How Sheffield Wednesday CAN sign players despite their reported embargo – but the details are pretty specific

Sheffield Wednesday are still believed to be under a transfer embargo as they continue to finalise their 2019/20 accounts, but that doesn’t mean Darren Moore can’t add to his squad.
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It was first reported last month that the Owls – who were one of several clubs to take advantage of a government option that allowed a delay of three months when it came to filing their accounts – had been placed under an embargo, though it’s thought that it will be lifted as soon as those accounts are submitted.

The Star has already reported that the club remain confident that the issue will be finalised in time for when the transfer window opens up officially on June 9th, however that doesn’t mean that they can’t put in ground work for the time being.

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It is understood that, in order to maintain the sporting integrity of the league, clubs under a registration embargo such as the one Wednesday are believed to be dealing with, are allowed to add to the squad only where they have less than 23 established players.

To be considered ‘established’ a player has to be over the age of 21, and is also understood that they have to have been in the starting XI in at least five games in competitions such as the FA Cup, Carabao Cup or in league matches.

Five Premier League appearances is also thought to be enough to be considered an established player.

Sheffield Wednesday could still sign players despite their reported embargo.Sheffield Wednesday could still sign players despite their reported embargo.
Sheffield Wednesday could still sign players despite their reported embargo.

Another limitation that Wednesday need to work with is the fact that – when signing a squad up to 23 players – they are not allowed to pay any sort of fees, whether that be loan fees or agent fees etc.

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It is thought that, embargo or not, the Owls are not expected to be paying many – if any – transfer fees for players as they plan to work in the loan and free agent market this summer, but, for now at least, it’s thought that they wouldn’t be allowed to pay a transfer fee even if they wanted to.

After opening up on June 9th, the transfer window will close on August 31st.

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