EPL/SPL Transfer Deadline Day Round-Up

 The lingering effects of the global economic recession may taken some of the gloss off transfer deadline day, with far more loan moves than the mega-money transfer deals that were so commonplace just a few years ago, but there was still a flurry of wheeling and dealing before the January window slammed shut.

From an Australian perspective, the biggest move involved Socceroo striker Scott McDonald who completed a $6 million switch from SPL giants Celtic to Championship promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough. Unfortunately for McDonald, he will not enjoy the quality service provided by highly-rated winger Adam Johnson, after Middlesbrough sold arguably their most creative player to Manchester City for a deadline day highest fee of $10.7 million.

As for Celtic, they reacted to McDonald’s departure by drafting in Tottenham’s vastly-experienced frontman Robbie Keane on loan until the end of the season. The Irishman is set to form an exciting strike partnership with fellow new loanee Diomansy Kamara who has moved to Parkhead from Fulham and the Scottish giants completed a busy day’s business by securing the services of Dutch international defender Edson Braafheid, also on loan, from Bayern Munich.

Struggling Portsmouth, meanwhile, received a much-needed financial boost as goalkeeper Asmir Begovic joined Premiership rivals Stoke for just under $6 million and another cash-strapped club, Crystal Palace, also enjoyed a windfall as exciting midfield prospect Victor Moses was snapped up by Wigan for an undisclosed fee believed to be around $3 million.

Fulham secured three new recruits in the form of Nicky Shorey and Stefano Okaka, who joined on loan from Aston Villa and Roma respectively, along with young left-back Christopher Buchtmann who was snapped up from Liverpool for another undisclosed fee.

Fellow Londoners West Ham, meanwhile, boosted their Premiership survival prospects by recruiting no fewer than three new strikers, with Mido and Ilan arriving at Upton Park on loan and South African international Benni McCarthy completing a permanent move from Blackburn.