Major League Soccer is open for business.
Today marks the opening of the league’s secondary transfer window – one of two periods on the calendar in which teams can acquire new players via intra-league trades or international transfers/loans. Teams can sign free agents at any time, but it is only within the transfer windows that they can bring in players currently under contract in another country.
The summer window runs until August 9, giving teams a month to bolster their rosters ahead of the post-season, whereas the primary window typically runs February to May.
The ‘Caps were busy during the primary window, acquiring the likes of Fredy Montero, Yordy Reyna, and Bernie Ibini while also making trades to acquire Brek Shea, Tony Tchani, and Sheanon Williams. Typically, you don’t see as much movement in the summer, but last year the 'Caps did acquire defenders Marcel de Jong and David Edgar.
It is important to note that transfer windows only apply to the team acquiring the player.
For example, Whitecaps FC could sell/loan a player at any time – provided the transfer window is open in the country of the player’s new club.
SUMMER TRANSFER WINDOWS AROUND THE WORLD
Brazil: June 20 – July 20
Canada/US: July 10 – August 9
Chile: June 1 – August 23
China: June 19 – July 14
England/France: June 9 – August 31
Spain: July 1 – September 1
Sweden: July 15 – August 11
Uruguay: July 12 – August 11
