Transfer news: The best Premier League January signings you forgot about
Over the years, Premier League clubs have collectively made thousands of signings in January.
From competing for the Champions League places to battling relegation to the Championship, sometimes a fresh face can help turn a season around.
With the Premier League now in its 32nd iteration, it’s easy to forget some of the best January deals in the competition’s history.
Well, Transfer News Blitz’s writer, Edward Moss, has searched far and wide to compile a list of the best January transfers you might have forgotten about.
Nicolas Anelka, Bolton to Chelsea
One of the great journeymen of European football, Nicolas Anelka, joined Chelsea for £15million from Bolton Wanderers in 2008.
The Frenchman spent four years with the Blues, scoring 59 goals in all competitions, forming a deadly partnership with Didier Drogba.
The striker won two FA Cups, a Premier League and a Community Shield during his stint in West London, making him a very shrewd signing.
Edin Džeko, Wolfsburg to Manchester City
After helping Wolfsburg win their first Bundesliga title and scoring 66 goals for the club, Edin Džeko moved to Man City for £27million in 2011.
The Bosnian joined City at the start of their United Arab Emirates revolution and was a huge success in England.
Winning the FA Cup in his first season, Džeko played a huge part in Man City’s famous Premier League title win in 2012, although he was overshadowed by a certain Sergio Agüeroooooooooo…
Amazingly, the 38-year-old is still going strong in his football career, leading the line for Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe.
Andrey Arshavin, Zenit Saint Petersburg to Arsenal
When you think of cult heroes, there aren’t many better than Andrey Arshavin at Arsenal.
Whether it was his four goals at Anfield or that winner against Barcelona, the Russian trickster cemented himself into North London folklore.
Joining the Gunners in January 2009, Arshavin made 144 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions.
Despite his form and appearances trailing off at the end of his time in England, Arshavin will always be fondly remembered by the Arsenal faithful.
John Stones, Barnsley to Everton
In 269 appearances, John Stones has won everything there is to win at Manchester City – not bad for a boy from Barnsley.
Before making his move to City, Stones plied his trade at Everton, who picked up the defender for just £3million in January 2013 from the Tykes.
The Toffees made a tidy profit on Stones, selling him to Pep Guardiola’s side for £47.5million.
It’s safe to say that Everton’s decision to bring the Yorkshireman to Goodison Park was a good one.
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Martin Škirtl, Zenit Saint Petersburg to Liverpool
A true ‘Barclaysman’, Martin Škirtl arrived in Merseyside from Zenit Saint Petersburg for £6.5million in January 2008.
The bald-headed Slovakian made 320 appearances for Liverpool, forming an iconic partnership with Daniel Agger.
The central defender won a League Cup during his time with the Reds before departing for Fenerbahçe after eight years with the club.
Sol Campbell, Unattached to Arsenal
Sol Campbell’s infamous move across North London from Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal is one of the most controversial transfers of all time, but did you know the defender actually joined the Gunners twice?
After bizarrely signing a five-year deal with League Two side Notts County in 2009, the legendary centre-half left the club after playing just one match – a 2-1 loss to Morecambe.
The England international trained with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal after leaving the Magpies before signing a short-term deal with the North Londoners for the remainder of the season, making 13 appearances.
Whilst this is obviously not one of the greatest signings of all time, it has to be included for the lore…
Brede Hangeland, Copenhagen to Fulham
Moving on from one certified Premier League legend to another, Brede Hangeland was a rock at the back during his six years at Fulham.
The big Norwegian-American signed for the Cottagers for £2.5million in January 2008 from Copenhagen – an absolute steal as the six-foot-six-inch defender went on to play for Fulham 272 times.
The centre-half was also part of the Fulham squad that went on that insane run to the Europa League final in 2010, famously knocking out Juventus along the way.
Rory Delap, Sunderland to Stoke City
Rory Delap probably still keeps Wenger and Tony Pulis awake at night – for two very different reasons…
The midfielder terrified every Premier League goalkeeper with his infamous long throw and practically invented a cold and rainy night in Stoke.
Delap joined the Potters for FREE – yes, free - in January 2007, after initially joining the club on loan from Sunderland.
They don’t make them like Delap anymore – ignoring the fact his son, Liam, is currently banging in goals for Ipswich Town this season in the Premier League.
Follow all the latest January window rumours and deals with Transfer News Blitz, and follow us on BlueSky as we continue to tell it like it is when it comes to transfer talk.
