Whenever a new year begins, many people pledge fresh starts and self-improvement. Football clubs are no exception.
The winter transfer window represents a mid-season opportunity for them to recalibrate and inject new life into their squads.
Over the years, players who switched clubs in January have changed the course of campaigns, inspired successful pursuits of silverware, and gone on to write their names into Premier League history.
Here, we look at the best January signings ever.
Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United (2020)
When Bruno Fernandes landed at Old Trafford from Sporting CP in January 2020, Manchester United were struggling. With their midfield depleted by injuries, they had lost at home to Burnley for the first time in 60 years. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men were searching for a spark.
Enter Fernandes.
The Portuguese playmaker wasted no time becoming the heartbeat of the team. In just half a season, he racked up 20 goal contributions (12 goals, 8 assists) and propelled Man Utd to a third-place finish and two cup semi-finals.
His immediate impact earned him the club’s Player of the Year award, even though he had only arrived midway through the campaign.
Fast forward to 2025 and Fernandes remains a talismanic figure, wearing the captain’s armband and boasting a staggering 85 goals and 77 assists in 261 matches across all competitions.
Gary Cahill – Chelsea (2012)
Gary Cahill’s move from Bolton to Chelsea in January 2012 was not the most glamorous signing of the Roman Abramovich era but hindsight reveals it as one of the most important.
The centre-back added stability to the Blues' defence with his crowning moment coming in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final, where his heroic performance helped Roberto Di Matteo's side defy the odds to beat Bayern Munich on their own turf.
Cahill would go on to also win two Premier League titles, two Europa Leagues, and a slew of domestic cups, as he became a cornerstone of Chelsea’s most successful decade.
Luis Suarez – Liverpool (2011)
When Fernando Torres left Liverpool for Chelsea in January 2011, Reds fans feared for their attacking future. Their concerns needn’t have lasted long as Luis Suarez, signed from Ajax, was about to become one of the most unplayable forwards the Premier League had ever seen.
Across his three-and-a-half seasons at Anfield, Suarez scored 82 goals and provided 31 assists in 133 appearances, dazzling with his unpredictability, flair and sheer audacity.
His 2013/14 campaign is regarded as one of the best individual seasons ever, as he netted 31 Premier League goals to power Brendan Rogers’ side into the runners-up spot as Liverpool missed out on the title by just two points.
In addition to winning the Golden Boot that year, the Uruguay international was named the Premier League Player of the Season, PFA Fans’ Player of the Year, PFA Players’ Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year.
Controversy sometimes followed Suarez, but his talent was undeniable.
Andrew Cole – Manchester United (1995)
Before transfer windows were formalised, Man Utd shook the footballing world in January 1995 by signing Andrew Cole from Newcastle United for a then-British record fee.
While Newcastle fans reeled from the shock of losing their top scorer to a rival, Cole continued to score goals, including five as Man Utd beat Ipswich Town 9-0 in early March.
Across his seven years at United, Cole netted 121 times, forming a deadly partnership with Dwight Yorke. His contributions helped to drive the Red Devils to five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and the historic 1999 Champions League triumph.
Cole finished his career with 187 Premier League goals, the fourth-highest tally of all time, cementing his status as a legend.
Nemanja Vidic – Manchester United (2006)
Signed from Spartak Moscow in a deal that was pre-announced on Christmas Day, Vidic quickly established himself as the backbone of Man Utd's defence.
Revered for his no-nonsense approach, the Serbian centre-back joined forces with Rio Ferdinand to create one of the most formidable defensive partnerships in Premier League history.
In his first few months at the club, Vidic helped United lift the League Cup. By the time he left in 2014, he had also collected five Premier League titles, a Champions League, and two more League Cups.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Arsenal (2018)
When Arsenal splashed out on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, they were desperate for goals. The Gabonese striker didn’t disappoint.
Aubameyang hit the ground running, scoring 10 league goals in just 13 appearances during his debut half-season. In 2018/19, he shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, as the trio finished the campaign on 22 goals apiece.
The following year, Aubameyang matched that tally and led Arsenal to FA Cup glory, delivering decisive braces against Manchester City and Chelsea.
Jermain Defoe – Tottenham Hotspur (2004)
At just 21, Jermain Defoe was already a proven Premier League goalscorer but his move from West Ham United to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2004 was career-defining.
