Ranking the 5 greatest deadline-day signings in Premier League history

The Premier League has had a no. of high-profile deadline-day signings over the years.
The Premier League has had a no. of high-profile deadline-day signings over the years.

#3 Ashley Cole to Chelsea (August 31, 2006)

The defender won three Premier League trophies at Stamford Bridge.
The defender won three Premier League trophies at Stamford Bridge.

On deadline day in the summer of 2006, Chelsea pulled off one of the best transfers in their history by luring Ashley Cole away from their bitter rivals Arsenal. The defender went on to establish himself as one of the finest left-backs in Europe during an eight-year stint at Stamford Bridge.

Ashley Cole made 338 appearances for the Blues across competitions, recording seven goals and 38 assists to his name. He also won three Premier League titles, one Champions League crown, four FA Cups and one Carling Cup before leaving for AS Roma in the summer of 2014.

#2 Luis Suarez to Liverpool (January 31, 2011)

Luis Suarez was a beast in front of goal during his Premier League spell.
Luis Suarez was a beast in front of goal during his Premier League spell.

Luis Suarez's €27 million deadline move from Ajax to Liverpool in January 2011 proved to be a huge success. The Uruguayan became an instant hit at Anfield, bagging four goals and five assists in 13 Premier League appearances in the second half of the campaign before following that up with 17 goals and ten assists in 39 games in the subsequent season.

Suarez won the hearts of Liverpool fans with his potency in front of goal. He almost led the Reds to the Premier League title in the 2013-14 campaign, when he recorded 31 goals and 17 assists in 33 appearances. He won the prestigious Golden Shoe that season.

The Uruguayan eventually left for Barcelona for a massive €81 million in the summer of 2014, fetching Liverpool a profit of €54 million. Suarez concluded his Anfield stint with 84 goals and 47 assists across three-and-a-half seasons.

#1 Wayne Rooney to Manchester United (August 31, 2004)

The attacker became Manchester United's all time top scorer and one of the greatest in Premier League history.
The attacker became Manchester United's all time top scorer and one of the greatest in Premier League history.

Wayne Rooney joined Manchester United as an 18-year-old youngster on a deadline-day transfer on August 31, 2004.

The attacker got off to an electrifying start, scoring an incredible hat-trick against Fenerbache in front of the Old Trafford faithful on September 28, 2004. The rest, as they say, is history.

Wayne Rooney moved forward to become the all-time top scorer for Manchester United, with an unbelievable 253 goals and 146 assists in 559 appearances across all competitions. The Englishman won five Premier League titles, four Carling Cups, one FA Cup and four Community Shields during his time at the Old Trafford club.

He also won the Champions League, the Europa League and the Club World Cup once apiece with the Red Devils before leaving for Everton on a free transfer on July 9, 2017.

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