekend date to the first available weekday".

The move is not unprecedented, as English football's governing body also ruled in the previous window at the start of the season that deals could be concluded a day later than the stated August 31st deadline.

Similarly, the stance was adopted by the majority of national associations and European leagues.

The last deadline day was particularly notable as Manchester City secured the shock £32.5 million British record signing of Robinho after the Abu Dhabi United Group completed their takeover of the Eastlands side.

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