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The Premier League has seen quite a bit of loan deals in its history. Clubs have seen the value in getting these short-term deals to fix certain issues in their teams.
A loan deal usually happens for a variety of reasons. One, the club taking the player on loan usually have a need they are trying to fix. In this instance, a loan is agreed either because they cannot afford to sign the player permanently or are unsure of how he will fit the team.
The loaning club usually sends players out either to gain experience, get them off their books or to make space in their squads for another player.
The player to be loaned usually agrees to be sent out as well in order to get regular game time or prove fitness among other reasons.
As one of Europe's most desirable destinations, the Premier League has had its share of the good, the bad and the ugly of loan deals. Here is a look at 5 of the very best:
#5 Christophe Dugarry to Birmingham City from Bordeaux (2002)
In the 2002-2003 season, Birmingham City was struggling badly up until the January transfer window. Managed by Steve Bruce, the Blues had been promoted from the Championship.
However, the side was one filled with cloggers and hardworking British players. There was very little in the way of flair or technique. This led to a terrible situation that saw the team languishing in 15th, a few points off the relegation zone.
With little in the way of finance to get in quality players, the loan option became the only available way to improve the squad. It came as a shock that the club managed to snag a World Cup winner in Dugarry on loan from Bordeaux.
The Frenchman had an immediate impact, infusing the team with the much-needed creativity. He got 5 goals and helped the team avoid relegation.
#4 Kevin Campbell to Everton from Trabzonspor (1999)
In the 1998/99 Premier League season, Everton was in deep trouble. Under famous Scotsman, Walter Smith, the Toffees had spent the first half of the season battling relegation.
The squad featured one of the oldest the league had ever seen at that point. Portuguese right-back Abel Xavier was one of the more recognizable faces in the side. It was a typical British team; filled with hard-working, strong players who had zero in the line of technique or style.
The team’s forwards; Danny Cadamarteri and Mark Hughes amongst others struggled to get goals. Smith and then chairman Bill Kenwright turned to Campbell for succour in the January transfer window.
The former England international had due to a dispute with Nottingham Forest made a surprise move to Turkey to join Trabzonspor. It was not a successful move despite him being very popular with the club’s fans.
In January 1999, he joined Everton on loan and almost singlehandedly changed the club’s fortunes. He scored 9 times in his first eight games safely steering the club to mid-table safety.
#3 Romelu Lukaku to West Brom from Chelsea (2012)
The 2012/13 Premier League season is most notable for it being Sir Alex Ferguson's final season as Manchester United manager.
However, one of the very good pieces of business that season was the move of the-then teenager, Romelu Lukaku to the Hawthorns. The Belgian international had joined the Blues a season before from Anderlecht for £17m. However, he had found game time difficult to come by under managers Andres Vilas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo.
Steve Clarke had taken over as manager following Roy Hodgson's departure to become England manager. The Irishman saw in Lukaku, the perfect short-term fix to the goalscoring problem. The young (and headstrong) Belgian had been unhappy sitting on the bench at Stamford Bridge.
He grabbed the chance with both hands plundering 17 goals in 33 matches as the Baggies easily avoided relegation finishing a club-record high in 8th place. The highlight came in the last match at home to Manchester United as Lukaku scored a hat-trick in a thrilling 5-5 draw.
This was Sir Alex's last ever match as United manager.
#2 Robbie Keane to Leeds United from Inter Milan (2000)
The young Irishman had been one of the Premier League's hottest young properties during his time at Coventry City. His impudence, confidence, skill, and finishing made him a desirable target for Europe's top sides.
A lengthy chase followed and Inter Milan under Marcelo Lippi got his signature for £13m in 2000. However, Lippi was subsequently sacked by the Italian giants. New manager, Marco Tardelli was not enamoured of the Irish international's charms and kept him out of the first team set-up.
Leeds United had been very impressive under manager David O'Leary. Keane was seen as the ideal candidate to add to the team's attacking arsenal. A loan deal was agreed and he joined Leeds in December 2000.
He made an instant impact at Elland Road scoring 9 times in 14 games as Leeds pushed hard for a UEFA Champions League spot before losing out to Newcastle United with a 6-point difference.
#1 Mikel Arteta to Everton from Real Sociedad (2005)
The careers of Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso couldn't have been any different. Through some odd quirks of fate, they were almost always on opposing sides throughout their careers.
When Arteta had joined Real Sociedad for €5.2 million from Glashow Rangers, the idea was for him to play alongside Alonso. However, the now-retired midfielder moved to Liverpool shortly. Without him, Arteta floundered at the Anoeta only making 3 appearances in his debut season.
He was loaned to Everton in January 2005 and it was a move that paid off significantly for both parties. Replacing Thomas Gravesen who had moved to Real Madrid, the Spaniard became an instant hit at Goodison Park.
Dictating play from midfield, Arteta's intelligence, passing, and crossing helped David Moyes' side to great effect. Against all odds, the Toffees qualified that season for the UEFA Champions League qualifying round by finishing 4th in the league.
