Football League: Five new signings who could make big impacts in the Championship

By Steven Oldham

Ross McCormack's £11m move to Fulham may have captured the headlines this summer in the Championship, but the ex-Leeds striker is not the only man looking to make an impression for his new team on the season's opening weekend.

In this blog, I will look at five players who have moved onto pastures new over the summer break and who could play key roles in their club's fortunes as the season unfolds.

Of course, there are many players who have moved. Too many to mention in one blog post! So I've picked five players, all at different clubs, with a mixture of youth and experience.

Let me know who you think will be your team's most influential new signing here or on Twitter.

Britt Assombalonga
Peterborough United - NOTTINGHAM FOREST (£5.5m)

Britt Assombalonga (Getty Images)


The 21-year-old striker's cool £5.5m move from Peterborough to Forest is one that instantly catches the eye. Completed only yesterday, it represents something of a risk for Forest boss Stuart Pearce in that the Congolese player is unproven at Championship level.  However, he's signed a five-year deal at the City Ground, and it is high time he planted some roots. He's never stayed long at a club since debuting for Watford in 2011 - two loan spells in non-league followed before starting to make a name for himself at League Two Southend, where he spent the 2012/13 season on loan.  He scored 15 goals that season from 43 appearances, but would move on once more to Peterborough, who signed him from Watford for a club record £1.5m fee.  He proved to be one of the stars of the season in League One as the Posh missed out on promotion via the playoffs. Nevertheless, at a higher level, he played the same amount of games but increased his goal tally to 23. He has broken another club transfer record and it will be interesting to see how he performs at this level given he never really got the opportunity at Watford.  He's honed his skills further down the leagues but this could be his biggest chance to shine and an international call-up would not be a surprise - if he commits his future to DR Congo. (he is also eligible for England having moved here as a child)

Dean Moxey
Unattached - BOLTON WANDERERS

Dean Moxey (teamtalk.com)

Left back Moxey arrives at the Reebok after being deemed surplus to requirements by Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis after three and a half seasons with the London club. The versatile 28-year-old is now reunited with boss Dougie Freedman, whom he served under at Selhurst Park.  He is obviously well thought of by the Scot, who signed him for Palace from previous club Derby in 2011. He has plenty of experience at this level, having played four seasons in the division for Palace and Derby, including appearances in the playoffs when Palace went up. He will not be phased by the physical side of the Championship - he's not a player to duck out of a challenge.  He will also be an example to follow for the squad's younger players. Bolton could be challengers this season - they have seasoned campaigners such as Moxey, Neil Danns, and Kevin McNaughton, and Jay Spearing will continue to relish the responsibility of being captain. Jermaine Beckford is a proven goalscorer.  


Scott Hogan
Rochdale - BRENTFORD (Undisclosed fee)

Scott Hogan (Brentford FC)

Another front man rewarded for a fine season last time out, 22-year-old Scott Hogan is set to make the two division jump from League Two to the Championship.
His 17 league goals last season helped Rochdale to automatic qualification to League One, but Brentford stepped in and took him on after their own promotion to the second tier.
This will undoubtedly be the biggest test of the Salford-born attacker's career to date. A product of Rochdale's youth system,  he was eventually released without a game to his name, with an unused sub credit the nearest he came. He put the work in, and took in spells at no less than six non-league clubs before returning to his first club for the 2013/14 season. It proved an inspired decision by boss Keith Hill, as the striker weighed in with a quarter of the team's goals for the season. He will be frustrated to be ruled out of the season's early games with an ankle injury, and The Bees will be looking to him to use his pace and accurate finishing to help them establish themselves in the division.

Keiren Westwood
Unattached - SHEFFIELD WEDNEDSAY

Keiren Westwood (Sky Sports)

Sheffield Wednesday will not be short of quality in goal this season after they signed up Irish international Keiren Westwood on a free following his release from Sunderland. Existing 'keeper Chris Kirkland has also signed up for another season and the strength in depth the Owls now have in this department should give them a solid grounding to build on. At 29, Westwood should be entering his best years, and he will be looking to put a frustrating period at Sunderland behind him where he only made 19 appearances in three seasons, behind Simon Mignolet and then Vito Mannone in the pecking order. He will also be hoping to regain the Irish number one shirt from Millwall's David Forde who has made the most of Westwood's inactivity. Good both in the air and one-on-one, Westwood is already familiar with the Championship style of play, having spent three seasons at Coventry where he was highly impressive, making the PFA Team of the Year in his first season at this level. Should he get the nod over Kirkland tomorrow against, it will give a clear sign that Stuart Gray sees him as first choice.

Conor Coady
Liverpool - HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (Undisclosed)

Conor Coady (TeamTalk.com)

Promising midfielder Conor Coady is set to spend his second season in Yorkshire having signed for Huddersfield Town on a three year deal. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Sheffield United in League Two so this move represents a step up from both last season and youth football at Liverpool. He's signed up for three years, and the Terriers should be applauded for their foresight in doing so - he's highly thought of both at Liverpool and in the England youth set up, where he is the current under 20 captain. Leadership seems to come naturally to him having held the same role in Liverpool's under 21s. He proved he had the legs last season, making 50 appearances for Sheffield United in all competitions, and weighed in with six goals. A disciplined, committed player, his presence in a holding role will provide more attacking minded players such as club player of the year Adam Clayton the confidence to get forward and join the attack.

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