MLS transfer window: Key dates for the 2023 campaign

Major League Soccer will have two transfer periods during the 2023 campaign: the Primary Window and the Secondary Window.

• Primary Transfer Window (2023): Tuesday, January 31 to Monday, April 24
• Secondary Transfer Window (2023): Wednesday, July 5 to Wednesday, August 2

During these periods, Major League Soccer teams may request the International Transfer Certificate (ITC) of a player under contract in another country. Deals may be talked about and agreed upon outside of a designated window, but the transfer and receipt of an ITC are required in order to officially add a player to a roster and make him eligible for official competitions.

Additionally, all in-season trades between MLS clubs must take place within either the Primary Transfer Window or the Secondary Transfer Window.

Key MLS dates:

• Roster Compliance Deadline (2023): Friday, February 24 at 8pm ET
• Roster Freeze (2023): Wednesday, September 13

Teams must be roster and budget compliant when kicking off the 2023 MLS season on February 25. But Rosters will not lock in until six weeks before Decision Day on October 21. The time between the Secondary Transfer Window and Roster Freeze Date gives clubs the opportunity to sign free agents.