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Transfer Window Round Up - Summer 2015
What a
difference a year makes. The summer transfer window of 2014
was loan players and cheap options galore with the end
result not surprisingly being a season long battle against
relegation which, if we are honest, was only successful due
to the fact there were somehow three worse teams in the
Championship than us.
But
credit Tony Bloom and Paul Barber - they've obviously learnt
their lesson as a a big wedge of cash has been splashed on a
mixture of proven Championship and higher performers - Bobby
Zamora, Liam Rosenior - exciting gems from foreign lands -
Tomer Hemed, Elvis Manu, Uwe Hunemeier - and young players
who should in theory have a a decent sell on value - Connor
Goldson, Jack Harper.
Throw
in the fact that, unlike in previous years we haven't cashed
in on any saleable asset as demonstrated by the clubs
determination to hold onto Lewis Dunk amid ridiculously
strong interest from Fulham and you have one of the best
transfer and certainly busiest transfer windows we've been
involved in for some time.
Here
is that full list of ins and outs:
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OUT: |
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Craig Mackail-Smith - Luton Town
£2.5m well spent - after four years at The Amex,
the clubs record signing was released on a free
transfer. He never really got going in a Brighton
shirt and although many will point to him playing as
a lone striker or that unfortunate injury, the fact
he has ended up in League Two speaks volumes. |
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Paddy McCourt
- Luton Town
Want to know how bad that first half of last
season was? Paddy McCourt coming off the bench each
week being the highlight of games. The Derry Pele
did enough in his year here to become a cult figure
but in truth Luton should prove to be more his
level. Hardly a surprise to see him released. |
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Aaron Hughes -
Melbourne City
Bought in last summer as the
Matt Upson experienced centre back replacement, the
form of Lewis Dunk and loaning of Greg Halford meant
he hardly featured after the opening weeks. One last
pay day in the sun awaits in Melbourne City. |
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Chris O'Grady
- Nottingham Forest
One league goal in his
first season with Brighton last year - and that
coming from the penalty spot - tells you all you
need to know. From day one he never looked good
enough for a side with top flight ambitions and
although he tried hard, it came as no surprise to
see him loaned to Forest for the season. |
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Kemy Agustien -
None
The ultimate example of what a cock up
David Burke made of transfers. He was paid big wages
to effectively sit around for two years doing
absolutely bugger all bar tweeting photos of his
fashion sense, the fast cars he could drive and
arguing about how he wasn't fat. Still without a
club.
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Vitajils
Maksimenko
- SV Mattersburg
Highly rated Latvian international left back
never really got a chance to show what he could do,
managing just one league game in two and a half
season amid a succession of loan spells. Released,
since when he returned to his homeland with FK
Liepaja and now onto Austria with SC Mattersburg. |
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Others released
- Shamir Fenelon (Crawley Town),
Bradley Barry (Swindon Town) |
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IN: |
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Tomer Hemed - Almeria
Israeli international
striker hit eight goals for Almeria in La Liga last
season before moving for an undisclosed fee. Big and
strong, he already has three goals in four league
games this season and is well on the way towards
becoming a fan favourite. Being married to Miss
Israel 2008 probably helps. |
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Uwe
Hunemeier - Paderborn
£1.4m was splashed on
the Big F***ing German defender. Originally it
looked as though he was here as a Lewis Dunk
replacement but Dunk's new deal means even greater
competition at centre back, although the way the BFG
has started it is hard to look at him as anything
other than first choice. |
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Bobby Zamora - Queens Park Rangers
It's the
deal everybody wanted to happen and it finally did.
The Albion legend returned home after his release
from QPR. His experience and eye for goal will come
in handy over the course of the year, as will his
merchandise value going on the number of "Zamora 25"
shirts already on show. |
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Liam Rosenior - Hull City
Hull City Tigers
fans were gutted to see this man leave them on a
free such was his popularity on Humberside. Capable
of playing in either full back position as well as
as a defensive midfielder, his arrival has already
bought a sharp improvement in the form of Bruno.
Will no doubt make his mark soon. |
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Gaetan Bong
- Wigan Athletic
After three consecutive
seasons of loaned left backs, the Albion finally
have one of their own in the Cameroon international.
Dreadlocks, loves to attack, flair, named after
drugs paraphernalia, pulls a ridiculous face in
selfies. The former Wigan man is well on his way to
fan favourite status already. |
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Niki
Maenpaa -
VVV Venlo
Chris Hughton wanted experienced
back up to challenge David Stockdale and that is
what the Finland international brings. Has already
pulled off a couple of breathtaking saves in his
COCup run outs and the improved competition for
places has also seen Stockdale start the season
well. |
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Jamie
Murphy -
Sheffield United
Both Bristol City and The
Leeds United were interested in the Flying Scotsman
but for once, the Albion beat off competition from
divisional rivals to land a transfer target for a
fee of £1.5m. He hit 21 goals and got 22 assists in
122 games for t'Blades and will be hoping to take
that form up a level. |
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Connor Goldson
- Shrewsbury Town
An undisclosed six figure
fee was paid for the goal scoring centre back in
what looked to be a blatant move to replace Dunk. As
it is, both are now here and the highly rated former
Shrews captain will probably go under the one for
the future bracket being just 22-years-old. |
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Elvis
Manu -
Feyenoord
The Dutch under 21 international
hit 14 goals in 37 games last season for Feyernood,
persuading the Albion to part with £1.5m for his
services. Fast and direct, he can play anywhere
across the attacking line or out wide and also
offers a great opportunity to make a plethora of
Elvis-based puns. |
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Jack
Harper - Real Madrid
Well it isn't every day
you sign somebody from Real Madrid. The Spanish
giants decision to scrap their C Team was the
Albion's gain as the highly rated Scottish striker
header to The Amex. One for the development squad
currently but big things will be expected of him. |
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Vahid
Hambo -
Inter Turku
"The Finnish Ibrahimovic" has
five goals in 11 games for clubs in his native land
as well as three in two for Finland under 21s.
Arriving for an undisclosed fee, the club have said
he will be in the development squad, a call up to
his full national team suggests he has talent. |
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Positives: |
Negatives: |
Rating: |
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- Bobby Zamora's
injury record is a concern - could we maybe have
done with one more striker in?
- We may be heavy
for central midfielders, especially with Andrew
Crofts still to return, but none of them bar
Beram Kayal have much creativity.
- Some presumably
high earners such as Danny Holla and Adrian
Colunga are still on the books when it is
obvious Chris Hughton has no intention of using
them.
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9.1
/10 |
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