The 8 best EFL Championship signings of the season so far – ranked | OneFootball

FLW has looked at the players who have made an immediate impact at their new clubs this season

The Championship season has, once again, lived up to the hype and drama which usually surrounds developments in the second tier of English football.

With the campaign heading towards the season-defining final stretch, there are several clubs who are still looking to achieve their short-term goals of promotion to the Premier League, a place in the post-season lottery of the play-offs or survival against an unwanted relegation into League One ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

In recent times, there has certainly been much more respect given to the quality on show in the Championship, be that from a defensive, midfield or attacking standpoint.

Several players who are currently seen starring in the Premier League or for the England national team can credit clubs in the Championship for enhancing their overall development in the long run, and there are numerous current stars who will hope to follow a similar path in the years to come.

Similarly, clubs in the second tier have also developed a reputation for unearthing some top talents through their recruitment networks, whether that be for a sizeable permanent fee, a bargain figure or on a loan basis.

With a fair portion of the season now gone, Football League World have named the eight-best signings made by the 24 clubs in the division.

8 ? ? Caleb Taylor - Millwall FC

Starting off in eighth is the acquisition made by Millwall that saw Caleb Taylor move to The Den from divisional rivals, West Bromwich Albion, in the final week of the summer transfer window.

The Lions have a strong reputation when it comes to signing talented centre-backs in recent seasons, and the 23-year-old has certainly followed in the footsteps of Tristan Crama and Japhet Tanganga on that front, as he also replaced the latter who moved to Sheffield United.

Taylor only made 12 appearances for his former club despite the fact many Albion supporters wanted to see his homegrown talent utilised on a regular basis at The Hawthorns.

However, it is those of a Millwall persuasion who are certainly seeing his defensive nous and threat in attacking situations play a key role in their pursuit of the Premier League, whilst only paying a reported £2.5m in the process. With Taylor also signing a lengthy contract, there is a strong possibility the London club could make a sizeable profit on his services in the coming years.

7 ? ? Patrick Bamford - Sheffield United

Next up is the signing of Patrick Bamford at Sheffield United, which was turned into a fresh 18-month deal in January after the experienced striker's initially impressive impact at Bramall Lane.

It had been well-documented that the 32-year-old and Chris Wilder hadn't seen eye-to-eye in the past, but the duo have certainly put that behind them, and Bamford has become a cult figure in S2 for the number of goal contributions which he has already racked up in less than 20 appearances.

Although his time at Leeds United didn't end in an ideal manner, the experienced forward's turnaround in fortunes was also showcased by the fact he was the subject of interest from Ipswich Town in January, before the Blades were able to extend his contract by a further year-and-a-half.

6 ? ? Sorba Thomas - Stoke City

Stoke City's season has been one of overall inconsistency, with Mark Robins' side seeing their chances of a first play-off finish since being relegated in 2018 take a major hit, largely down to the injuries of key players.

However, one man who has certainly been as consistent as possible for the Potters in the opening months of his spell in North Staffordshire is Welsh international winger, Sorba Thomas, who was signed from Huddersfield Town for the remarkable sum of just £1.5m.

The 27-year-old has already delivered plenty of eye-catching goals and assists for City, with his overall total of contributions for the season already surpassing the 15-mark, and he is still likely to have a major say on how the club's fortunes pan out between now and May 2nd.

There is also a chance the 23-time international could be featuring at the FIFA World Cup this summer, should Wales be successful in their play-off campaign.

5 ? ? Carl Rushworth - Coventry City

Coventry City's transfer activity this season has been a case of 'quality over quantity' under Frank Lampard, and it has certainly paid off, with the Sky Blues in a strong position to end their 25-year exile from the Premier League.

Whilst already having a strong attacking nucleus, the ex-Chelsea and England icon made defensive solidity a key priority in the summer, and Carl Rushworth has certainly provided that between the posts after joining on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion.

After two previously mixed loan stints in the division with Swansea City - where he impressed - and Hull City, the 24-year-old is already into double-figures when it comes to clean sheets, and has the highest number of goals prevented across the division's goalkeepers' union.

So impressive has he been, earlier in the season, it was even suggested that the Seagulls loanee could have made it into Thomas Tuchel's England squad as an understudy to Jordan Pickford.

4 ? ? Azor Matusiwa - Ipswich Town

In fourth place is Ipswich Town's powerful midfield lynchpin, Azor Matusiwa.

Whilst many have looked at the creative forces at Kieran McKenna's disposal for the pre-season title favourites, it is fair to say that they wouldn't have been allowed to flourish in such a manner if it wasn't for the signing of the Dutchman from Ligue 1 side, Stade Rennais on a four-year deal for a reported £7.8m.

The Ajax academy graduate's combativeness in the centre of the park, alongside Napoli loanee, Jens Cajuste, has been imperative to the way in which Town like to progress the ball up the pitch as soon as possible, as well as an unreleting pressing game that can be hard to bypass when the 27-year-old is at his very best.

Matusiwa was, not too long ago, linked with a move to the current Premier League champions, Liverpool, and it isn't hard to see why, as many believe he is of a top-level standard.

3 ? ? Patrick Agyemang - Derby County

Both Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang have been extremely shrewd additions to Derby County's attack this season. However, the £7.3m USMNT international has already proven to be a handful in his first-ever Championship campaign.

After missing the opening four games of the season through injury, the 25-year-old hasn't looked back since netting his first goal for the club against Southampton on October 4th. Despite being a physical centre-forward, Agyemang has also provided a nice variety of finishes and assists for his colleagues thus far.

Due to his immediate impact, the 12-time international is already attracting interest from Premier League suitors such as Leeds United and Crystal Palace, and it has been claimed that the Rams are looking to increase their reported £20m valuation, whilst hoping he will remain at Pride Park for as long as possible after signing a four-year contract.

2 ? ? Leo Scienza - Southampton FC

Taking the runner-up spot in this list is Southampton's Brazilian winger, Leo Scienza, who arrived from Heidenheim on Deadline Day in the summer window.

Whilst Saints' overall form has been up-and-down throughout the season under Tonda Eckert and his predecessor, Will Still, the same cannot be said regarding the 27-year-old's performance levels, which have seen him already hit a strong double-figure tally of goal contributions.

Although he signed a four-year contract at St. Mary's in the summer, there is an ever-growing fear amongst supporters on the South Coast that their star performer may not be with the club for too long, particularly if they are unable to regain their Premier League status at the first time of asking.

1 ? ? Oli McBurnie - Hull City

Taking top spot, though, is Oli McBurnie, who Hull City managed to sign on a free transfer back in August amid strong competition from several rivals such as his former clubs, Sheffield United and Swansea, as well as Ipswich and Birmingham City.

The experienced striker got off to a strong start with two goals and as many assists in his first three appearances for the Tigers, and hasn't looked back since as City remain in the promotion shake-up despite a barrage of injury issues and well-documented transfer restrictions.

McBurnie himself was sidelined for a two-month period between October and December, but has already accumulated over 20 goal contributions in all competitions, and is on track to better the most productive season of his career, when he scored 22 times and provided four more assists for the Swans seven years ago.