The Best EFL Championship Signings Of All Time (Top 10 Ranked)

The Best EFL Championship Signings Of All Time (Top 10 Ranked)

The Championship continues to grow year by year, and not only for the endless entertainment it provides but also for the quality players it produces.

In recent times players, like Michael Olise and Ebere Eze, have gone on to make big moves because of their Championship performances. These moves came about because teams took a chance on them, and the risk paid off tremendously. From bargain buys to big-money gambles that paid off, here are the top 10 best signings in Championship history.

10 - David Nugent - Leicester City - Free Transfer

Known for his famous 1 cap and 1 goal for England, Nugent was a consistent goalscorer throughout his Championship career. With stints at an array of championship clubs, his most notable one was with Leicester. He scored 20 goals in their title-winning 2013-14 season, proving that age is just a number. However, he just missed out on some Premier League silverware… Unlucky for some.

On this day in 2007... 🗓

David Nugent.

One England cap.

One goal.
pic.twitter.com/xvmg2Euga7

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) March 27, 2023

9 - Riyad Mahrez - Leicester City - £450k

A crucial part of Leicester City’s Premier League title-winning season, some forget that Mahrez did in fact play in the Championship. Joining as a relatively unknown talent from Le Havre, his immense talent quickly shone through on the right wing, as he often cut in and used his wand of a left foot. A Championship title in the 2013-14 season was only the beginning for Mahrez though…

Riyad Mahrez - 2015/16
Player of the Seasonpic.twitter.com/3wy9fWQmuk

— ger (@goodayger) October 13, 2025

8 - Tom Cairney - Fulham - £3 million

Cool, calm and collected, Tom Cairney could pick out a pass for next week. Signed in 2015 from Blackburn, Cairney has gone on to make over 300 appearances for Fulham and scored in the 2018 play-off final. If you ask a Fulham fan their favourite player, don’t be surprised if Cairney is on more lips than not.

A message from Tom Cairney. pic.twitter.com/OKj9WDk4Y1

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) July 14, 2025

7 - Wes Hoolahan - Norwich City - £250k

Your average joey might not know who Wes Hoolahan is, but boy was he something special. A creative wizard for Norwich, he guided them to two promotions. A genius with the ball, some even called him “the Irish Messi”, a very fitting name. A true legend of the game and still kicking about at the age of 43.

The Streets Won’t Forget the name Wes Hoolahan!

What we could do with someone like him right now….pic.twitter.com/9l08r0eSx5

— IFB Media (@IFBMedia) October 9, 2025

6 - Troy Deeney - Watford - £500k

“Here’s Hogg, Deeneyyyyy!!!” One sentence that no football fan could ever forget. That goal alone would put him in this list, but 140 goals and multiple promotions are a good enough reason to. Built like a boxer, he was made for the Championship. No one ever messed with Deeney.

On this day in 2007… 🗓️

Cardiff signed Peter Whittingham! 🔵

He cost just £350,000…#CardiffCity
pic.twitter.com/g2arDR1d8v

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) January 11, 2023

5 - Billy Sharp - Sheffield United - Free Transfer

Arguably the biggest legend of them all, Billy Sharp is a true Championship icon. After a shoddy stint with Leeds, Sharp joined Sheffield United and scored over 100 goals for the club. Any average ball in the box, and Sharp would somehow turn up and score. In 2019 he became the highest-scoring English-born goal scorer of the 21st century - talk about breaking records.

Billy Sharp X Kasabian.#twitterblades #sufc pic.twitter.com/OReaIRNljs

— Mainly Things Sheffield United (@AllThingsBlades) September 11, 2024

4 - Adel Taarabt - QPR - £1 million

A literal genius with the ball, Albert Einstein would’ve been proud of what Taarabt could conjure up. He carried the 2010-11 QPR side to a Championship title after netting 19 goals and securing 16 assists. He was even named captain by Neil Warnock despite his weekly temper tantrums. However, Taarabt’s ability was the epitome of leading by example.

Adel Taarabt had his own teammates putting their hands on their heads 😂 pic.twitter.com/V4L2Rf2wOp

— Former Footballers (@FinishedPlayers) September 12, 2025

3 - Ivan Toney - Brentford - £10 million

At the time, fans saw this as an overpay. Toney quietened his doubters pretty quickly - 31 goals in his debut season is a hell of a way to shut people up. Oh, and don’t forget his goal in the 2021 Championship play-off final to send Brentford to the Premier League.…

People will look at Ivan Toney & think he’s just a 20 goal per season forward but he’s MUCH more than that! 🤯🤩pic.twitter.com/O4Hex9ezyx

— Dean (@DeanCFC_) August 27, 2024

2 - Peter Whittingham - Cardiff City - £350,000

When you think of Magic. Harry Potter? David Blaine? Gandalf? No.

Peter Whittingham’s left foot. The left-footed magician ran Cardiff’s team for nearly a decade, making over 450 championship appearances. One championship, one FA Cup final and one League Cup final – he has seen it all. Legend.

On this day in 2007… 🗓️

Cardiff signed Peter Whittingham! 🔵

He cost just £350,000…#CardiffCity
pic.twitter.com/g2arDR1d8v

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) January 11, 2023

1 - Aleksandar Mitrovic - Fulham - £22 million.

And taking the top spot, the Serbian King, Aleksandar Mitrovic. Whether he was dropping his opposition or banging in a hat-trick every so often, you could always expect something from the big man. He scored 43 goals in 44 games in the 2021-22 season in what was arguably the best Championship statistical season of all time, and he surpassed Brentford’s Toney for the most goals in a Championship season. Definitely money well spent.

Mitro's on 🔥 @FulhamFC sealed promotion back to the @premierleague tonight, winning the title after a thumping 7-0 win.

Aleksandar Mitrović scored 43 of their 106 goals 🤯 pic.twitter.com/l89jWwWy3V

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) May 2, 2022