10 best January transfer signings of all time

The inception of the January transfer window happened thanks to a FIFA ruling in the 2002-2003 season and the transfer dealings have become more expensive with each passing year. The Winter transfer window, as it is famously called, is used by many clubs to address their needs midway through the season be it as a stop gap or a long term solution. Like the summer transfer window, the media goes gung-ho about this too every season.The Winter transfer window has changed the face of football across the major leagues in Europe with players being able to demand moves to other clubs in this month long window. Managers use this window either to get players to help intitle run-ins, relegation battles or most importantly address any injury problems their club might be going through.This window can be a huge disadvantage for a player as they are devoid of a proper pre-season, have very little time to adapt to a new locale and teammates and are required to hit the ground running from Day 1. Most of the transfers made during this window involve ludicrous sums of money (read Fernando Torres and Andy Carroll) and absolute failures.However, there are players who have used this window to chart their own success stories at new clubs. We look at the best 10 signings in the January transfer window till date.Honorable Mentions:Philippe Coutino (Inter Milan to Liverpool)Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea to Liverpool)David Luiz (Benfica to Chelsea)

#10 Christophe Dugarry

The 1998 World Cup winner was a surprise loan signing for Birmingham City

Transfer: Bordeaux to Birmingham City, 2003

Cost: On Loan

A loan deal is always seen as a safe move between clubs, one where all the parties benefit. However, none of the loan deals has been as successful and a happy ending as the one which involved Christophe Dugarry. Persuaded over a cup of tea and a rich tea biscuit by then Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce, Dugarry turned out to be an unlikely hero for the club.

Flirting with relegation in the Blues debut 2002-2003 season in the top flight, Birmingham City needed an astute signing in the winter transfer window and the French World Cup Winner turned out to be just the one to bail Birmingham out. Dugarry’s impact wasn’t instant as he struggled to find the net in his first 10 games. However, he managed to score 5 goals in 4 games which Birmingham won at a canter that ensured that Birmingham stayed in the top flight for another season.

Having made his deal permanent the next season, he struggled to contribute significantly to the team’s fortunes and ended up scoring a solitary goal in his time at the club. Despite his struggles after his permanent transfer he was inducted into the Blues' hall of fame based on the conjuring act he produced in 2003 to save the Blues from relegation.