When does the South African transfer window open and close?

The football transfer window for July/August is upon us in South Africa, but when does it open and close? Here is everything you need to know

The July/August transfer window is only opening in July but there have already been movements in the South African football.

Top teams such as Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates among others are expected to bolster their squads ahead of next season.

Amakhosi had a terrible 2018/19 season despite signing the likes of Khama Billiat and Lebogang Manyama this time last year, and they are now tipped to spend big in preparation for the upcoming campaign.

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In South Africa, the transfer window opens and closes at the same for all three divisions - the PSL, National First Division and the ABC Motsepe League.

When does the PSL transfer window open?

Irvin Khoza, Orlando Pirates & Kaizer Motaung, Kaizer Chiefs

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The PSL transfer window was officially opened on Monday, July 1, 2019.

While clubs and players could put agreements together before then, those who will be switching clubs had to be registered with the PSL when the transfer window officially opens.

Players such as Fortune Makaringe, who is leaving Maritzburg United for Orlando Pirates, can be announced and unveiled, and they can also link up with their new clubs for pre-season training, which usually begins before July.

However, they cannot play any official matches until they are given the green light by the league.

When does the PSL transfer window close?

Pitso Mosimane, Mamelodi Sundowns & Gavin Hunt, Bidvest Wits

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The PSL is yet to confirm the official date for the closing of this year's transfer window.

However, it's a known fact that the window closes in the first week of September for all the teams in South Africa as the 31st of August falls on the weekend (Saturday), the PSL announced on Monday.

This means the clubs will be given until Monday, September 2, 2019, to complete the registration of their new signings

Over the past two years, the league extended their working hours for the final day of the transfer window from 17h00 to 00h00 SA Time, in order to give clubs enough time to finalise deals and register their new players.

This has been the norm across different European countries, including England, Spain, and Italy among others.

When does the NFD transfer window open?

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Teams such as Cape Umoya United and TS Galaxy have already begun preparing for the new season.

TS Galaxy, who are current Nedbank Cup champions, know that they have a tough season ahead of them, and it is for this reason they need to add more players to their roster as they will also be competing in the Caf Confederation Cup.

They have already signed two players from Botswana, but because the rules of the PSL include teams in the NFD, the duo can only be registered and be allowed to play for them in July.

The first thing teams in the NFD can do is to head into the PSL headquarters in Parktown as soon as the transfer window opens on July 1.

When does the NFD transfer window close?

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NFD teams have previously been deprived of the opportunity to get their desired targets from the PSL and from their rivals in the first division because of time.

Team owners and administrators would need to be negotiating and keeping an eye on the clock at the same late in the afternoon of the final day of the transfer window.

Not so long, Jomo Cosmos boss Jomo Sono had to sprint from his car and into the PSL offices just to able to register one more player before the 17h00 deadline.

This is no longer the case, as everyone can now afford to negotiate deals throughout the day and afternoon and still be able to make it to the PSL offices at night for the registration of their new signings.

When does the window open & close in ABC Motsepe League?

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The rules in the ABC Motsepe League are not too strict, perhaps because this is not a professional league.

However, the transfer window deadline also affects teams campaigning in the division, meaning while they are doing their business quietly, they still have to abide by the rules.

The date of July 1 is a very important one for them as well, and they still have the opportunity to open their checkbooks until the 2nd of September.

Like in the professional setups, ABC Motsepe League teams can sign players outside of the transfer window provided those players were already free agents when the period closed.