The Premier League's All-Time 12 Best Signings By Promoted Clubs
- Think Football Ideas
- Jul 10
- 5 min read
When a club is promoted from the Championship to the Premier League, there is usually the feeling of rebirth, a second chance at grandeur, especially if those teams have been long exiled from the roar and relevance of the English top flight.
Their fans dare to dream, and the promoted sides are keen to bolster and not blunder, especially when history tells us that the right signing can mean the difference between a whimpering return or a thunderous statement.
Here Are The Premier League's All-Time 12 Best Signings By Promoted Clubs
12. Esteban Cambiasso [Leicester City – Free Agent (Ex-Inter) – 2014]
When Leicester returned to the Premier League in 2014, few expected them to snag a former UEFA Champions League winner. Esteban Cambiasso arrived with silverware from Italy and swagger from Real Madrid, but it was in the Midlands where he earned cult-hero status.
The Argentine midfielder scored on his Premier League debut, a wild 5-3 comeback against Manchester United on 21 September 2014. By season’s end, he had five goals and numerous midfield masterclasses, helping Leicester pull off a late-season surge that saved them from the drop. That “Great Escape” in 2014/15? Cambiasso was its soul.
11. Morgan Gibbs-White [Nottingham Forest From Wolves – 2022]
It wasn’t just Forest’s return to the Premier League after 23 years that made headlines, it was the price tag on a certain attacking midfielder from Wolves. £25 million rising to £42m raised eyebrows, but Morgan Gibbs-White silenced doubters with flair and purpose.
By 2025, he was Forest’s creative engine, tallying seven goals and eight assists in the 2024/25 season, guiding them to their first European qualification since the mid-'90s. Bold on the ball and braver under pressure, MGW was a quality signing and the club’s rebirth in boots.
10. Hatem Ben Arfa [Newcastle United From Marseille – 2010]
When Newcastle pulled off the loan signing of Hatem Ben Arfa in 2010, the Tyneside faithful didn’t quite know what was coming, but they learned fast. Injuries interrupted, yes, but when fit, Ben Arfa was a livewire.
That solo goal against Bolton in 2012? It was artistry in motion, it was an unforgettable blend of balance, bravery, and bewitching skill. Across four topsy-turvy seasons, Ben Arfa brought magic to St. James' Park, reminding fans that in football, chaos and brilliance often share the same boots.
9. Yakubu Aiyegbeni [Portsmouth From Maccabi Haifa (Loan) – 2003]
Signed on loan in January 2003, Yakubu Aiyegbeni introduced himself to the Premier League with the swagger of a veteran. In Pompey’s debut Premier League season (2003/04), he smashed in 16 league goals, many of them crucial, some of them thunderous.
His final goal of the campaign? A relegation-saving strike, no less. In two seasons, he netted 28 league goals and etched his name into Portsmouth folklore. "The Yak" was strong, clinical and unshakably cool when called upon.
8. Raul Jimenez [Wolves From Benfica (Loan) – 2018]
Few foresaw Raul Jimenez becoming a Premier League heavyweight when Wolves borrowed him from Benfica in 2018. Yet by the season’s end, he was their leading man, 13 goals and seven assists in year one alone.
The Mexican No. 9 combined finesse with ferocity, and his partnership with Diogo Jota was pure fire. Before a horrific head injury in 2020 curtailed his trajectory, Jimenez had turned Wolves from hopefuls to European contenders. That 2018/19 season? It was Jimenez at full throttle, a striker reborn in gold.
7. Christian Eriksen [Brentford – Free Agent – 2022]
Christian Eriksen’s arrival at Brentford in January 2022 was a top signing, which had a story of courage and second chances. Less than a year after collapsing at Euro 2020, he returned to elite football and lit up the Bees' midfield.
In his first 11 league starts, Eriksen created 30 chances, third only to De Bruyne and Ødegaard in that spell. With calm feet and a sharper mind, he steered Brentford to safety with poise and class. Sometimes, the best signings aren’t only tactical, they can be human triumphs.
6. João Palhinha [Fulham From Sporting CP – 2022]
When Fulham returned to the Premier League (again) in 2022, they needed grit, and João Palhinha provided it in spades. Signed from Sporting CP, the Portuguese defensive midfielder immediately stamped his presence.
He topped the Premier League tackle charts in both of his first two seasons and was the steel in Marco Silva’s silk. With 68 appearances and seven goals by mid-2025, Palhinha’s impact went beyond stats , he made Fulham a formidable midfield outfit and helped them to top-half finishes and an EFL Cup semi-final.
5. Raphinha [Leeds United From Rennes – 2020]
Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds were relentless, and Raphinha was the perfect poster boy for their chaos. Signed in October 2020, the Brazilian winger combined samba flair with relentless pressing.
Whether he was twisting defenders inside-out or rifling in screamers, Raphinha lit up Elland Road. He ended his Premier League stint with 17 goals and 12 assists in 65 matches and helped Leeds survive their first two seasons back.
By the time Barcelona came calling in 2022, his place in modern Leeds lore was already sealed.
4. Edwin Van Der Sar [Fulham From Juventus – 2001]
Before he became a Manchester United legend, Edwin van der Sar was Fulham’s statement of intent. Signed in 2001 after four seasons with Juventus, the towering Dutch keeper brought elite pedigree to Craven Cottage.
In his debut season, he kept 15 clean sheets, helping Fulham secure a solid 13th-place finish. His shot-stopping, distribution and sheer presence transformed Fulham into more than mere survivalists. By the time he left for United in 2005, van der Sar had proved that sometimes, relegation battlers can dream bigger.
3. Juninho Paulista [Middlesbrough From Sao Paulo – 1995]
When Middlesbrough pulled Juninho from Sao Paulo in 1995, the Premier League was still figuring out flair. The “Little Fella” introduced a new rhythm to the English game, nimble feet, daring passes, and goals laced with joy.
Though his first spell ended in heartbreak (relegation in 1997), Juninho returned to Boro twice more, eventually lifting the League Cup in 2004. He racked up 29 goals and 18 assists in the top flight, but more than numbers, he brought magic to Teesside, and Boro fans still sing his name.
2. Nicolas Anelka [Manchester City From PSG – 2002]
When Manchester City returned to the Premier League in 2002, they needed firepower, and got it with Nicolas Anelka. The Frenchman arrived from PSG with a reputation for mood swings, but what followed was a masterclass in maturity.
He scored 14 league goals in his debut season, including the final goal at Maine Road and a match-winner against Mourinho’s Chelsea in 2004. Anelka was electric, strong, clinical, and surprisingly consistent. In a team still finding its feet, he gave City an edge and headlines for the right reasons.
1. Alan Shearer [Blackburn Rovers From Southampton – 1992]
£3.6 million in July 1992 made Alan Shearer the most expensive British player, but Blackburn got a bargain. Signed after Rovers’ promotion for the Premier League’s inaugural season, Shearer was a goalscoring machine.
In four seasons, he scored 112 goals in 138 games, won the Golden Boot three times, and led Blackburn to the unlikeliest of titles in 1994/95.
His partnership with Chris Sutton was lethal, his right foot biblical. Alan Shearer is the best signing by a promoted club, and his arrival at Blackburn remains one of the most important transfers in Premier League history. Period.
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