The transfer window, complete with its deadline day denouement extravaganza, reached new levels of absurdity this year, with over £870million spent in the Premier League alone.
Fans and pundits alike could be forgiven for feeling uneasy at the ever-increasing figures being thrown around by clubs, with a number of records being broken again this summer.
The total figure spent is a record, with Manchester City’s £158.5million breaking the previous mark for a club in one window and Manchester United paying the highest fee ever for a teenager in buying French 19-year-old Anthony Martial for £36million.
But away from the glitz, glamour and greed, plenty of other clubs and players have been busy securing their futures away from the media spotlight.
Here, MM look at some of the deadline day transfers in the area that may not have caught your eye.
Regan Poole
Amidst the accusations and recriminations of David De Gea’s bungled transfer to Real Madrid, and Martial becoming the world’s most expensive teenager, there was another arrival at Old Trafford that failed to rouse quite as much interest.
In fact, United’s £100,000 signing of 17-year-old Regan Poole from Newport County wasn’t even announced on the club’s official Twitter page.
The Wales Under-17 defender spent time on trial at United and Liverpool last season, and was the subject of a failed bid by Hull City earlier in the window.
And County coach Terry Butcher, of bloody-bandaged England fame, thinks that the youngster will now have the ‘perfect platform’ from which to develop his game.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for him to progress at such a magnificent club,” he told the Newport County website.
“In the past few days a number of clubs have shown an interest in Regan, but as soon as Manchester United came in there was only really going to be one outcome.”
Whether the young Welshman makes an impact on the United first-team in the future remains to be seen, but his role in a dramatic Old Trafford deadline day will be a story for the grandkids regardless.
Andy Kellett
Kellett somewhat rose to prominence when he secured a loan deal from Bolton Wanderers to Manchester United last season, much to the surprise of fans and pundits alike.
However, it transpired that the 21-year-old had been signed to play in United’s development team, to allow academy prospect Saidy Janko to move the other way and gain first-team experience at Bolton.
And the left-back was on the move again on deadline day, this time permanently, as he made the switch to Wigan Athletic, who are looking to bounce back from last season’s second relegation in three years.
“I’m buzzing to finally sign,” he told the Wigan club website.
“The club has been in the Premier League in recent years and is still a massive club and I just want to help the team as much as I can.”
Eoin Doyle & Stevie May
Prior to January last season, Doyle had scored 25 goals in 33 games for Chesterfield.
Cardiff City swooped, signing the Irish striker for around £1million, and the 27-year-old went on impress at his new club, scoring a handful of goals whilst finding his feet at a higher level.
And now Preston North End boss Simon Grayson has secured his signature on a season-long loan deal, bringing in the kind of firepower that usually breaks the bank for a pittance.
The fun didn’t end there for Preston fans, with lavishly-lidded Scotland international Stevie May from Sheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee.
May was hot property in Scotland after bagging 20 goals in 38 games for St. Johnstone, but a disappointing campaign in Yorkshire has paved the way for a trip across the Pennines for the hairy striker, who declared himself ‘delighted’ with the move on Twitter.
Adam Drury
Kevin de Bruyne’s move to the Etihad Stadium, at £54.5million, was the most expensive of the window, and the Belgian is reported to have signed a contract worth around £14million a year.
Conversely, after his summer release by City, Adam Drury yesterday signed for Bristol Rovers on a non-contract basis.
“We have him here on non-contract terms and that gives me a chance to have a good look at the kid,” said Rovers manager Darrell Clarke.
“The ball is in the lad’s court because if he does well the opportunity is there for him to earn a full-time contract.”
The right winger spent his entire youth career at the Premier League giants, but has now taken the plunge at a League Two team, knowing that a bad performance could cost him his job.
Marvin Sordell
And finally, to Marvin Sordell.
The England U21 international represented Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, playing alongside Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy.
But on Tuesday, the 24-year-old had his contract terminated by Burnley, after failing to score during their relegation from the Premier League last season.
On the bright side, Marv has plenty of suitors on social media, with AFC Burnley offering the striker lifts to and from matches, and exempting him from paying subs.
They’ve even offered to take him to dinner after matches.
@MarvinSordell Marv! We’ve Instagrammed you an offer. Take a look. #DeadlySerious pic.twitter.com/L0BVzmOT9b
— AFC Burnley (@AFCBurnley) September 2, 2015
Here’s hoping he takes them up on their offer.
Image courtesy of FFF via YouTube, with thanks.
