The return of the best league in the world is just days away now. The new Championship season got underway on Friday night as Huddersfield Town hosted newly relegated Burnley off the back of their own disappointment, the playoff final defeat. Both of these two have made a few moves and focusing on all 24 teams, here are some of the best Championship transfers from this summer window.
Standout Championship Transfers During This Summer Window
Kal Naismith to Bristol City
Going in alphabetical order and Ashton Gate is the first destination. Bristol City have lost out on a lot of their best talents following poachers’ moves from clubs elsewhere. The Robins are now getting used to the post-Lee Johnson era though and Kal Naismith is quite a coup. The Scotsman played a huge role in Luton Town’s shock top six finish and so for Bristol to snap him up on a free is very fascinating indeed.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Scott Twine to Burnley
✍️ Burnley signings so far:
Arijanet Muric ✅
Ian Maatsen ✅
Taylor Harwood-Bellis ✅
Scott Twine ✅
CJ Egan-Riley ✅
Samuel Bastien ✅
Luke McNally ✅
Josh Cullen ✅#TwitterClarets pic.twitter.com/jhoTFtLrZk— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) July 22, 2022
Only one of the three relegated teams feature on this list, Burnley. Vincent Kompany taking over at Turf Moor seems to be a very left-field appointment but the business on the field has been smart. With the Belgian’s links, centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis joining on loan from Manchester City is great for all parties.
Also, Scott Twine has arrived from MK Dons after tearing up League One – he netted four on the final day of last season against Plymouth Argyle. These are certainly two of the best Championship transfers of this window.
Callum O’Dowda and Romaine Sawyers to Cardiff City
A lot of Cardiff City’s business is very typical of the Championship. There have been quite a few free transfers coming in that are that sort of player with reputation proceeding them. Names such as Callum O’Dowda, Romaine Sawyers and Sheyi Ojo are always spoken about as being able to kick off given the right environment, but for whatever reason, this never comes to fruition.
Jonathan Panzo to Coventry City
Jonathan Panzo has scored his third goal in his second game for Coventry 👏🏼 #NFFC pic.twitter.com/s7Ou2E2F5x
— Callum Castel (@callumcasteln) July 23, 2022
Coventry City are under the microscope not only for being one of the ten European teams to keep an eye on, but for Jonathan Panzo being one of the better Championship transfers.
At the time of writing, Viktor Gyokeres and Callum O’Hare are still Coventry players whilst young defenders Panzo and Callum Doyle join on loan.
Ozan Tufan to Hull City
The headline for Hull City is of course regarding the shock arrival of Jean Michael Seri. It is heavily trodden ground that he went from having interest from Barcelona to joining Fulham and now he is in place at the KCOM.
There have been some major arrivals under the new regime, along with Seri, including former Watford man Ozan Tufan. He didn’t get a whole of action for the Hornets but it will be intriguing to see how he fares for Hull.
Cauley Woodrow to Luton Town
Luton Town making the playoffs last season was quite a surprise to most onlookers. Striker Elijah Adebayo is reportedly subject to interest from Wayne Rooney’s DC United and this coincides with the Hatters bringing on board a couple of forwards.
Barnsley’s Cauley Woodrow and Carlton Morris are amongst the more interesting Championship transfers of this window. The former struggled last term but is definitely a very capable player at this level.
Zack Steffen to Middlesbrough
https://twitter.com/zacksteffen_/status/1549824202617888769
Since Chris Wilder has taken over at Middlesbrough, everything seems to be going in the right direction. The arrival of Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen on loan will only embellish this. He was excellent with both the Columbus Crew and Fortuna Dusseldorf so this is a chance, with regular playing time, that the USMNT shot-stopper can remind us all of his ability.
George Honeyman to Millwall
George Honeyman to Millwall is one of the more low-key Championship transfers of this window. He was a very solid player at Sunderland and then again at Hull City. The Premier League may be beyond the Englishman’s reach but the second-tier of English football is his bread and butter. If Millwall are to make a playoff push, he could well play a part.
Freddie Woodman to Preston North End
✍️ Preston signings so far:
Troy Parrott ✅
David Cornell ✅
Ben Woodburn ✅
Freddie Woodman ✅
Robbie Brady ✅
Alvaro Fernandez 🔜#PNEFC pic.twitter.com/jnH05eYtrF— The #EFL Zone (@TheFLZone) July 25, 2022
The second keeper on this list is Freddie Woodman. He managed just four appearances for Newcastle United in and amongst a plethora of loan moves, on which he enjoyed mixed success. One of those top-flight run-outs saw him concede quite a clanger against Manchester United but the England U21 man is a great pick-up for Ryan Lowe and Preston North End.
Jake Clark-Salter and Tyler Roberts to Queens Park Rangers
Returning back to the capital and the dismissal of Mark Warburton last year caused a late of debate amongst QPR fans. Michael Beale, Steven Gerrard’s former assistant, is the man in charge now. the youngblood ethos continues at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium as Jake Clarke-Salter and Tyler Roberts join on loan from Chelsea and Leeds respectively. Roberts is in search of more regular football whilst the former is used to the loan system, he had a lot of fans during his time with Coventry.
Aden Flint to Stoke City
Aden Flint is another regular in the Championship and the centre-back has a new home. Bristol City, Middlesbrough and Cardiff have all been homes of the big man previously and Stoke City are the next one up. Flint joining on a free along with Dwight Gayle and Josh Laurent is strong business from Michael O’Neill. However, the question remains of whether they can bridge the gap to those in and around the playoffs.
Jack Clarke to Sunderland
During his breakthrough season at Elland Road, Leeds United fans were certainly enjoying the presence of Jack Clarke. He was snapped up by Tottenham yet hasn’t made a single appearance for the Lilywhites. Sunderland was his latest destination on loan and their promotion to the second-tier has seen his stay on Wearside become permanent. He is just 21 and so this is certainly one of the most exciting Championship transfers to have taken place.
John Swift and Okay Yokuslu to West Bromwich Albion
It feels good to be back 💙🤍 pic.twitter.com/WS9tN3LMqC
— Okay Yokuşlu (@Okayokuslu) July 23, 2022
Finally then to West Brom and after a turgid 2021/22, Steve Bruce has acquired a couple of excellent midfielders. Turkish international Okay Yokuslu was one of very few bright sparks when the Baggies were in the Premier League, and so with the chance to bring him in on a free from Celta Vigo, they couldn’t say no. Meanwhile, John Swift, when fit, has been key for Reading in recent years and when you have him alongside Yokuslu, Alex Mowatt and Jed Wallace, promotion may be beckoning.
Honourable mentions
Alongside these superb Championship transfers, there are many, many more. Here are some honourable mentions: Dion Sanderson to Birmingham City, Lewis Fiorini to Blackpool, Tino Anjorin to Huddersfield Town, Joe Lumley to Reading, Reda Khadra to Sheffield United, Harry Darling to Swansea City and Rey Manaj to Watford.
