Dry those eyes…
The January transfer window is further away now than it ever will be.
None of us may have known what an Ozan Kabak was a matter of hours ago, but the news that he – a promising 20-year-old Turkish defender, by the way – has joined Liverpool from Schalke was undoubtedly the main headline grabber on deadline day.
But never mind that deal. We’re not here for that. We’re here for the other, much-less-talked-about transfers that might just have escaped your attention as the precious seconds slip away on Sky Sports News’ big, fancy countdown clock.
Without further ado, here are some of the deadline day transfers you might have missed:
Joshua King to Everton
Our new number #⃣1⃣1⃣!#EFC 🔵
— Everton (@Everton) February 2, 2021
King had been linked with a move to Manchester United this time last year, only for his former club to scoff at the asking price Bournemouth were commanding. With just 12 months left on his Cherries contract, he turned down Fulham to join Everton on a short-term deal.
Josh Maja to Fulham
Rabbit out the hat! 🐇
Here’s the #MAJIC @joshmaja! 🪄 pic.twitter.com/NXOIqXym5I
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 1, 2021
The subject of limited but hilarious on-screen time during Netflix’s documentary Sunderland ‘Til I Die, Maja left the Wearsiders for Bordeaux in January 2019. The 22-year-old never really got going in Ligue 1, scoring just twice in 17 appearances so far this season. He has now joined Scott Parker’s side on a loan deal with an option to buy.
Joe Willock to Newcastle
🗣 A message from our new signing!
Great to have you on board, @Joewillock! 🙌⚫️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/YGHJSNPiph
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 2, 2021
Arsenal saw a number of departures throughout the transfer window, with a number of them ridding the club of deadwood. Willock’s move to St. James’ Park, however, should benefit all parties involved. A talented midfielder, Willock has been unable to break into Mikel Arteta’s in-form team. This move to Newcastle should give him ample playing time, and add a degree of attacking quality to Steve Bruce’s side.
Shane Long to Bournemouth
𝙃𝙚’𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 👋
We’re delighted to welcome Shane Long on loan until the end of the season 🤝@ShaneLong7 // #afcb 🍒
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) February 2, 2021
With Joshua King leaving for Everton, Bournemouth required some cover for their forwards. In Shane Long, they have an experienced striker, though one who has struggled for goals over the past three or four seasons. Still, he should expect to score when given the opportunity in the Championship.
Takumi Minamino to Southampton
Welcome to #SaintsFC, @takumina0116 😇
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 2, 2021
Minamino has struggled at Anfield since moving from Red Bull Salzburg, and a loan move to a progressive and attacking Premier League club should be exactly what he needs. A smart move for everyone.
Patrick Roberts to Derby
We'll try this one again… 😉
Patrick Roberts is a Ram! 🐏
✍️✅
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 1, 2021
One of many promising players to move to Derby around deadline day, the still relatively young Roberts has yet to fulfil the potential he showed earlier in his career, but is likely to benefit from the tutelage of Wayne Rooney.
Jese to Las Palmas
After playing for some of the most glamorous clubs on the continent in Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Stoke City, Jese has returned to his hometown club of Las Palmas. The 27-year-old left PSG last month.
Jesé, nuevo jugador de la UD Las Palmas.
➡️ https://t.co/158fsbGDVy pic.twitter.com/GwzRhQTXVZ
— UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) February 1, 2021
Teden Mengi to Derby
Missed this one earlier but it’s been confirmed that Wayne Rooney has used his relationship with Manchester United to take extremely highly rated young defender Teden Mengi on loan.
▪️ Young Lion 🦁
▪️ A taste of Europe 🌍Learn more about the journey of @TedenMengi 🙌
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) February 1, 2021
Cenk Tosun to Besiktas
Another signing involving a Turkish player sees Cenk Tosun return to his homeland with Besiktas from Everton on loan for the rest of the season.
Cenk Tosun has completed a loan switch to Besiktas for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.#EFC 🔵
— Everton (@Everton) February 1, 2021
Sami Khedira to Hertha Berlin
A big one by today’s standards, World Cup winner Sami Khedira has returned to his homeland with Hertha Berlin, bringing to an end his time at Juventus.
