The EFL has announced clubs have officially voted through proposals that will see the transfer window close following the opening game of the league season.

The transfer window, for permanent transfers, will close at 5pm on Thursday, August 9, in line with the Premier League.

However, EFL clubs will still be able to sign players on loan until Friday, August 31.

An EFL statment read: “Consultation with clubs has been ongoing since last year and as a result of a vote, the window will now close for permanent transfers from another club on Thursday 9th August 2018 at 5pm, which is aligned with the decision the Premier League opted to take in September 2017.

In addition, EFL clubs will still be able to:

  • Sign players on Standard Loan up to the 31st August 2018
  • Sign players on Standard Loan up to 31st August 2018 with an option to agree a permanent transfer when the next window opens
  • Register players who ceased to be registered with a club during the period up until 31st August 2018
  • Transfer players OUT to a club in any league whose window is still open

“The EFL was under no obligation to make any changes and the board adopted a neutral position on the matter ensuring that clubs were provided with the appropriate information in order to fully consider the implications and come to a decision that benefitted their own individual transfer policies.”

EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: “After discussing the options throughout the course of the last few months, I’m pleased that the matter has been determined by clubs ahead of the start of next season.

“This new approach will give clubs and managers the stability they crave earlier in the season whilst also providing the flexibility to add to their squads after the traditional deadline until the end of the month if required.”

The EFL also announced that clubs had opted new policy guidance in regard to what constitutes a ‘full strength’ team.

“Following the widespread attention the matter of team selection received in the closing weeks of the 2016/17 season, it was agreed the EFL would work up a policy to determine what constitutes a ‘full strength’ team to remove any ambiguity and further potential reputational damage to the EFL and its competitions.

“Clubs supported the implementation of guidance on the following basis: ‘for any League match played on or after the fourth Thursday in March (including season 2017/18), any team sheet for a League game should include at least 10 outfield players who featured on the team sheet for the League match before.’

“In the event any club breaches the threshold, they may be charged with a breach of Regulation 24 and the matter will be referred to a Disciplinary Commission.”