Who was the last Championship player signed by each Premier League club and how have they fared?

Sean Fisher
8 April 2022

Andrew Robertson moved to Liverpool from Hull for just £8million

Liverpool are expected to become the latest top-flight club to dip into the second tier, with reports suggesting a deal has been agread for Fulham’s Fabio Carvalho.

There are expected to a number of high-profile signings completed this summer, with stars including Kylian Mbappe, Paul Pogba and Erling Haaland likely to be on the move.

But while the big clubs devote the majority of their budgets to big names, there are always some bargains to be found in the second tier of English football.

After their success in poaching Andy Robertson from the Championship back in 2017, Liverpool are expected to go bargain hunting again this summer, with reports suggesting an £8million deal for Fabio Carvalho has been agreed.

But while some clubs have had great success when dipping into the Championship for promising players, others seem to have completely neglected it in their transfer strategy.

Planet Sport looks back on the most recent Championship signings made by the 20 Premier League clubs to see if it is a policy worth pursuing.

Arsenal - Mathieu Debuchy (2014)

Despite signing the recently-relegated Aaron Ramsdale last season, the former Sheffield United shotstopper hadn't actually played any Championship football, and so doesn't qualify for this list.

Instead, the Gunners have to travel back to 2014 for the last time they signed a player from the Championship, when they spent £13million on Newcastle full-back Debuchy.

The Frenchman ended up staying in north London for four seasons, making just 13 appearances for Arsenal before moving on to Saint-Etienne in 2018.

Aston Villa - Emiliano Buendia (2021)

Villa, on the other hand, only have to go back to 2021 for their last Championship purchase.

Buendia was at the heart of Norwich's promotion push. And, after winning the Championship with an impressive 97 points, Buendia would have been a Premier League player anyway the following season.

Nevertheless, Villa had seen enough of the talented Argentine to justify a £35million move last summer.

Brentford - Pontus Jansson (2019)

Despite being a Championship side as recently as last season, Brentford haven't actually signed a Championship player since 2019, when they poached Jansson from Leeds United.

With both teams vying for promotion that season, Jansson's £5million switch was a sign of Brentford's Premier League aspirations.

Three years down the line, Brentford now find themselves in the Premier League, with Jansson as their captain.

Brighton - Danny Welbeck (2020)

The Seagulls swooped in for Watford's Danny Welbeck back in October, 2020.

However, it's not worked out too well for Graham Potter's side, who are still in desperate need of an out-and-out striker. Welbeck has netted nine goals in 60 Brighton appearances.

Burnley - Connor Roberts (2021)

The Clarets actually signed two Championship players last summer, first acquiring Nathan Collins from Stoke for £12million before returning and securing Roberts' signature for £2million.

However, with Collins arriving at Turf Moor in June and Roberts moving two months later in August, it's the Welshman who makes the list.

Chelsea - Marcus Bettinelli (2021)

In the same window that the Blues acquired £100million Romelu Lukaku, Thomas Tuchel strengthened his goalkeeping department by signing Fulham's Marcus Bettinelli.

The 29-year-old made over 100 appearances for the Cottagers before moving on a free transfer to Stamford Bridge. However, he has made just one appearance for the Blues this campaign, in the FA Cup against non-league Chesterfield.

Crystal Palace - Michael Olise (2021)

The Eagles struck gold last summer, signing Reading's Michael Olise for just £8million.

The 20-year-old forward has netted twice in the Premier League and managed a further five assists, all while being a crucial part of Patrick Vieira's side.

Everton - Asmir Begovic (2021)

The Toffees are another side who turned to the Championship to strengthen their goalkeeping depth, signing Begovic from Bournemouth in 2021.

Begovic has so far played second fiddle to Jordan Pickford between the sticks, and if things continue the way they are for the Merseyside club, could find himself a Championship player once again next season.

Leeds United - Patrick Bamford (2018)

Patrick Bamford remains sidelined for Leeds United, Feb2022

The last time Leeds United signed a player from the Championship, they themselves were in the second tier.

