Top five new signings who impressed during pre-season 2024

Three Premier League signings made it to this coveted list.

The 2024-25 transfer window opened amid the backdrop of two major continental competitions, the Euros and Copa America. Despite these events, the echoes of the transfer saga reverberated across the footballing world. This transfer window saw lifelong dreams materialize, hopes rekindled and tears shed as fans bid adieu to some of their long-cherished stars.

Kylian Mbappe’s arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu sent shockwaves through the internet. Joao Palhinha became the new Mia-San-Mia loyalist. Moussa Diaby left the English Premier League to ply his trade in the top division of Saudi football. Joshua Zirkzee decided to make Old Trafford his new Theatre of Dreams. Euro 2024-winning captain Alvaro Morata, after rendering his services to Atletico Madrid, decided to switch sides to AC Milan.

Amidst the extravagant spending and record-breaking transfers, some players have already made an early impact for their clubs in the pre-season. In today’s feature story, we delve into these new signings who showcased their potential before the regular season kicks off. So, ladies and gentlemen, fasten your seatbelts as we embark on a rollercoaster ride to discover which new signings could become the next messiah for their new clubs.

5. Yankuba Minteh (Brighton & Hove Albion)

The Gambian centre forward, Yankuba Minteh, has garnered significant attention after his impressive performance in Brighton and Hove Albion‘s pre-season campaign, where he netted two goals. He orchestrated an early 15th-minute lead for the Seagulls against Kashima Antlers and subsequently found the back of the net against Tokyo Verdy.

The 20-year-old winger from Bakoteh previously accrued 27 appearances for Feyenoord while on loan from Newcastle United, contributing to the squad that clinched the KNVB Cup last year. Minteh, after an expedited call-up to the national team, left no stone unturned in impressing the gaffer. He scored his debut goal in a match against Congo, which culminated in a 2-2 draw. He recently inked a five-year contract with the Seagulls for a reported fee of $30 million.

4. Kasper Schmeichel (Celtic)

Indisputably, Celtic has enjoyed one of the most formidable pre-season campaigns across the continent. Not only did they remain unbeaten, but they also convincingly dismantled formidable adversaries such as Chelsea and Manchester City. The seasoned Danish international, Kasper Schmeichel, recently inked a one-year contract with the Scottish Premiership club.

Despite conceding nine goals in five pre-season friendlies, Schmeichel managed to secure a clean sheet against DC United. His performance was marked by crucial saves, denying some of the world’s elite strikers, including Erling Haaland. Prior to his tenure with the Celts, Schmeichel spent over a decade at Leicester City, amassing a record-breaking 414 appearances.

3. Yukinari Sugawara (Southampton)

Japanese international Yukinari Sugawara is poised to play an instrumental role in ensuring Southampton not only avoids relegation back to the Championship but also delivers a formidable display of football. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches, the right-back hailing from Toyokawa made over a century of appearances for AZ Alkmaar before transferring to the Saints.

In the pre-season, Sugawara has already made his mark by scoring one goal and providing an assist. His overlapping runs from the right flank have been nothing short of extraordinary. Despite his relatively short footballing career, he holds the distinction of having made the most appearances for AZ Alkmaar in UEFA club competitions.

2. Marc Guiu (Chelsea)

Stamford Bridge has unearthed a new prodigy in Spanish teenager Marc Guiu, who has already made a notable impact by amassing a goal and an assist for the Blues, despite their lacklustre pre-season campaign. Donning the new jersey number 38, Guiu has garnered significant praise from Guillem Balague, who described him as “a striker known for his efficiency in the box.”

Guiu’s playing style has often drawn comparisons to Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o. He was also the top scorer in the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2023. This young talent could potentially be the missing piece in Enzo Maresca’s tactical puzzle, capable of transforming the fortunes of Chelsea.

1. Pau Victor (FC Barcelona)

Imagine joining a club less than a fortnight ago and scoring a brace against their arch-rivals, who are also the reigning European champions. This seemingly fantastical narrative becomes a reality when the protagonist is Pau Victor, a 22-year-old talent from Sant Cugat del Vallès.

Standing at 6 feet tall, the Spanish winger made his El Clásico debut for FC Barcelona in their latest pre-season fixture. In moments when the Camp Nou faithful had lost hope, Victor emerged as a beacon for the Blaugrana. Despite playing only 65 minutes, he took six shots and scored twice, orchestrating Barcelona’s triumphant story against Los Blancos.

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