A best XI of Premier League signings by newly promoted clubs | OneFootball

Signings are a crucial part of any promoted teams bid to stay in the Premier League.

Sunderland are currently turning heads with their recruitment this summer, as the newly promoted Black Cats splash the cash. Régis Le Bris’ side has already spent north of £100m and have now put Bayer Leverkusen title-winner Granit Xhaka on their wish list.

As Sunderland spend big in their pursuit of consolidation, we’ve picked out some memorable signings from newly promoted Premier League teams.

A best XI of Premier League signings by newly promoted clubs

Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar – Fulham (2001)

Fulham somehow managed to pick up Edwin van der Sar in 2001, signing the Dutch international from Juventus in a shock £7m deal. Van der Sar had won the Champions League at Ajax before a two-season spell in Italy, before making the surprise move to Craven Cottage.

He spent four seasons in West London and helped Fulham establish themselves in the Premier League before a move to Manchester United. At Old Trafford, he lifted four Premier League titles and a second Champions League crown.

Right-back: Kyle Walker – Burnley (2025)

This one could come back to haunt us with Walker yet to feature for the Clarets, but the club’s capture of the 35-year-old is a statement of intent.

Walker started last season as captain of the reigning Premier League champions and arrives at Turf Moor as a six-time title winner.

Centre-back: Henning Berg – Blackburn Rovers (1992)

Backed by Jack Walker’s millions, Blackburn Rovers spent big in the early nineties to emerge as a Premier League force. Henning Berg’s £400,000 arrival went under the radar comparatively, but the Norwegian was a key part of the club’s 1994/95 title success.

He later moved to Manchester United, the £5m fee at the time the joint-highest ever paid for a defender by a British club.

Centre-back: Sylvain Distin – Manchester City (2002)

Sylvain Distin turned down Newcastle to sign for newly promoted Manchester City in 2002 and made an instant impact as the Citizens consolidated under Kevin Keegan.

He was named City’s Player of the Year in his debut campaign, as City ended the Premier League season ninth. Distin later captained the club and made 207 appearances over his six seasons in Manchester.

Left-back: Graeme Le Saux – Blackburn Rovers (1992)

Blackburn snapped up Graeme Le Saux from Chelsea after promotion in 1992, with the left-back an almost ever-present during the club’s time at the top of the Premier League.

He scored three times and provided five assists during Blackburn’s title-winning season in 1994/95 and earned Rovers an English record £5m for a defender when returning to Chelsea in 1997.

Midfield: Joao Palhinha – Fulham (2022)

The arrival of João Palhinha was pivotal in helping Fulham break a yo-yo existence between the top two divisions.

Signed from Sporting Lisbon, Palhinha led the Premier League for tackles in consecutive campaigns. He helped Fulham to a top-half finish in his debut campaign and banked the club a healthy profit after leaving for Bayern Munich in 2024.

Midfield: Juninho – Middlesbrough (1995)

Juninho’s three spells at Middlesbrough saw him voted by Boro fans in a poll as the club’s greatest ever player.

The Brazilian was a shock signing in 1995 and made an immediate impact despite the club’s relegation, finishing as runner-up for the FWA Footballer of the Year award. He departed after Middlesbrough were relegated, but later returned for two further spells.

In 2004, he helped ‘Boro to their first-ever trophy with League Cup success.

Right-wing: Raphinha – Leeds United (2020)

Leeds signed Raphinha from Rennes after promotion to the Premier League in 2020. The Brazilian scored six times during his debut season, before playing a crucial role in survival the following season.

He netted 11 times, including a vital goal in the final-day win over Brentford that confirmed safety.

Barcelona signed Raphinha that summer, and he has since developed into one of world football’s top talents in Spain.

Left-wing: Youri Djorkaeff – Bolton Wanderers (2002)

Sam Allardyce somehow persuaded some huge names to Bolton in the early noughties, with Youri Djorkaefff the trailblazer for the marquee recruits.

The World Cup winner arrived from Kaiserslautern and scored 20 times in 75 league games for Bolton. A huge fan favourite.

Forward: Alan Shearer – Blackburn Rovers (1992)

Blackburn broke the British transfer record to sign Alan Shearer from Southampton, and it proved to be worth every penny.

Shearer scored 112 goals in 138 league appearances for Rovers, winning back-to-back Golden Boots and the 1994/95 Premier League title. When he left for Newcastle in 1996, it was for a world-record transfer fee.

Forward: Nicolas Anelka – Manchester City (2002)

Manchester City sent a statement with the signing of Nicolas Anelka in 2002, as the ex-Arsenal and Liverpool forward returned to the Premier League.

Anelka spearheaded City to a ninth-place finish after promotion, scoring 14 times in the Premier League. He netted 24 in all competitions the following season during an impressive period at Maine Road.

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