LONDON, Dec 13: The January transfer window, the last opportunity for players to join English clubs this season, will in fact end on Feb 2, the Football Association (FA) announced here on Friday.

“After full consultation with our partners in the Premier League and Football League it has been agreed to push the transfer deadline through to 5pm (1700GMT) on Feb 2,” an FA statement said.

“This is because January 31 falls on a Saturday and, in order to fall in line with procedures adopted by foreign Associations, the closure has been moved from a week-end date to the first available week day.

“This is consistent with the decision taken in August when the deadline was extended to Sept 1 and has the support of the majority of national associations and European leagues,” the statement added.—AFP