Last month, Leeds United secured the sole addition of Mateo Joseph from Spanish side Espanyol for the club's U23 side.
While on the whole, it was to be an underwhelming window with no senior additions, Leeds supporters can be reassured by the fact Victor Orta and his team of scouts have not exactly closed shop.
As is the case every season under Orta's stewardship, Leeds have identified and pursued several U23 targets throughout the calendar year, not simply during periods when transfers can be completed.
Orta's trusted friend and colleague Gaby Ruiz - currently head of European scouting at Leeds United - is often spotted at U23 fixtures, keen to take in what the development side, and their opposition, has to offer.
The club are known to scour youth divisions in this country, as well as abroad, searching for players whose contract situations may make them appealing to Leeds.
Lewis Bate was a prime example last summer; the ex-Chelsea youngster had 12 months remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge where a pathway to regular first-team action was not forthcoming.
Leeds swooped and following a brief bedding-in period, have blooded the youngster in the first-team on a handful of occasions.
Amari Miller is another player signed for the U23 side last summer. He joined from Birmingham City, despite the opportunity to continue as a bit-part first-team player at St. Andrew's Stadium, where he had made a couple of Championship appearances.
Leeds had the Miller deal tied up prior to July 1st when the transfer window officially opened, meaning that was an agreement which had been in the works for some time.
On signing, Miller stated: "The minute I heard Leeds United were interested, I knew what a massive club it was and it was too big to turn down. My family, friends and everyone who knew about it have just been brilliant.
“As soon as I spoke to Victor Orta and the club, I said to my agent that this was the one," he added.
Leeds U23s' lead development coach Mark Jackson has said on various occasions the scouting work is an ongoing process, which is carried out during the calendar year.
Following the signing of Mateo Joseph earlier this year, he said: "The work that's gone in from the recruitment team has always been extensive. Victor [Orta] and his team of staff there have been looking into it.
"Obviously the coaching staff in the summer, we were aware of the player, had footage of him and [we] looked at him [with] the first-team staff, as well as the 23s staff. To finally get it over the line, obviously it will be pleasing for those staff who've put that work in."
Jackson's admission that the U23s staff were watching clips of the player as far back as the summer indicates the foundations of such deals are put in place several months in advance.
Given Marcelo Bielsa heralded the approach which has brought Pascal Struijk, Joe Gelhardt and Leo Hjelde to the club last month, crediting 'father of the idea' Victor Orta with the various successes, it is probable Orta has had the green light to plot similar moves this summer.
