As the 2023/2024 club football season reaches its final stages here are the 10 best signings of the season across different leagues.
With over 100 club transfers completed across different leagues in Europe, players have continued to prove their worth on the biggest of football stages and as such should be recognised for not just how well they have done but also how far they have come and how their games have improved.
Bearing this in mind we have compiled a list of 10 football players who stood out for us as the best signings of the 2023/2024 club football season based on their stats and their contribution to their various teams.
How are we judging the best player signings of the 2023/2024 club football season?
Compiling a list of the 10 best player signings of the 2023/2024 club football season can only be achieved with clear yardsticks of measurements in terms of why these players should be on the list and why others did not make the list.
Please note the list takes into consideration the contribution of the players for the entire season. Here are our units of measurement:
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Stats (Goals, assists, clean sheets etc)
Each player's performance is considered regardless of their position on the field. Forwards are assessed based on metrics like goals and assists, while defenders are evaluated on stats such as interceptions, clearances, and blocks. Factors like clean sheets determine goalkeepers' positions on the list and saves.
Impact and contribution to the team
The best way to measure the success of signings in the 2023/2024 club football season goes beyond basic stats. It's important to consider the impact that the selected player had on their team. Did they improve the overall play of the team? Did they become the difference-maker, or were they the final piece in unlocking the team's potential to reach new heights?
Who are the best player signings of the 2023/2024 club football season
10. Granit Xhaka
A transfer from Arsenal that came as a shock to many was that of Granit Xhaka on a free transfer. The Swizz midfielder had joined Bayer Leverkusen at the start of the 2023/2024 club football season, a move which would prove to be crucial for Xabi Alonso's Bundesliga title victory. This earns him a spot on our best signings of the 2023/2024 season list.
It is safe to say that although Xhaka maintained his role from Arsenal at Leverkusen, the midfielder played a more advanced or evolved role in the midfield position proving to be an integral part of the team's overall play and build-up to attack which proved lethal in all games earning them an unbeaten streak in over 48 games across all competitions.
A key aspect of Bayer Leverkusen's game in their Bundesliga winning season was their ability to be effective in attack progression, this simply means utilising the skills of key players to swiftly and intelligently turn defence into attack and attack into defence.
An outlook of Xabi Alonso's setup and overall gameplay Granit was one of such players whose skills were deployed to make this possible and it was well executed.
Aside from being a player who helped in the attack progression of his side Xhaka also played a vital role in scoring goals and providing match-winning assists throughout his entire play at the club and it is no surprise he was one of the players on the nomination list for Bundesliga the team of the season.
9. Declan Rice
A move that lived up to its expectations in its first season was that of Declan Rice to Arsenal. For an estimated fee of 100 million pounds plus add-ons, Declan Rice completed a move from West Ham to the rivals Arsenal.
Many had described the move as a match made in heaven given the initial struggles of Arsenal a season prior to his move with having a utility midfielder that could easily be relied on in defence and also lead the attack of the Gunners a role Granit Xhaka had excelled in before his move to Leverkusen.
For many, this was a vast upgrade from the Swiss who was deployed in that role in the past with many counting on Rice to replicate his form at West Ham for the club.
Declan Rice indeed replicated his form for Arsenal providing the best anchor support for Mikel Arteta's men. He switched roles sometimes switching to an attacking midfielder and taking on the challenge of creating chances for forwards but the England international played most of his games as the central midfielder.
His stats in terms of tackles and interceptions were spot on and Rice also took his chances in front of goal as well recording both goals and assists for Arsenal in their 2023/2024 club football campaign.
8. Marcus Thuram
In the final of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Marcus Thuram displayed his skills while representing France on the global stage. The French international completed a stunning move to Inter Milan and with a scudetto win in his first season at the club we can all say the rest is history.
His move to Inter Milan was arguably what we would categorise as an underrated move with it going under the radar and many not paying attention to his progress at the Serie A side. Thuram in 44 appearances for Inter, netted 15 goals and played a huge role in his side winning the league title.
Thuram was a focal point of Inter Milan's attack because of his speed, aside from that, his refined technique and goal-scoring prowess during his tenure at Borussia Mönchengladbach, was also another aspect of his game that could not be dissuaded.
7. Kai Havertz
The former Chelsea star and Germany international's move to Arsenal was one of mixed emotions for both Chelsea and Arsenal fans. For Chelsea fans, a player who had played a huge role in their Champions League winning season had made a move to their arch-rivals.
Arsenal fans also expressed their doubts about the transfer given Kai Havertz's poor run of form the season before he completed the move.
Kai Havertz is one of the signings of the season that silenced doubters and naysayers. The German was off to a slow start in the Premier League for Arsenal but Mikel Arteta showed his full support for him and Havertz never looked back from that moment on.
Many finally understood the role of the German in the team. In the 2022/2023 season, Arsenal struggled to maintain their impressive run of form in the second half of the season with no fresh or dynamic change to their style of play and with players also struggling to cause what many categorise as a menace in the box of the opposition.
Havertz became Arteta's ace and the flexibility of Arsenal's style of play was unmatched. The German proved to be a reliable option in the position of a forward, attacking midfielder and in most cases a player with a free role.