In the same season the Yorkshire club appointed Marcelo Bielsa as manager, they acquired Bamford from Middlesbrough for £7million.

It has turned out to be a great signing for Leeds, with Bamford going on to score 44 goals in 114 appearances.

Leicester City - James Justin (2019)

The Foxes have done a great job of strengthening the side since their miraculous title win back in 2016, and their latest Championship signing came in the shape of Justin from Luton Town.

Brendan Rodgers signed the defender for just £6million and he's gone on to make 43 appearances and keep 13 clean sheets.

Liverpool - Andy Robertson (2017)

Fabio Carvalho's arrival at Anfield will see the Portuguese star replace Robertson in this list.

But for now, Liverpool's star left-back remains their most recent Championship signing, moving to Anfield from Hull City.

Robertson's £8million fee remains one of the best bargains in the Premier League era, with the Scotland international going on to win Premier League and Champions League titles with the Reds.

Manchester City - Scott Carson (2021)

While City have had plenty of success raiding Europe, they also turned towards England's second tier to pick up a back-up goalkeeper last season.

Scott Carson's move to the Etihad last summer was never designed to replace or even challenge Ederson. Instead, the 36-year-old is there to provide goalkeeping depth.

He was on loan to the Citizens from West Brom for three seasons before making the move permanent in 2021. He's still only made one Premier League appearance for Pep Guardiola's side.

Manchester United - Daniel James (2019)

It's fair to say Manchester United's move for Daniel James didn't work out too well, but the Red Devils did profit from their Championship investment.

The Welsh winger moved for £16million and scored on his debut against Chelsea but then fizzled out as he struggled to nail down a starting spot at Old Trafford.

When Jadon Sancho arrived in the summer of 2021, James was sold to Leeds for £25million.

Newcastle United - Jacob Murphy (2017)

While the Magpies often poach players from recently relegated sides, the last time they actually bought a player from an active Championship club was Norwich's Murphy back in the summer of 2017.

Murphy has since made 85 appearances for Newcastle, scoring four goals as well as six assists.

However, with their new found riches likely to be on show come the summer, it'd be a surprise to see Newcastle turn towards the Championship again.

Norwich City - Grant Hanley (2017)

Current Canaries captain Grant Hanley arrived at Carrow Road in the summer of 2017, when he made a £3million switch from Newcastle United.

It came during the season where the Tyneside club were battling their way back into the top flight.

Hanley has since become club captain and has seen his Norwich side float between the Premier League and Championship for what seems like decades.

Southampton - Adam Armstrong (2021)

The Saints have a Scottish strikeforce made up of players they poached from the Championship. Both Che Adams and Armstrong have moved to St Mary's from the second tier in the last three years.

Adams arrived from Birmingham for £15million in 2019, while Armstrong was their latest Championship signing, arriving last summer from Blackburn for a similar fee to his strike partner.

The Scotland international has scored two goals across 20 appearances in his debut season.

Tottenham - Joe Rodon (2020)

In the same summer Spurs persuaded Gareth Bale to return to north London, Jose Mourinho also brought in fellow Welsh international Joe Rodon.

The former Swansea defender hasn't stamped his authority on the starting XI yet, but at just 24 years old he has plenty of time to build on his 18 Premier League appearances.

Watford - Ashley Fletcher (2021)

It seems the Hornets make a dozen transfers each season, and one of their 14 transfers in the 2021/22 season was Middlesbrough's Ashley Fletcher.

However, the 26-year-old only made three appearances before being loaned out to New York Red Bulls.

West Ham - Said Benrahma (2020)

After a stunning season for Brentford in 2019/20, West Ham snapped up the talented Algerian winger for £20million.

He's since made 57 top-flight appearances and scored seven goals with a further 12 assists.

Wolves - Adama Traore (2018)

After achieving promotion back to the Premier League in the 2017/18 season, Wolves strengthened their squad the following summer by splashing out £18million on athletic Middlesbrough winger Adama Traore.

The Spaniard stayed at the club for four years, scoring eight goals in 123 top-flight appearances.

The winger is now on loan at former club Barcelona.