Transfer deadline day: All you need to know about the January 2023 winter window

Everything you need to know about the January Transfer window and deadline day timings of the top five leagues across Europe.

Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo and Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk have been two of the most talked about signings in this January Transfer Window.   | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

It is that time of the year again when footballers will be on the move, teams will get a chance to strengthen their squads and be on the constant lookout for talents, which might turn out to be the missing piece in the jigsaw puzzle.

As club football slowly emerges from its post-World cup hibernation, the 2022-23 January transfer window is unique because of the preceding circumstances.

In football, there are two transfer windows, mandated by FIFA - the first one is the summer transfer window, which spans from June to August. The second one is the winter transfer window that takes place across January. 

When was the transfer window first introduced?

The idea of a transfer window was first proposed and discussed by national football associations in the 1990s, but it wasn’t until 2002 that FIFA made the system compulsory and official.

What is the transfer window used for?

While the term ‘transfer window’ is more widely used, it is officially known as the ‘registration period’ by FIFA. There are two registration periods - one that happens after the season and another that happens in January. 

What makes the 2022-23 January transfer window unique?

Unlike other seasons, this January transfer window takes place right after the FIFA World Cup. The World Cup is usually a summer event, but the Qatar World Cup was the first ever edition to take place in winter. 

This effectively means that player performances in the World Cup will be an important metric for clubs to decide which players they want to sign. Big-money deals are usually synonymous with the summer window, but it won’t be surprising if clubs go for cash-rich deals for players who did well in Qatar. 

When did the January transfer window 2022-23 open?

The January transfer window opened at midnight on January 1 in the Premier League. It also opens for business on the first day of 2023 in the EFL and in Scotland, Germany and France. Clubs in Italy and Spain started making deals on January 2.

When will the January transfer window 2022-23 close? 

For the other top five leagues across Europe, the window shuts at different times.  

January Transfer Window 2022-23 deadlines of the top five leagues across Europe

Premier League: February 1, 4:30 AM IST

Bundesliga: January 31, 10:30 PM IST

Serie A: February 1, 12:30 AM IST

La Liga: February 1, 4:30 AM IST

Ligue 1: February 1, 5:29 AM IST 

**All timings are in Indian Standard Time**