What is a Contract Sheet in the Transfer Window?
Premier League clubs must submit a 'contract sheet' to finalize transfers in the last two hours of the transfer window, allowing them to confirm agreement and gain extra time to submit remaining documents.
Premier League clubs are required to submit a 'contract sheet' to finalize transfers in the last two hours of the transfer window. Clubs often leave transfer issues until the last minute, so they must apply to the Premier League to confirm that the transfer can be completed.
The contract sheet allows the club to confirm that an agreement has been reached and gain extra time to submit the remaining documents. The Premier League and English Football League have set the transfer deadline for Monday, February 2, at 19:00 GMT.
The contract sheet cannot be used before 17:00 GMT and must be completed before the transfer window closes. Once the contract sheet has been received by the Premier League, clubs have an additional two hours, or until 21:00 GMT, to submit all necessary documents.
If all necessary documents are not submitted after the deadline, the transfer will not be completed. The Premier League reported a record nine contract sheets submitted in 2024.
Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 after the club submitted a contract sheet on time, completing the transfer. However, Blackburn Rovers' attempt to transfer Orlando City player Duncan McGuire in 2024 was unsuccessful due to a late submission of the contract sheet.
The contract sheet consists of a simple form, which clubs must fill in with the following information:
- Selling club
- Buying club
- Transfer value
- Guaranteed amounts
- Counter payments
If a club wishes to transfer a foreign player, they must also meet the deadline for FIFA's Matching System. This system allows for faster, smoother, and more transparent transfers of international players between clubs.
The buying club must upload all information to the system, and the international club must also match all details by midnight. The FA must also request an international permit, and then the Premier League and clubs will confirm that the transfer can be completed.
The British club must also apply for a work permit before the transfer window closes.