Premier League: Best January loan signings in history

• The Premier League financial strings have tightened during the January transfer window.
• Loans may frequently be a cost-effective way to reinforce.
• We look at some of the best January loan signings in Premier League history.

The Premier League financial strings have tightened during the January transfer window, with the division’s Profit and Sustainability criteria resulting in less business than normal.

Loans may frequently be a cost-effective way to reinforce, and the January transfer window has a track record of successful short-term deals.

We look at some of the best January loan signings in Premier League history.

Mikel Arteta (Everton)

Mikel Arteta. Photo/ Eurosport

In January 2005, Mikel Arteta’s career was at a standstill until Everton approached. After spending brief stints at Rangers and Paris Saint-Germain, the Spanish midfielder returned to his hometown club Real Sociedad but failed to make an impression.

In David Moyes’ midfield, Arteta replaced the Dane’s graft with skill when Thomas Gravesen, who was heading to Real Madrid, was substituted. His contributions enabled Everton to qualify for the Champions League and finish in the top four before he signed a permanent £2 million contract with the Toffees.

The midfield player won both the Players’ and Everton’s Player of the Season titles in his first full season. He went on to win the former title in the following season, 2006–07.

Before moving to Arsenal in 2011 for a £10 million fee, Arteta played for the club for six prosperous seasons on the Merseyside, totaling 209 appearances in all competitions.

Christophe Dugarry (Birmingham)

In the 2002–03 season, as Birmingham City fought to avoid Premier League relegation, the Blues needed motivation.

In January, Steve Bruce gambled on Christophe Dugarry, agreeing to a loan agreement to bring the World Cup champion to St Andrew’s. After a lackluster second stint at Bordeaux, Dugarry had looked worn out, but the seasoned attacker gave Birmingham’s struggle for survival a refined touch.

The Frenchman came alive during the final stretch, scoring five goals in four games that resulted in wins, as Birmingham stormed out of the relegation zone after needing a few games to settle.

Despite having trouble with injuries in his second season before departing for Qatar SC, he signed a permanent contract in the summer. But his part in the club’s escape is still remembered, since Dugarry is a well-liked figure in the Midlands.

Tomas Soucek (West Ham)

Tomas Soucek. Photo/ West Ham

During the January 2020 transfer window, Tomas Soucek was a relative unknown when he joined the Premier League.

David Moyes and West Ham made a great discovery in the feisty Czech, Soucek, who had all the makings of a Moyes midfielder. Tall, rangy, goal-threatening, and hardworking, he scored three goals in 13 games to convince West Ham to pay £19 million for a permanent contract.

After scoring 10 goals in the Premier League in his debut season with the East Londoners, Soucek was named West Ham United Player of the Year.

Since then, he has made 183 appearances for the Irons in all competitions, and in 2023, he and the team won the Europa Conference League.

Jesse Lingard (West Ham)

The next year, West Ham pulled off the same ruse by signing Jesse Lingard on loan from Manchester United.

Despite not playing in any league games for Manchester United throughout the first half of the season, Lingard made an immediate impression on his West Ham debut against Aston Villa, scoring two goals.

The England international scored without stopping after that. In 16 games with the Hammers, he netted nine goals and contributed five assists, leading West Ham to a top-six finish and Europa League qualifying.

The two teams were unable to come to a permanent transfer deal, even though his loan move was successful. Since leaving Nottingham Forest last summer, Lingard’s career has stagnated, and he is presently a free agent.

Robert Huth (Leicester)

Robert Huth. Photo/ SPORTbible

To strengthen their squad and avoid relegation in 2014–15, Leicester signed out-of-favor Stoke center-back Robert Huth on a loan.

Despite having trouble getting into the game at the Potters, the German quickly established himself at the center of Leicester’s defense. Huth played a pivotal role in Leicester’s incredible comeback under Nigel Pearson, as the team won seven of their final nine games to survive after finishing last in the Premier League standings at Christmas.

During that stretch, they only lost once, against Chelsea, without Huth in the lineup. Huth was a member of the Foxes squad that produced one of the biggest upsets in sports history the following season after deciding to make the transfer permanent. The club won the Premier League.