Top 5 best January signings in Real Madrid history

Real Madrid have always been huge spenders in the transfer market, whether it be in the summer or in January.

Los Blancos have established themselves as one of football's biggest spending powers over the years, being able to spend exorbitant amounts of money to bring in world's best players.

Though many signings didn't work out they would have hoped, Real Madrid have had a few players that have caught the eye after joining the club in January.

A few of the players on this list have been fixtures for Real Madrid over the last decade and will go down as club legends.

Here are the top five best January signings in Real Madrid history.

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#5 Lassana Diarra

Lassana Diarra was solid for Real Madrid

When Lassana Diarra joined Real Madrid from Portsmouth in 2009, no one expected the French midfielder to shine.

Diarra however, proved everyone wrong and was soon an undisputed starter for Madrid under Jose Mourinho.

The Frenchman primarily played as a destroyer in the midfield.

But Diarra was known as a 'jack of all trades' due to his versatility and adaptability in the middle of the park.

The Frenchman stayed at Real Madrid for five years before leaving for Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

Lassana Diarra won the La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa de Espana during his stint at Real Madrid.

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#4 Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor in action for Real Madrid

Emmanuel Adebayor joined Real Madrid on loan from Manchester City in January 2011, and had a fairly successful six-month stay at the Bernabeu.

Adebayor was brought in as a back-up striker for the injured Karim Benzema but managed to have an immediate impact.

He scored eight goals in 22 appearances for the Bernabeu outfit and managed to help Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey that season.

The forward netted in Real Madrid's Copa del Rey semi-final fixture against Sevilla, and even made an appearance against Barcelona in the final.

Adebayor signed off his tenure at Real Madrid with a hat-trick against Almeria on the last day of the season. He then returned to Manchester City, after which he was immediately sold to Tottenham.

#3 Gonzalo Higuain

Gonzalo Higuain joined Real Madrid as a youngster

Gonzalo Higuain joined Real Madrid as a teenager from River Plate back in 2007, and went on to become one of the world's best strikers at the Bernabeu.

The Argentine was a roaring success at the club. He scored 121 goals in 264 appearances for Real Madrid, while sharing the forward line with the likes of Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Higuain ended his Real Madrid spell with three La Liga titles, two Supercopa de Espanas and a Copa del Rey to his name.

Higuain left Real Madrid for Napoli in 2013, where he went on to take the Serie A by storm.

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#2 Casemiro

Casemiro has been a vital player for Real Madrid since joining the club in 2013

Casemiro first joined Real Madrid on loan from Sao Paulo in 2013, and was instantly assigned to the club's second tier team.

Subsequently, his move was made permanent in the summer.

The Brazilian has now worked his way to being one of the most important players for the club.

The midfielder operates as Real Madrid's chief destroyer in the middle of the park, and provides excellent cover to the double pivot of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

The Brazilian is primarily known for his physical attributes as well as his high footballing IQ and work-rate.

Casemiro has blossomed as a player under Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid, with Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone going as far as saying,

"For the balance of the team, he is without a doubt [Real Madrid's] most important player. He has changed the face of Madrid."

Casemiro has also won a glut of trophies at Real Madrid - two La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns.

Being only 28-year-old, the Brazilian still has a few good years left ahead of him to improve his resume at the Bernabeu.

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#1 Marcelo

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Marcelo will go down as one of Real Madrid's greatest players of all time

When Marcelo joined Real Madrid in 2007, he came to Spain as one of football's most sought after youngsters.

He was touted to become the successor to Roberto Carlos at the Bernabeu. Now, over 14 years and more than 500 appearances later, it's fair to say that Marcelo has lived up to the hype.

The Brazilian has proven himself to be arguably the best left-back over the last decade.

Marcelo's versatility has allowed him to thrive both at left-back and as a midfielder at times.

The full-back is mostly known for his attacking prowess, as he formed one of football's deadliest partnerships with Cristiano Ronaldo, down Real Madrid's left flank.

Marcelo's compatriot Roberto Carlos had this to say about the him,

"Marcelo possesses a better technical ability than me."

Marcelo is also one of the most successful players of all time.

During his time at Real Madrid, the Brazilian has won multiple trophies, including five La Liga titles, and four Champions League titles, as well as being named into the FIFA and UEFA Team of the Year on multiple occasions.