Over two spells at Spurs (2004-2008, 2009-2014), Defoe scored 143 goals. In 2008, he helped them to win the League Cup which, 17 years later, remains their last piece of silverware.
A natural and lethal finisher, Defoe’s instinctive play made him a nightmare for defenders and a hero for Spurs fans.
Philippe Coutinho – Liverpool (2013)
Signed from Inter Milan, Philippe Coutinho proved to be an ingenious acquisition for Liverpool.
Dubbed “The Magician” by fans, Coutinho impressed at Anfield with his vision, range of passing, and knack for scoring spectacular long-range strikes.
The Brazilian tallied 54 goals and 45 assists in 201 games, as he became the creative heartbeat of the team.
While his departure to Barcelona in 2018 was bittersweet, the funds Liverpool received helped to secure key players like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson, laying the groundwork for their later success.
Edin Dzeko – Manchester City (2011)
Before Sergio Aguero, there was Edin Dzeko.
Signed from Wolfsburg in January 2011, the Bosnian striker provided crucial goals in City’s early trophy-winning years.
His most famous moment came in the 2011/12 title decider against QPR, when his late equaliser set the stage for Aguero’s iconic winner.
Dzeko’s 72 goals and countless clutch performances earned him two Premier League titles and a place in City’s history books.
Patrice Evra - Manchester United (2006)
Signed just days after his fellow defender Vidic, Patrice Evra endured a rough start to life with Man Utd.
Hooked at half-time on his debut in the Manchester derby, by a frustrated Sir Alex Ferguson, many questioned the Frenchman's suitability for the Premier League.
But Evra was made of sterner stuff.
He soon nailed down the left-back spot and over eight years at Old Trafford, won five Premier League titles and a Champions League, establishing himself as one of the league’s finest full-backs.
Branislav Ivanovic - Chelsea (2008)
When Chelsea signed Branislav Ivanovic in January 2008, not many would have predicted what he would bring to their backline.
At first glance, the lumbering Serbian appeared to be a strait-laced, no-nonsense defender but Ivanovic was a dynamic all-rounder who embodied the evolution of the modern full-back.
Combining old-school defending with a knack for attacking contributions, his ability to pop up with crucial goals made him invaluable. None were more vital than his dramatic stoppage-time header to win the 2013 Europa League final.
During his nine years in West London, Ivanovic made 377 appearances and won it all - three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, a League Cup, the Champions League, and the Europa League. He is regarded as one of the best right-backs in Premier League history.
Virgil van Dijk – Liverpool (2018)
Liverpool were criticised at the time for his £75 million price tag, but Virgil van Dijk silenced all doubters within weeks of his debut.
The Dutch centre-back transformed Jurgen Klopp’s fragile defence into one of Europe’s best.
Van Dijk was instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 and their first English league title for 30 years the following season.
Not only that, Van Dijk’s dominance has redefined the standards for centre-backs in the modern game.
Honourable mentions
Seamus Coleman - Everton (2009): A £60,000 signing from Sligo Rovers, Coleman might just be the best pound-for-pound January signing in Premier League history. Over 15 years, the right-back has made 367 Premier League appearances for Everton and is a model of consistency and professionalism.
Mikel Arteta - Arsenal (2011): The Spaniard became a stabilising influence in a transitional Arsenal team, bringing intelligence and composure to the Gunners' midfield. Arteta, of course, now manages the club and has overseen their most successful period in recent years.
Nemanja Matic - Chelsea (2014:) Returning to Stamford Bridge after a season with Vitesse Arnhem, Matic became the midfield anchor of Jose Mourinho’s title-winning side in 2014/15. His positional awareness and composure on the ball were crucial to the team's success.
Luis Diaz - Liverpool (2022): Signed in January 2022, Colombian winger Diaz’s electrifying pace and trickery revitalised Liverpool’s attack, helping them compete on four fronts in his debut half-season.
Bruno Guimaraes - Newcastle (2022): The Brazilian instantly elevated Newcastle’s midfield with his creativity and vision, playing a key role in the Magpies’ upturn in form in the 2021/22 season as he propelled them out of the relegation zone to an 11th-place finish. The following year, Eddie Howe's men earned themselves a spot in the Champions League, with Guimaraes at the heart of the action.
Kieran Trippier - Newcastle (2022): The Magpies' first signing under new ownership, Trippier brought experience, leadership and set-piece mastery.
