Why can't I sign players soon to be out of contract?

[Toxteth O'Grady]

In League One, got promoted early so went to try and sign some players on my shortlist who's contracts were due to expire in two months time, but unable to do so? They were playing in the football league, two were on loan but American clubs snapped them up on free transfers. I had a player on loan with me and again I was unable to sign him. All were under 23 .

As I was trawling through other potential out of contract  signings and I was able to !Approach to sign"

Any suggestions? 

[warlock]

You can only sign players within England in the final month of their contract. Clubs outside England can sign them in the last 6 months. It doesn't help much in L1/L2, but you can do the same (within last 6 months) for players outside England - Scotland can be a useful recruiting area if you can scout there.