Mathieu Flamini – Marseille to Arsenal
Flamini was an unknown entity in England when Gunners manager Arsene Wenger signed the France international in 2004, but after four years at the Emirates Stadium the midfielder went onto prove he was a real talent.
Alongside Cesc Fabregas the pair made a formidable partnership in the middle of the field and Flamini was a key player in Arsenal’s march on the Champions League final in 2006.
Brad Friedel – Liverpool to Blackburn Rovers
Having failed to establish himself at Anfield, the Reds allowed the American to leave Merseyside in 2000 for Blackburn.
However, at Ewood Park the goalkeeper reinvented himself and went onto become one of the finest ‘keepers in the Premier League during eight years of success with Rovers, before receiving further accolades with Aston Villa and now Tottenham.
Gary McAllister – Coventry City to Liverpool
In 2000 Reds manager Gerard Houllier surprised everybody by signing the 35-year-old McAllister, but it didn’t take long for the Scot to shine at Anfield.
The midfielder helped Liverpool to the treble of UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in 2001 and has since been described by Houllier as his ‘most inspirational signing.’
Jay-Jay Okocha – Paris Saint-Germain to Bolton Wanderers
The third Bolton signing on the list and certainly the most exciting, with the Nigerian lighting up the Premier League for four years with some outstanding skill and cheeky goals.
Okocha will forever remain a Bolton legend for the influence the midfielder had on the side’s success in the mid-2000s and even the best defenders in the Premier League found the African unplayable at times.
Mark Schwarzer – Middlesbrough to Fulham
Upon Boro’s relegation in 2008 their stalwart Australian ‘keeper departed the club for Fulham after a decade of service in the north east.
At 35-years-old some thought Schwarzer was past his best however, but the stopper continued to prove everyone wrong by becoming the highest capped foreigner in the Premier League during five years at Craven Cottage and now at 40, has just signed for Chelsea.
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