Transfer window explained amid Deadline Day change - why Scottish clubs are getting 48-hour extra time bonus
Central defender having medical ahead of early summer signing for Hibs
Scottish clubs are being given extra time to get their summer transfer business done, with Deadline Day north of the Border falling TWO DAYS after England’s summer window slams shuts. The move is designed to give SPFL sides a chance to sweep up once Premier League clubs have completed all of their wheeling and dealing at the top end of the market.
This morning saw the official opening of the summer market on both sides of the Border, although clubs have been allowed to announced signings before the official paperwork has gone through. The World Cup is expected to have an impact on timings of deals at all ends of the market, with the knock-on effect of blockbuster transfers likely to be felt further down the footballing food chain.
And that’s one of the reasons why the authorities have negotiated wiggle room for Scottish clubs. The result is 42 hours of added time.
Which Deadline Day are you talking about?
The Scottish FA have confirmed that the tweak to timings will see the registration window here close at 5 pm on Thursday, September 3. The English deadline is 11 pm on Tuesday, September 1.
In previous years, Scottish clubs have complained about the transfer windows on both sides of the Border closing at – or near enough – the same time. This has led to a rush towards the deadline as teams look to field late offers of suddenly available talent on the fringes of Premier League clubs, in particular.
There’s also a knock-on effect that follows any moves by clubs in the world’s domestic competition, even if Scottish teams aren’t directly involved. Directors of football in the Scottish Premiership regularly find themselves waiting to see whether a mid-table Premier League side can sign a £50 million player from a middle-ranking European nation before letting one of their younger players leave on loan, for instance.
First Hibs target in town
Hibs hope to complete their first summer signing early this week, with Jason Kerr their first target. The 29-year-old centre-half, a free agent after his contract with Wigan Athletic expired at the end of the season, was in Edinburgh for a medical this morning.
A centre-half is a priority for David Gray. With Democratic Republic of Congo defender Rocky Bushiri still out for an unspecified period of time with a knee injury sustained at the end of last season, and Munashe Garananga leaving after the end of his loan spell, Hibs are short of a body at the back.
But Gray is also in pursuit of a centre forward and a central midfielder. And could use the extra time to get deals done.
Past record
Three of the half dozen players Hibs signed in the mid-season window arrived on Deadline Day, with Felix Passlack, Ante Suto and Garnanga all involved in a race against the clock. That followed a pattern of late business in the winter market, with Owen Elding, Dane Scarlett and Kai Andrews all arriving towards the very end of January.