signing

The word “signing” means the act of formally agreeing to a contract, especially for a sports player or performer. In plain terms, the act of putting a signature on a contract, or the person/event connected with that act.

“Signing” is pronounced SEYE-nihng (/ˈsaɪnɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “signing” used in a sentence: “The club celebrated the signing of their new star forward.”

“Signing” is a noun.

“Signing” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Signing” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of formally agreeing to a contract, especially for a sports player or performer.

In sport, a signing is the act of a player formally agreeing to a contract with a club, or the player themselves once recruited. A "new signing" is a player who has just joined the team. The word captures both the moment of committing and the person brought on board.

A signing refers to the act of a player agreeing to and putting pen to a contract with a club. A transfer is the broader move of a player from one club to another, including the negotiation and fee. A transfer often culminates in a signing, but the terms emphasise different stages.

Yes. Beyond sport and entertainment contracts, "signing" can mean the act of writing your signature on any document, an author's book-signing event, or communicating in sign language. This definition focuses on the contractual sense used for athletes and performers formally committing to a club or deal.