The Football League Love the Transfer Window

Of course every football follower around the world didn’t miss the fascinating extravaganza that was this season’s January Transfer Window, but there may have been some deals that you were too busy to see.

We all know that in this rather boring window the bottom half of the Premier League grabbed the chance to shine. It’s never a good sign when Hull City are dominating the headlines (no offence), but there were indeed several exciting movements throughout the Football League that may just get you talking at the pub later on this evening.

Wigan were the talk of the Championship with 11 new arrivals, thus assembling a completely different side to get them out of their rather sticky situation. They helped out the busy Hull City by taking two of their boys on loan, but more importantly captured the signing of the elusive Gabriel Obertan. The former Manchester United baller is fascinatingly still only 27 years old, and even more fascinatingly just released from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala. Obertan now joins an exclusive list of ex-Anzhi stars including Samuel Eto’o and Roberto Carlos, although the winger did have his contract terminated, so maybe he didn’t quite live up to expectation.

Aston Villa were also busy bees, deciding they’ve had enough of Jordan Ayew by swapping the forward for Swansea left back Neil Taylor. They also shipped out want-away forward Ross McCormack, however did reel in highly-rated Brentford striker Scott Hogan in a £12m deal. That is, by my estimates, around £457m spent by Villa in about a year and a half, as the club fight for 14th place in the Championship.

Other transfers catching the eye include a loan move to Burton for Michael Kightly, who was surely once capable of better things? The winger is now 31 years old, but more interestingly was rejected by Spurs as a schoolboy, something to tell the grandkids for certain. Lincoln City FA Cup hero Theo Robinson got a well-earned switch to Southend, while enigma Ravel Morrison is back on loan at QPR after a dismal spell at Lazio.

Matty Taylor has become the most unpopular guy in Bristol after his daring move from Rovers to City, the first of its kind in 30 years. Meanwhile forgotten forward Marvin Emnes is the latest to suffer from a fear of ‘making it’ in the Premier League, joining Blackburn from Swansea on loan.

Arguably one of Newcastle’s all-time heroes for his football, but also for his famous handball/ sniper/ sending off incident against Villa, Steven Taylor has moved to Ipswich for the rest of the season. Wonder kid Nathan Delfouneso, at just 25 years of age, is back at Blackpool for an incredible fourth time.

Once Man of the Match in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in 2012, Kerim Frei has joined Birmingham for £2.2m. The ex-Fulham man was however narrowly out trumped by Champions League runner-up Jermaine Pennant and his move to Bury in League One.

Away from England for a second and all associated with Turkish football are celebrating some top coups in reeling Emmanuel Adebayor and Sandro to Istanbul Basaksehir and Antalyaspor respectively, while the MLS can’t wait to see Arsenal academy graduate Jay Simpson in action for Philadelphia Union.

The Premier League may not have witnessed big January moves this time around, like Suarez or Vidic back in the day, but be sure to check up on the lower leagues of English football for some familiar faces and definitely lots of thrills.