This is how Sunderland and their League One rivals can make signings after 11pm deadline

Sunderland have completed their January business in terms of incomings but there is still scope for free agents to arrive after 11pm tonight.
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We take a look at everything you need to know:

When does the winter transfer window close?

The winter transfer window will close at 11pm on Monday, February 1.

Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson.Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson.
Sunderland head coach Lee Johnson.

What deals will clubs have to complete by this point?

Any deal involving a player already registered at another club will have to be concluded by this deadline.

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That means managers will have to wrap-up any loan deals they wish to pursue by this point, or any deals which may include clubs purchasing a player for a fee.

Outgoing deals to domestic clubs will also have to be concluded by 11pm on Monday – but players could still leave provided the window of any potential buyers remains open.

When do clubs have to submit their finalised squad list to the EFL?

As part of the salary cap regulations, clubs now need to submit a 22-man squad list to the EFL for monitoring purposes. Under-21 players do not need to be included in this list, but any members of the squad who the manager plans to use must be named on this list.EFL regulations state this must be submitted within 24 hours of the window closing, or on any other date dictated by the EFL. This squad list is then locked-in and is tricky to change but not impossible...

Can any players be signed after this deadline?

Yes, thanks to that handy little loophole we mentioned. The EFL rules state that players can only be added to squad lists after the deadline in ‘truly exceptional circumstances’ – with one notable caveat.Guidance issued to clubs states that the EFL will consider making changes to a squad list outside a transfer window in a situation where ‘The Club’s current Squad List contains less than the maximum number of Players permitted to be included on the Squad List and the Club wishes to add an Out of Registration Player or another Player registered with the Club but not currently included on the Squad List’So put in simple terms, clubs will be able to sign a free agent after the window closes and register them to play in League One – provided they have not already registered 22 players.

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