The 2016 winter transfer window as of February 1, midnight, was set to a close bringing a wrap to the most surprising deals from around all of the 20 Premier League clubs. English soccer continues to attract new faces from around the world and during the month of January, a crucial time of the season for many, a new player with talent can bring managers a sense of hope for a new team mentality or add more depth to the squad to possibly improve position in the league table. The window is set to reopen as planned during the summer at the end of the season, as it is every year. These are the top three January transfers of 2016.
At number three comes Jonjo Shelvey of Swansea City to Newcastle United for a five year deal at St. James’ Park. Shelvey is a 23 year old English midfielder with Premier League experience having played for previous clubs Liverpool and Swansea City, with an additional six International caps for the English National Team. Shelvey began his professional career at Charlton Athletic at the age of just 16 and has been linked around his career to many of Europe’s higher tier clubs. Shelvey’s price has not been pinpointed but according to many respectable outlets he is believed to be worth around 5 million pounds. “I’m very excited to be here. I’m so glad that it’s finally done,” said Shelvey who looks to help Newcastle’s current plot at 16th place in the table.
The second spot goes to Seydou Doumbia of AS Roma to Newcastle United for a loan spell of 6.5 million pounds. The 28 year old Ivory Coast International is the second of two great signings for the Geordies which comes in the form of a Striker with loads of experience having played for some of Europe’s top clubs. At former clubs CSKA Moskow in the Russian League and AS Roma of Italy’s Serie A, Doumbia netted a combined total of 68 goals in 121 appearances and won multiple trophies in the Russian League including two League Titles, two Russian Cups, two Super Cups, as well as starts in the Champions League. Doumbia looks to rebound in England after a short season in Italy with no guaranteed playing time under the top club.
Finally, in the number one spot comes Charlie Austin of Queen’s Park Rangers to Southampton FC for a four and a half year deal worth 7 million pounds. The 26 year old Striker was at one point the most sought after target among clubs after the 2014-15 season where he scored 18 goals for relegated side QPR. But with talk came surprise as he was not signed and dropped down into England’s Second Division, The Football Championship, and had to face teams with much less experience than the proven striker. Austin scored 45 games for the club in his 82 game span and finally got a deserved move to the Premier League under aspiring seventh placed side Southampton. In Austin’s first appearance for the club facing English giants Manchester United, he came on as a substitute in the dying minutes of the game to score a last minute winning header to put the game away at 1-0. “For anybody to come to United and be part of a winning team is great. But for me to score on my debut and come away with the three points is even better,” said Austin after his performance with his first goal in the Premier League since being relegated.
