siirtokaarta

siirtokaarta is a Finnish term that translates to "transfer window" in English. It refers to a specific period during which professional sports clubs are permitted to buy and sell players. These windows are regulated by sports governing bodies like FIFA and are designed to ensure fair competition and prevent disruption to ongoing seasons.

The exact timing and duration of transfer windows vary depending on the sport and league. For example, in European football, there are typically two main transfer windows: one in the summer, before the start of the new season, and another shorter one in the winter, during the mid-season break. Players can only be officially transferred between clubs during these designated periods. If a player's contract expires outside of a transfer window, they are considered a free agent and can sign with any club without a transfer fee. The concept of the transfer window aims to provide stability for teams and allow them to make necessary squad adjustments without constant player movement.