Top 10 January transfer signings

Luis Suarez was one of the best January signings of all time

Alex Johnson reviews some of the very best signings we've seen in the usually panic-stricken January transfer window.

The January transfer window is just weeks away and there are bound to be more panic-buys than inspired signings.

Here are some of the best captures of the last decade:

Nemanja Vidic

Moved to Manchester United from Spartak Moscow for 7million in January 2006 and, after a slow start, went on to become an Old Trafford stalwart.

He played in more than 200 Premier League games for United and the team was always weaker when he was injured or suspended.

United had the benefit of the Serbian's best years as his recent performances for Inter Milan testify.

Gary Cahill

Bolton's decline from Premier League stalwarts to Championship strugglers may already have been underway but the sale of Cahill for 7million to Chelsea in 2012 certainly accelerated their demise.

Now an England regular and performing admirably alongside John Terry at Stamford Bridge, Cahill has reached the heights that were predicted for him when he was at Aston Villa almost a decade ago.

Luis Suarez

Despite all the controversy, Suarez was one of Liverpool's best ever signings as their problems without him so far this season show.

The Uruguayan moved to Anfield from Ajax for almost 23million in 2011 and he found the net an incredible 69 times in just 110 Premier League appearances before his departure for Barcelona in the summer.

Patrice Evra

Signed in the same transfer window as Vidic, the Frenchman moved to United from Monaco for 5.5million.

Like Vidic his start to life at Old Trafford was not the best, but he eventually flourished and his defensive nous and attacking flair helped United dominate English football between 2007 and 2013 when they secured five Premier League titles.

Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool paid Chelsea 12million to sign the striker in January 2013 and he has finally realised his potential at Anfield.

After struggling at Manchester City and Chelsea, Sturridge formed a lethal partnership with Suarez last season as the Reds narrowly failed to land the Premier League title.

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Javier Mascherano

Rafael Benitez paid West Ham 18million to bring Mascherano to Anfield in 2007, and he was brilliant for the Reds before moving to Barcelona following Benitez's departure from Liverpool in 2010. If anything the Argentina international has got even better at the Nou Camp where he is often used in a more defensive role.

Mikel Arteta

Almost a decade ago David Moyes brought Arteta to Goodison Park, initially on loan from Real Sociedad. He was such a success, helping Everton finish fourth in 2004/05, that Everton signed him on a permanent basis at the end of that season for a cut-price 2million.

After 14 goals in 124 Premier League appearances for Everton, Arteta was sold to Arsenal where he has never quite managed to reproduce the excellent form he showed in his six years on Merseyside.

Brede Hangeland

Hangeland cost Fulham just 2.5million when they snapped him up from FC Copenhagen in 2008.

The Norwegian central defender was a virtual ever-present during his six-and-half year spell at Craven Cottage, featuring in more than 200 Premier League matches for the club.

Christophe Dugarry

The Frenchman scored five goals following his loan switch from Bordeaux in 2003 that did much to keep Birmingham City in the Premier League. He moved to St Andrew's on a free transfer at the end of that season but was soon on the move again, heading to Qatar in 2004.

Asmir Begovic

Stoke City benefited from Portsmouth's financial implosion when they snapped up the Bosnian goalkeeper for just 3.25million in 2010.

He has since become the Potters' No.1 and developed into one of the Premier League's most reliable shot-stoppers.