5 of the best loan deals in Premier League history

Dugarry's flair helped Birmingham avoid relegation
Dugarry's flair helped Birmingham avoid relegation

#4 Kevin Campbell to Everton from Trabzonspor (1999)

Campbell saved Everton from almost certain relegation
Campbell saved Everton from almost certain relegation

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.

Quick Links

Edited by Sripad