Following a meeting of the EFL clubs at Villa Park on Thursday, there have been changes made to the Transfer Window system.

From next season, the transfer window will close at 5pm on Thursday 9th August. This will take it in line with the Premier League which agreed to these changes back in September.

However, as part of these changes, clubs will still be able to make loan signings up until the end of August, both in terms of ordinary loans or loans with a view to a permanent transfer.

Also, clubs will be able to sign players that have been released by their clubs before the end of August.

In theory, these changes will allow clubs to protect their better players and not have seasons disrupted by a last minute transfer out of the club, whilst allowing out of favour players to move on and find a new club.

Further changes introduced at the EFL meeting has been an agreement that towards the end of the season, there is an obligation for teams to play "full strength" teams. A team is deemed to be at full strength if they can field a starting eleven that consists of at least ten players from the previous game's matchday squad.

Further consultation is to take place into the introduction of artificial pitches in the Football League. This will be voted on when the EFL clubs meet again in June.

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