Top 5 January deadline day signings

Johnny Heitinga

This January around £130m was spent in the transfer window by Premier League clubs with deadline day being as busy as ever in the English top flight.

Most of the deals were done at the bottom of the table with the big boys, Kurt Zouma to Chelsea and Kim Kallstrom on loan to Arsenal excluded, had all their business done earlier in the window.

Here Squawka takes a look at the five best deals done on Deadline Day.

1. Johnny Heitinga – Everton to Fulham (free)

Heitinga has barely featured for Everton this season under Roberto Martinez but under the club’s previous management was a regular in the side.

Heitinga’s performance last season for the Toffees

In last season’s Premier League he played 26 times earning a Squawka Performance Score of 278. He won 63% of tackles and 55% of headers while making 38 interceptions. He also completed 83% of passes.

With the Cottagers having the worst defence in the division Rene Mulensteen may have been quite shrewd brining in this experienced defender who has 87 caps for the Netherlands.

2. Kurt Zouma – Saint-Etienne to Chelsea (£12.5m)

Considering the fact he is only 19-years-old and he has been immediately to his old club shows that Zouma is one for the future but with Gary Cahill, Branislav Ivanovic and John Terry aged between 28 and 33 it is a position they need to strengthen in looking long term.

Zouma does have potential. In 13 Ligue 1 outings this season he has won 67% of the 18 tackles he has contested and has won a massive 76% of the 44 headers challenged for. He has also completed 85% of passes.

His Squawka Performance Score of 282 makes him the fourth best player 20 years old and under in the French top flight.

Zouma could well go on to be a leading Chelsea player in the not too distant future.

Kurt Zouma stats

3. Liam Bridcutt – Brighton and Hove Albion to Sunderland (£3m)

Gus Poyet has been chasing Briductt from his former club Brighton pretty much since he joined the Wearside club and finally clinched his signing on deadline day. Bridcutt slotted in to his new team perfectly playing 90 minutes in the 3-0 win over fierce rivals Newcastle United on Saturday.

The test will be whether he can step up to the top flight after doing so well in the Championship for so long. In 11 matches this season he has completed 81% of passes which will help improve Sunderland’s ball retention and distribution. He also made 17 interceptions in those matches showing an excellent reading of the game.

4. Jason Puncheon – Southampton to Crystal Palace (undisclosed)

Tony Pulis will be happy to have secured Puncheon on a permanent deal after the player, who joined on loan under Ian Holloway, has impressed for the Eagles this season, penalty against Tottenham Hotspur aside.

Puncheon, who had a mixed time in his spell with the Saints, has created 30 chances in 20 games this season and five in his side’s last two games, which they have won both of. He has also scored three times and won 51% of his 67 attempted take ons.

He is a direct winger who likes to get at his opponent and has a quick, explosive burst of pace which enables him to beat his man. For Palace this season he has been a constant threat to opposition and an important outlet.

Jason Puncheon stats

5. Pablo Armero – Napoli to West Ham United (loan)

It is no secret that Sam Allardyce wanted to and really needed to improve his defence ahead of the Premier League relegation battle. Many Hammers fans were distraught at the signing of Roger Johnson, but they can now breathe a sigh of relief with the capture of this Colombia international.

Only missing seven Serie A games for parent club Napoli this season and has done well. 54% of 28 tackles won and he is even better in the air winning 82% of headed duels. What will appeal as well is his pass completion of 84% which will enable West Ham to play out from the back.

Pablo Armero stats