Transfer News: A Late Flurry Of Signings Lights Up Deadline Day

The deadline also applied to English Football League clubs - although they can still sign free agents and loan players until 31 August.

Premier League and EFL clubs voted - although not unanimously - to close the transfer market earlier this season to avoid disruption to the opening weeks of the season.

However, it was only introduced in England, with Spanish, German, French and Scottish clubs able to sign players until the end of the month.

Italy has a deadline of Friday, 17 August - the day before Serie A starts.

Players could still leave the Premier League - with Chelsea's Eden Hazard a reported target for Spanish giants Real Madrid, although the Blues would then not be able to sign a replacement.

The story of transfer deadline day looked as if this was going to be the quietest final day since the window was introduced in 2003 - with only eight signings confirmed by Premier League clubs before 17:00.

The highest-profile deal at that stage was midfielder Mateo Kovacic joining Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid - with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois going the other way permanently. But clubs had another two hours after the deadline to finalize paperwork - during which Everton signed Colombia defender Mina and midfielder Andre Gomes on loan from Barcelona having signed free agent Bernard earlier in the day. 

The Toffees announced the loan signing of Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma the following day. Some other moves included Danny Ings joining Southampton from Liverpool on a loan which will become permanent next summer, Jordan Ayew moving to Crystal Palace from Swansea for a season and West Ham signing Arsenal striker Lucas Perez and Fiorentina midfielder Carlos Sanchez.