Ahead of MLS transfer deadline, Colorado Rapids make a pair of outbound trades as Bryan Acosta

With the first game between Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake set to kick off on February 21st, let’s take a look at the important MLS soccer transfer dates for the 2024 season.

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When are the 2024 MLS transfer windows?

Primary Transfer Window: Wednesday, January 31 to Tuesday, April 23

Secondary Transfer Window: Thursday, July 18 to Wednesday, August 14

Like popular European leagues, the 2024 MLS season will have two transfer windows. While they might not line up date-wise, these are the US equivalent of the summer and January transfer windows.

The primary transfer window allows teams to add additional players during the offseason and the first few weeks of play, while the secondary transfer window allows teams to upgrade their roster heading into the second half of the season.

During either transfer window, teams can request an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) of a player under contract in another country, as well as make trades with other MLS clubs.

Teams can agree to ITC’s outside of these dates, but they must wait for the next available window for the player to join the team.

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Other Key Dates

Roster Compliance Day: Friday, February 23*

By this date, one day before teams play their first official match of the season, all squads must comply with the Team roster and Team Salary Budget limits.

This does not mean teams can’t make moves after this date, but they must be fielding a roster that meets league rules by this point.

*: For Inter Miami and Real Salt Lake, who play on the 21st, this date will be Tuesday, February 20.

Roster Freeze Day: Friday, September 13

While the secondary transfer window might end on August 14, teams will still have another month to acquire new MLS players.

Transfers between teams are not allowed during this time, but clubs can still sign out-of-contract free agents until roster freeze day.

Decision Day: Saturday, October 19

The final and most important day of the MLS regular soccer season, decision day, is the last chance for teams to fight for playoff seeding.

With rosters locked in roughly five weeks before decision day, clubs will have had enough time to fully integrate their new signings and make one last push for playoff positions before the MLS Cup begins in earnest.