2009: Joe Hart joins Birmingham on loan
After losing his place as Manchester City’s No 1 to Shay Given, Joe Hart moved to Birmingham City on a season-long loan.
The 22-year-old, who had made 50 Premier League appearances in three previous seasons for Man City, enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Birmingham.
He played 36 times as the Blues earned a club-record ninth-place finish in 2009/10, and was voted in to the Professional Footballers’ Association Team of the Year by his peers.
As a result, Hart was part of England’s 2010 FIFA World Cup squad and emerged as Man City’s first-choice goalkeeper, winning the PL title in 2011/12 and 2013/14.
2015: Liverpool sign Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino agreed to leave Hoffenheim and sign a long-term contract with Liverpool.
The Brazilian forward, who had scored 47 goals in four-and-a-half seasons with the German club, scored 10 goals and provided seven assists as he led the Reds’ attack in his debut Premier League campaign.
He went on to surpass that goals total in each of his next two seasons, taking his tally to 34 in the PL as Liverpool finished fourth in both 2016/17 and 2017/18.
He also helped the Reds reach the League Cup, UEFA Europa League and Champions League finals in his first three seasons at Anfield.
