The Premier League had previously voted to shut its transfer window on August 9th, two days before the start of the new season. The window opens on June 9th - a date set by Fifa - giving clubs two months to complete their business. The EFL has elected to do the same, meaning that all four professional leagues in England will be synchronised.
The changes have been made after a number of players went 'on strike' as they pursued a move away from their clubs, missing the opening games of the season. Players on that list include Alexis Sanchez, Virjil van Dijk and Philippe Coutinho.
The other big European leagues are expected to keep their deadlines at August 31st - again prescribed by FIFA. This potentially means that situations such as that with Countinho, where he pushed for a move to Barcelona, could still occur. However, Premier League clubs will be closed for business and any team looking to pry away a star player after August 9th would have to pay a premium.
The vote to change the dates was not a unanimous decision amongst Premier League clubs. 'Sky Sources' has said that 14 clubs voted in favour, the two thirds majority required, with five against and one abstention.
"There was a big concern that the Premier League has been playing two or three match rounds with a degree of uncertainty between themselves," Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore told 'Sky Sports News'.
"It wasn't unanimous but nobody was pathologically angry about the situation. But there were some concerns by some clubs that, although they wouldn't be able to buy any more players, their players could still be picked off by those who haven't closed their windows. It just meant they couldn't support it.
"The clubs just think it's wrong that, going into the first game of the season, they could be playing against a player that, a few weeks later, could be playing for a different club."
The EFL's Chief Executive, Shaun Harvey, said: "After discussing the options throughout the course of the last few months, I'm pleased that the matter has been determined by Clubs ahead of the start of next season.
"This new approach will give Clubs and managers the stability they crave earlier in the season whilst also providing the flexibility to add to their squads after the traditional deadline until the end of month if required."
The loan window will remain open until August 31st.
22 February 2018