It was of no surprise when it was revealed that in 2024, Kai Havertz had the second-highest number of goals and assists behind the Young Player of the Season, Cole Palmer in the Premier League.
He also recorded his first highest number of goals and assists in his senior career with Arsenal scoring 16 goals and recording over 7 assists in all competitions.
6. Victor Boniface
Nigeria's very own Victor Boniface was an integral addition to the unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen side. The Nigerian international completed a move to Leverkusen in July 2023 on a 5-year contract which would see him remain at the club till June 2028.
Victor Boniface’s tenure at Bayer Leverkusen has been marked by impressive performances and significant contributions to the team’s success. The Bundesliga Rookie of the Season scored a total of 20 goals in all competitions and provided 10 assists in 2023/2024 for Leverkusen.
Boniface's season was impacted by an adductor injury, causing him to miss several matches as well as the AFCON 2023 for Nigeria. He staged an impressive comeback and played a vital part in Leverkusen's performance. After coming back, he contributed to securing a place in the Europa League semi-final and was instrumental in preserving the team's undefeated streak in the German Bundesliga.
5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Following a woeful campaign with Chelsea, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang picked himself back up in the French Ligue 1 with Olympic Marseille where he exhibited why he is one of the best strikers the world has ever seen to date.
In the 2023/2024 campaign for Marseille, Aubameyang participated in a total of 50 matches in all competitions, where he scored 29 goals and provided 11 assists. His French Ligue 1 record showed a tally of 16 goals and 8 assists in 33 games, highlighting his significance for his side.
His addition to Marseille's squad brought a fresh dynamic to their offence, as his speed and goal-scoring prowess caused issues for defences throughout France and Europe.
He also snatched the spot of the highest goalscorer in the UEFA Europa League where he scored a total of 10 goals for his side and was one of the reasons they proceeded to the semi-finals of the tournament.
4. Serhou Guirassy
It is safe to say Serhou Guirassy's first season in the German Bundesliga kicked off with a bang. Serhou Guirassy who joined VFB Stuttgart in July 2023, kicked off the season in a highly flying note and this remained the case till the end of the 2023/2024 season in the Bundesliga.
Serhou scored a total of 28 goals in 29 appearances for Stuttgart playing an important role in securing a spot for his club as one of the teams that qualified for the 2024/2025 Champions League season as Stuttgart finished second on the Bundesliga table.
Beyond his goal-scoring, Guirassy’s presence on the pitch has been a catalyst for Stuttgart’s attacking play, with his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into play being particularly noteworthy.
His goalscoring ability has earned him the spot of one of the most sought-after players in the upcoming June 2024 transfer window with top sides already showing interest in bringing the African to their respective club sides.
3. Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham’s time at Real Madrid has been nothing short of phenomenal with the England international gradually becoming a club hero at the Santiago Bernabeu. Following his highly anticipated move from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid in July 2023, Jude Bellingham in the 2023/2024 season at the club fit right in with the youngster winning the hearts of players and fans alike.
Aside from his overall game play, the midfielder recorded a total of 24 goals and made 12 assists in 42 games across all competitions for Real Madrid a stat which is admirable for a player who plays the midfield role at the club.
It is safe to say that Bellingham's presence at Real Madrid brought a fresh dynamic to their midfield, as his vigour and skill in pushing forward aligned seamlessly with the team's playing style.
2. Cole Palmer
September 2023 will always be a period Chelsea fans will always remember as Cole Palmer who was crowned the Young Player of the Season completed a move estimated to be worth almost 60 million euros from Man City to Chelsea.
The England youngster has been praised for his contribution and huge role in Chelsea turning the 2023/2024 season around and securing a spot to play in Europe in the 2024/2025 club football season.
Cole Palmer has showcased exceptional goal-scoring and playmaking skills during his time at Chelsea, establishing himself as a crucial member of the team.
Throughout the 2023/2024 Premier League season, Palmer has appeared in 33 matches, scoring an impressive 22 goals and contributing 10 assists. His overall performance in all competitions amounts to 27 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances.
All eyes are on the England international ahead of the fixtures for the Euro 2024 competition with expectations still remaining high going into the Olympics 2024 and the new club football season.
1. Harry Kane
Harry Kane's transfer to Bayern Munich was truly sensational. Upon arriving in Munich, the English captain was expected to perform like a hero, akin to a secret agent ready to save the day.
The stage was set: Kane, the prolific striker, was anticipated to finally clinch the trophies that had evaded him during his time at Tottenham. In return, Bayern had acquired one of the world's finest strikers to strengthen their attack.
It seemed like a foolproof setup with a stellar roster of players and a trophy-winning coach in Thomas Tuchel. However, things didn't unfold as expected, as Bayern Munich had their worst season since the 2012/2013 season when they failed to win any trophies.
Nonetheless, Kane's individual performance was outstanding, with the England captain netting an impressive 44 goals in 45 matches across all competitions.
His clinical finishing and goal-scoring prowess were undeniable, It's fair to say that he surpassed himself, as his 30 Bundesliga goals set a new personal record, surpassing his previous best of 41 goals for Tottenham in the 2017-18 season.
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