Throughout the history of the Premier League, certain signings have transformed clubs and led them to glory.
Here, we celebrate some of the most impactful transfers that have left an indelible mark on English football.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Sporting CP to Manchester United, 2003)
Cristiano Ronaldo burst onto the scene at Manchester United after joining from Sporting Lisbon at just 18 years old.
His arrival marked the beginning of an illustrious career that would see him become one of the greatest players in football history.
During his six years at United, Ronaldo scored 84 goals in 157 appearances, clinched three Premier League titles, and lifted the Champions League trophy in 2008.
He was also named Premier League Player of the Year twice and won the Ballon d’Or in 2008.
Thierry Henry (Juventus to Arsenal, 1999)
Regarded as one of the greatest players in Premier League history, Thierry Henry was a force to be reckoned with during his time at Arsenal.
From 2001 to 2006, he consistently scored over 20 goals per season and played a crucial role in Arsenal’s unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ campaign in 2003/04.
With 175 goals in 258 appearances, Henry won the Premier League Golden Boot four times and is remembered as a key figure in Arsenal’s history.
Didier Drogba (Marseille to Chelsea, 2004)
Didier Drogba became a legendary figure at Chelsea, known for his knack for scoring crucial goals in important matches.
He helped Chelsea secure consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, contributing significantly with 12 goals and 15 assists during the 2005/06 season.
Drogba’s standout performance came in the 2009/10 season, where he netted 29 goals to lead Chelsea to their third league title.
Wayne Rooney (Everton to Manchester United, 2004)
Wayne Rooney made headlines when he transferred from Everton to Manchester United as a teenager.
Over his 13-year career at Old Trafford, he became a club legend, scoring a record 183 Premier League goals and winning five league titles.
Rooney was named Premier League Player of the Season in 2010 and played a pivotal role in United’s dominance during his tenure.
Frank Lampard (West Ham to Chelsea, 2001)
Frank Lampard’s move from West Ham to Chelsea marked the beginning of an extraordinary career for one of football’s finest midfielders.
Over his 13 years at Stamford Bridge, Lampard won three Premier League titles and became Chelsea’s all-time leading scorer with 177 goals, making him the highest-scoring midfielder in Premier League history.
Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid to Manchester City, 2011)
Sergio Agüero is one of the most prolific strikers in Premier League history, scoring 184 goals for Manchester City—the highest by any overseas player.
His memorable last-minute goal against QPR in 2012 secured City’s first league title in 44 years.
Agüero won five Premier League titles and was awarded the Golden Boot for his outstanding performances.
Kevin De Bruyne (Wolfsburg to Manchester City, 2015)
After an unsuccessful stint at Chelsea, Kevin De Bruyne returned to the Premier League with Manchester City and quickly established himself as a league icon.
A six-time Premier League champion, De Bruyne has won two Player of the Season awards and is known for his incredible vision and playmaking ability, amassing 114 assists, making him one of the league’s all-time greats.
Mohamed Salah (Roma to Liverpool, 2017)
Since joining Liverpool from Roma, Mohamed Salah has become one of the most formidable forwards in Premier League history.
With 170 goals in 277 appearances, he has won three Golden Boot awards and played a key role in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign in 2020.
Salah continues to be a vital player for Liverpool as he consistently delivers impressive performances.
Eden Hazard (Lille to Chelsea, 2012)
Eden Hazard dazzled fans during his time at Chelsea with his exceptional skill and creativity.
The Belgian winger scored 85 goals over 245 Premier League games, helping Chelsea secure two league titles.
Hazard was named Player of the Season in 2015 and is remembered as one of the most electrifying talents in recent Premier League history.
Patrick Vieira (Inter Milan to Arsenal, 1996)
Patrick Vieira’s signing was pivotal for Arsenal as they sought to compete with Manchester United during the late ’90s.
The French midfielder helped lead Arsenal to three league titles over nine seasons, including their unbeaten run during the ‘Invincibles’ season.
Vieira combined strength with technical ability, becoming one of the most influential midfielders of his era.
The impact these players have had on their clubs and the Premier League as a whole cannot be overstated.
From record-breaking goal scorers to midfield maestros, these signings have shaped footballing history and will be remembered as some of the greatest transfers ever made in English football.
Source: Sports Unlimited News
