The Scottish Football Association has received Fifa approval for the summer transfer window to start today and remain open until midnight on 5 October.

The Association’s Joint Response Group had been examining the optimum summer transfer window for clubs, with consideration to the impact of COVID-19 on domestic and international movement of players and now believe that the new window addresses the staggered start to the new season and need to “strike an appropriate balance” for clubs to strengthen their squads.

The top flight kicks off on the first weekend in August, with lower league clubs  are due to begin a shortened 27-game season on 17 October.

Martin Boyle of HibernianHibernian Player warm up for the new season at Hibernian Training centrePHOTO Alan Rennie

The SPFL board has also agreed to amend rules on the existing October loan window so that it covers Championship clubs in addition to Leagues One and Two.

For Scottish women’s clubs, the window is open from 15 July until 6 October.

The Scottish League Cup is scheduled to start on 6 October.

John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.