What is an EFL deal sheet & how does it affect Championship clubs on transfer deadline day?

For the first time, Championship clubs will be allowed to submit a deal sheet on deadline day giving them an additional two hours to complete transfers after the 7pm cut-off point.

Deal sheets have been part and parcel of the Premier League for over a decade, with the EFL recently announcing that clubs in the Championship would be allowed to submit them in an attempt to seal late moves of their own.

But what exactly is a deal sheet, and why is it so important to clubs in the second-tier?

Find out below...

What is an EFL deal sheet?

An EFL deal sheet is a new addition to transfer deadline day for clubs in the EFL which grants them additional time to submit the necessary paperwork for a prospective new signing.

With the transfer deadline falling on Monday 2nd February for clubs in England, including the Championship, the deal sheet means that teams will be granted an additional two hours to complete the formalities of an agreement, providing a deal sheet is submitted to the EFL.

When can an EFL deal sheet be used?

EFL deal sheets can only be used following 17:00 (GMT) and need to be submitted to the EFL prior to the 19:00 (GMT) deadline.

Providing the deal sheet was received by the EFL, the clubs are granted an additional two hours, or until 21:00 (GMT) to submit all the required paperwork.

Should all the necessary paperwork not be filed before 21:00 (GMT) then the transfer will not be completed, irrespective of the fact that a deal sheet had been sent.

When can a deal sheet in the Championship be used?

An EFL deal sheet can only be submitted by a Championship club for a transfer relating to a signing from another EFL side.

The deal sheet does not apply to transfers or loans to and from clubs outside the EFL, including the Premier League.

Should additional time be required to complete the formalities of a deal from a Premier League club, a Premier League deal sheet must be used instead.

What is on an EFL deal sheet?

The EFL deal sheet is required to include details from both clubs that negotiations for the transfer or loan of a player were agreed prior to the 19:00 (GMT) deadline, as well as including the compensation fee details, payment schedule and signatures from both clubs and the player in question.

Who signs the EFL deal sheet?

An EFL deal sheet must be signed by both the buying and selling clubs, together with the player or their representative.

For players under the age of 18, the EFL required the players parents or guardians to sign the document.

Does the EFL deal sheet represent a legally binding transfer contract?

An EFL deal sheet is not legally binding, meaning both clubs, together with the player, must complete all the rest of the required transfer forms in order for the player to officially be registered with a new club.