Siirtoajan

Siirtoajan is a Finnish term that translates to "transfer window" in English and refers to a specific period during the year when professional sports teams are allowed to buy, sell, or loan players. This concept is most prevalent in sports like football (soccer), ice hockey, and basketball, where player movement significantly impacts team rosters and performance.

The duration and timing of siirtoajan are typically determined by the governing bodies of individual sports leagues and federations. These windows are designed to create a structured environment for player transactions, preventing constant flux and allowing teams to adjust their squads during the season. For example, in many European football leagues, there are two main transfer windows: one in the summer, before the season begins, and a shorter one in the winter, mid-season.

During a siirtoajan, clubs can negotiate transfer fees for players under contract with other clubs. Players whose contracts have expired can also be signed freely. Loans are another common transaction, where a player moves to another club for a set period, often to gain experience or get more playing time. The siirtoajan creates a period of intense activity and speculation, often generating significant media attention as clubs vie for top talent and fans eagerly await new signings. Once the window closes, teams must generally wait until the next designated siirtoajan to make further player registrations.