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With the winter transfer window almost upon us, LaLiga fans around the world are preparing to keep a close watch on all the activity about to unleash in the next month. Every January, the start of the year promises new beginnings for quite a few talents around the world, who head out with hopes and dreams to make their mark in one of the biggest leagues of Europe.
However, not every one of them manages to survive, flourish and excel after their transfer to Spain.
Also Read: 5 all time most successful January transfer signings in the Premier League
LaLiga has showcased many brilliant footballers to the world since the inception of the league. Today, we present to you the top four most successful January transfer signings in the LaLiga.
Some stellar names have been on the move in the LaLiga in the month of January, but who is the most successful among them all?
Read on to find out more.
#4 Dani Alves (Bahia to Sevilla)
The player with the most trophy wins to his name had a pretty simple childhood. His father was a farmer who had a passion for the beautiful game. Just like most kids in the country, Dani Alves discovered his love for football by playing with the neighbourhood kids in the streets of Brazil.
But he wasn’t just any other kid, it was soon pretty clear that he had the talent to make it to the next level. His father was his first mentor and Alves started out playing as a winger for his father’s local team. Because he could not score enough goals, Alves senior repositioned his son to the right-back position. It turned out to be the best decision of his life because that little boy would go on to become one of the best right-backs in the world.
The Brazilian rose through the ranks fast, impressing one and all with his abilities on the ball. Alves broke into the Esporte Clube Bahia team and played the first game of his long and illustrious professional career in 2001.
He went on to become an integral member of the first team and soon came to the attention of scouts from European clubs. It was Sevilla who managed to get his signature, with the Brazilian joining the LaLiga side in January of 2002, initially on loan. Alves carried his impressive run of form to Spain and hit the ground running for Sevilla. He was so effective that in the summer, the Spanish side had tied him down to a permanent deal.
Alves went on to make 250 appearances for Sevilla, even scoring 16 goals. He spent five and a half successful seasons with the LaLiga side, winning two UEFA Cups, one UEFA Super Cup, one Supercopa de Espana, and one Copa del Rey title.
The Brazilian joined Barcelona in the summer of 2008 and went on to achieve even greater heights over a period of eight years. After brief stints with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, Alves is back in Brazil and is currently playing for Sao Paulo.
Also check out: La Liga La Liga fixtures La liga table 2019-20
#3 Ivan Rakitic (Schalke 04 to Sevilla)
The Croatian started his football career with Basel in the Swiss Super League, making his debut for the club in the 2005/06 season. Ivan Rakitic stayed on the fringes of the first team during his first season but established himself as a regular in the following year. In the summer of 2007, he attracted genuine interest from all around Europe but made the move to Schalke 04.
By then, it was clear that the Croatian had the ability to control the play from the centre of the park like a pro. He soon made a name for himself in Germany, dictating the midfield for his team, and also contributing in front of goal.
Midway through the 2010/11 season, Sevilla came calling and Rakitic joined the LaLiga side in January 2011. It was here that he developed into one of the most talented midfielders of his generation. The Croatian continued to deliver in the middle of the park, raking in goals and assists and regularly creating chances for his team. In the 2013/14 season, he was handed over the armband, and Rakitic went on to inspire his team to the UEFA Europa League trophy.
He ended the season with 15 goals and 17 assists from 52 games in all competitions, ensuring that people spoke of him in the same breath as Andres Iniesta. By then, Barcelona had realized his potential and in the summer of 2014, Rakitic joined the Catalans. At the Camp Nou, he has won almost every trophy possible and continues to be an integral part of the team.
#2 Gonzalo Higuain (River Plate to Real Madrid)
The Argentine came on the radar of Real Madrid while playing for River Plate. He was already earmarked as the future star during his time with the club when the Spanish giants began monitoring him. Gonzalo Higuain certainly knew his way to goal and managed to make a name for himself in a strong River Plate team.
By the end of 2006, Real Madrid had stepped up in their pursuit of the Argentine and he made the move to the Bernabeu in January of 2007. However, the pressure of playing in an entirely new country took a toll on his performances and he fared poorly at the start.
After moving in and out of the team in the following season, Higuain finally had an opportunity to stake a claim for a first team spot in the 2008/09 season. The Argentine rose to the occasion, ending the season with 24 goals from 44 games. From then on, Higuain was on the rise and continued to perform admirably for Real.
Higuain finally moved on from the Santiago Bernabeu in the summer of 2013, and by then he had won three LaLiga trophies, one Copa del Rey and two Supercopa de Espana trophies. Higuain has since enjoyed successful stints with Napoli, Juventus, and Chelsea, and is now back at Turin with the Old Lady.
#1 Marcelo (Fluminense to Real Madrid)
The Brazilian is undoubtedly one of the best left-backs of his generation and is a fan-favourite at his current club Real Madrid. However, Marcelo endured tremendous hardships in his early years to finally arrive at the pinnacle of success.
The left-back endured financial difficulties while growing up and under the pressures of earning a living, was very close to quitting football. However, his grandfather supported him and inspired him to stay true to his love for the beautiful game.
Marcelo started out as a futsal player, which explains his wide array of skills but made the successful transition to football at Brazilian side Fluminense. He was a massive success at the club, which earned him a move to LaLiga giants Real Madrid. In January 2007, the Brazilian joined Los Blancos and the rest, as they say, is history.
His passion for the game and determination to win helped him hit it off with the fans instantly, but Marcelo was also a technically gifted full-back of the highest quality. He took some time to take off, but once he did, the sky was the limit.
The Brazilian still remains an indispensable member of the Real Madrid team and has enjoyed tremendous success with the LaLiga side, securing a cabinet full of trophies to his name. Marcelo has already made 496 appearances for Real and has also scored 36 goals. He is still going strong and is the most successful January transfer signing in LaLiga.