🏆 World Cup
🏆 Champions League
🏆 Bundesliga
🏆 La Liga
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Serie A
🏆🏆 Copa del Rey
🏆🏆🏆 Coppa ItaliaThat's quite the CV, @SamiKhedira! 😳#DeadlineDay #HaHoHe pic.twitter.com/SThqOfvMRj
— Hertha BSC (EN) (@HerthaBSC_EN) February 1, 2021
DeAndre Yedlin to Galatasaray
Galatasaray have confirmed another signing from English football, with US international DeAndre Yedlin signing for the Turkish club from Newcastle on a permanent deal. No ambulance plane involved this time, as far as we’re aware.
✍️ Galatasaray’a hoş geldin DeAndre Yedlin! 🤜🤛 pic.twitter.com/ndIyl1ZJB9
— Galatasaray SK (@GalatasaraySK) February 1, 2021
Moises Caicedo to Brighton
Highly rated Ecuadorian youngster Moises Caicedo was linked with a move to Manchester United but has now completed his move from Independiente del Valle. We look forward to reports of United trying to sign him for 20 times whatever the fee is in about 18 months’ time.
✍️ Albion have completed the signing of Moises Caicedo on a contract until June 2025 from Ecuadorian top-flight side Independiente del Valle!
A̷n̷n̷o̷u̷n̷c̷e̷ ̷C̷a̷i̷c̷e̷d̷o̷
𝗖𝗮𝗶𝗰𝗲𝗱𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 😁
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) February 1, 2021
Taylor Harwood-Bellis to Blackburn
Yep. We’re still here. We now bring you the news that Taylor Harwood-Bellis, a highly rated Manchester City youngster, will look for first team minutes with Blackburn, who he has joined on loan for the remainder of the season.
✍️ #Rovers are delighted to confirm the arrival of rising star Taylor Harwood-Bellis on loan from Manchester City until the end of the season.#WeAreTogether 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/1z4mvnjUTY
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 1, 2021
Gedson Fernandes to Galatasaray
Remember Gedson Fernandes? The one some people mistook for Bruno Fernandes when it first emerged Spurs were trying to get him? Yeah, him. Things haven’t quite worked out since arriving in north London a year ago, and so he’s now off to Turkey, to join Galatasaray on loan. Things have been complicated by a positive Covid test, which, according to reports in Turkey, say he travelled by ambulance plane to get the deal done.
Troy Parrott to Ipswich
In search of first-team minutes, Troy Parrott has left Spurs for a rest-of-the-season loan to Ipswich and clearly looks delighted about it.
✍️ Welcome to #itfc, Troy Parrott!
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) February 1, 2021
Mitchel Bergkamp to Watford
Yes, he is related. Mitchel Bergkamp, son of Arsenal’s legendary non-flying Dutchman, Dennis, has signed for Watford subject to international clearance. The 22-year-old attacking midfielder had inked a six-month deal which could be extended and will join the U23 squad.
Winston Reid to Brentford
Just about the only central defender not linked with Liverpool in the last week, Winston Reid has left West Ham on a loan deal with Brentford for the rest of the season.
✍ Welcome to #BrentfordFC @winstonreid2
The defender joins on loan until the end of the season#WelcomeWinston pic.twitter.com/WiIBWIUHgG
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 1, 2021
Glenn Murray to Nottingham Forest
Glenn Murray’s time at Brighton is up. The 37-year-old is reunited with Chris Hughton at Nottingham Forest after allegedly spending the first half of the season on loan at Watford.
✍️ Murray checks in#NFFC are delighted to announce the signing of striker Glenn Murray from @OfficialBHAFC. pic.twitter.com/SwMdMAG7SZ
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 1, 2021
Joshua Zirkzee to Parma
Okay, okay. Not technically a done deal but it’s early and we’re excited. Joshua Zirkzee is nearing the completion of his move from Bayern Munich to Parma, report Sky Italy. The Dutch forward has touched down in Milan ahead of a medical and signing his contract. Do any of you know who Joshua Zirkzee is or even care about this news? Quite possibly not.