Thursday 6 August 2015 11:47, UK
The Premier League have confirmed clubs have until midday on Friday to register any new signings for the opening weekend of the season.
The rule applies to every club, whether they are competing on Saturday, Sunday or Monday.
It means any player bought after the deadline will have to wait to make their debut and the earliest they will feature for their new club will be on August 15.
QPR and Joey Barton fell foul to the ruling in 2011, following the midfielder’s move to Loftus Road.
Barton completed his transfer from Newcastle a day before his new side’s trip to Wigan Athletic. But having signed on a Friday afternoon, a matter of hours after the deadline, he was forced to watch from the stands.
Clubs involved in advanced negotiations for their major targets are likely to want to avoid a repeat of that situation as they attempt to secure the best possible start to the new season.
