All 24 Championship clubs best signing this summer ranked | OneFootball

Football League World has ranked every Championship club's best signing this summer from worst to best

Football League World has attempted to rank every Championship club's best signing this summer, factoring in fees, potential impact in the short and long-term, and various other aspects.

The 2026 summer window is officially shut, as clubs in the Championship lock in their squads for the next few months until at least the January window, with some incredible deals having been completed during that period.

Some clubs have taken the window as an opportunity to spend big and really lay down a marker for the upcoming campaign, whereas others have chosen to be more reserved and not spend beyond their means.

Ranking every Championship club's best signing was always going to be a difficult task, having to take into account a myriad of factors and variables that, like the nature of the English second tier, could change in the blink of an eye, though Football League World has attempted to do so nevertheless.

24 ? ? Jayden Fevrier – Blackburn Rovers

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Starting us off is Blackburn Rovers' Jayden Fevrier, as Tony Mowbray's side parted ways with around £500k to bring the winger to Ewood Park permanently this summer from Stockport County.

With just 15 Championship appearances under his belt at 23, with most of his career up to this point having been played in League One and League Two, the Englishman lacks the experience Blackburn need at this level, and though it may be harsh, somebody had to kick us off.

Also following him through the doors were Moussa Baradji, Sam Morsy, and Gedy Beyuku.

23 ? ? Atsuki Ito – Bolton Wanderers

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Japanese midfielder Atsuki Ito is a relative unknown, but on the face of it, could prove to be a real coup for Bolton Wanderers.

The 28-year-old has been a regular in the Belgian top-flight for Gent across the past couple of years, having previously been a mainstay in the Japanese top-flight.

The Trotters brought in some 13 players this summer, and choosing the best out of those was always going to come down to a matter of opinion, with few having much experience in the Championship, as Ito's pedigree of playing in European competition just edges him past the likes of Jayden Nelson and Gaizka Larrazabal.

22 ? ? Jack Moylan – Cardiff City

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Twice-capped Irish international Jack Moylan swapped Championship newbies Lincoln City for Cardiff City this summer, in what was a club-record fee received for the Imps.

The 25-year-old midfielder shone at Cincil Bank last season, though with no previous experience in the Championship under his belt, his impact cannot be guaranteed, and being their marquee signing, the onus will be on him to keep them up this year, and whether he can do so remains to be seen.

21 ? ? Abu Kamara – Portsmouth

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Norwich City academy graduate Abu Kamara enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Portsmouth during the 2023/24 campaign, grabbing 18 direct goal contributions under John Mousinho, helping the club back to the Championship.

After spells with Hull City and Getafe, Kamara joins for around £2.5 million, and at 23, just about edges out Rocco Shein and Marko Milovanovic as our pick.

20 ? ? Liam Kitching – Sheffield United

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Liam Kitching was an almost ever-present under Frank Lampard last season at Coventry City, helping the Sky Blues upon their return to the Premier League after over two decades away.

However, having fallen out of favour at the CBS Arena, the 26-year-old has been allowed to leave, as Sheffield United have secured his services on loan for the season, with the fact that it is just a loan with no option to buy the only reason he ranks as low as he does.

19 ? ? Alfie Devine – Preston North End

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Preston North End paid a club-record fee of around £6 million from Tottenham Hotspur after the midfielder enjoyed an excellent year on loan at Deepdale last time around.

Paul Heckingbottom's side have begun the Championship season poorly, and will be looking to Devine to pull them away from danger, though whether the 22-year-old can put the weight of the club on his back is up for debate.

18 ? ? Mikkel Ladefoged – Lincoln City

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Lincoln City scored 32 goals from set pieces on their way to the League One title last season, and will be relying on their speciality from dead-balls to avoid a relegation battle this time around.

Mikkel Ladefoged reportedly joined the club for around £4.3 million this summer from Swedish side Västerås SK, and standing at six-foot seven-inches tall, the Danish striker could be lethal from this area, and it would be no surprise to see the 23-year-old consistently targeted from those areas this season.

17 ? ? Iker Bravo – Watford

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Watford's transfer business has revolved heavily around sister club Udinese this summer, bringing in some six players from the Italian outfit, including Spanish forward Iker Bravo.

Bravo cost the Hornets under €4 million (£3.4 million), and at 21, the Spaniard has experience with both Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, and could be a sensation in the Championship.

Though, like a lot of Watford's signings, this could go one way or another.

16 ? ? Karlan Grant – Charlton Athletic

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Karlan Grant was allowed to leave West Bromwich Albion on a free transfer upon the end of his contract this summer, and has subsequently returned to the place where he began his career.

At 28, Grant ought to be in the prime of his career, and with over 250 Championship games under his belt, Charlton Athletic and Nathan Jones could have a major bargain on their hands in the form of Grant.

15 ? ? Ethan Galbraith – Stoke City

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Stoke City have the highest net-spend of any club in the Championship this summer, and though those total fees depend on future add-ons, the Coates family have splashed out once again as the Potters try and finally break into the top half after a decade.

Luke Graham for around £2 million could prove to be the best value-for-money signing they have done in the past few months, though Ethan Galbraith looks to be the real deal; whilst his reported £10 million is not insignificant by any stretch of the imagination, there is a reason Swansea City demanded that much for the Northern Irish international.