Over 100 transfers involving English and Scottish clubs took place on transfer deadline day. While many of them are loans, their importance is just the same as teams across the country look to bolster their squads heading into the final stretch of the season.
The Football League has also seen a vast amount of talent being traded amongst its teams. Newport County and Wigan Athletic have been the busiest clubs overall, both making 11 signings. These, though, are the top five of the transfers from across the Football League.
Eoin Doyle
After a promising start to his career in Ireland, Chesterfield signed striker Eoin Doyle in 2013. His goal-scoring talent game to prominence immediately. The forward scored 13 goals in his debut season, and continued this form into the first part of the next season.
On deadline day two years ago, he made the move to Cardiff City. Despite being a regular in their squad, Doyle joined Preston North End on loan, before signing permanently for the 2015/16 season.
Since then, Doyle has made just 21 appearances for Preston, scoring five goals. This has resulted in his next move; a loan switch to League Two Portsmouth.
While dropping down two divisions may not seem a good move for the player, it’s certainly good news for Portsmouth. The former Premier League side are currently sixth in League Two. A player with as much goal-scoring talent as Doyle could help them to kick on from that position and mount a charge for automatic promotion.
Glenn Murray
Glenn Murray made his loan move from Bournemouth to Brighton permanent. The 33-year-old has been on loan at the Seagulls since the start of the season. He has also been one of the Championship’s more prolific forwards, scoring 15 goals in 28 games this term.
The move extends his second stint with Brighton, after having played for them between 2008 and 2011. In this time, he scored 56 goals for the club. He then moved on a free transfer to Crystal Palace.
Brighton’s form this season sees them top the Championship. Murray has been an integral part of this. The permanence of this move could help them continue their push for Premier League promotion.
Matty Taylor
While he may not be the most high-profile of players, this is a move that certainly will have turned heads in Bristol. Matty Taylor became the first player to move from Bristol Rovers to Bristol City since Trevor Morgan did in January 1987.
Bristol Rovers fans will be feeling hurt that he left for their local rivals. City fans, however, should be happy with the quality they have signed. The 26-year-old has 19 goals already this season, and scored 61 in total for Rovers. He also had a stint at National League side Forest Green Rovers, where he scored 22 times in 96 games.
Perhaps the most astounding statistic of Taylor’s career is one from his youth. During a spell at North Leigh between 2009 and 2011, Taylor amassed 92 appearances. In these games, he totalled 80 goals. If he can bring himself to anywhere near this form, City will comfortably survive relegation.
Neil Taylor
Perhaps the most surprising transfer on this list is that of Neil Taylor. The Welsh left-back, part of Chris Coleman’s heroic Euro 2016 squad, has joined Aston Villa in a deal worth £5 million plus Villa striker Jordan Ayew. The swap sees the Ghana international sign a three-and-a-half year deal with the Swans.
Taylor’s Premier League and international experience will be a huge boost to Villa. The struggled initially following their relegation. However, since the arrival of Steve Bruce as manager, things have slowly started to change. Taylor’s arrival can only quicken this revival.
Yanic Wildschut
One deal Wigan fans will not be happy with is the loss of Yanic Wildschut. The 25-year-old Dutch winger has joined Norwich for a fee of £7 million.
He managed to help Wigan to the League One title last season, contributing five goals in 21 games. Since signing permanently for the club last year, Wildschut has gone on the score a further nine goals.
He became one of Wigan’s key players in his time there, but is likely to have irked a lot of fans with his departure. The forward officially handed in a transfer request on Monday, with Wigan eventually but reluctantly accepting it.
Though he may not be the highest of goal-scorers, his contributions are certainly not worthless. This move could prove beneficial to both his career and Norwich’s season.
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