by JBG » Fri Jan 16, 2004 1:26 pm
Strictly speaking Stu, I think it is 6 months prior to the end of a contract that a player can sign a pre-contract deal. As most players' contracts begin at the end of June (commonly recognised as being the end of the "season" in Europe....Italy, Spain etc), January 1st would be the first date that such a player could sign a pre-contract.
However, if for some reason the contract expired in May, then the player would be allowed to sign in December, so Boumsong's Auxerre contract must expire this May. Its unusual. I'm not 100% on the point, but you are almost right Stu about the 1st of January thing.
Jolly Bob Grumbine.