Joe Strange - Top five Premier League signings of the season

Published: 24 May 2010 - 13:30:37

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With the dust now settled on another Premier League campaign, and the World Cup just over two weeks away, it's the perfect opportunity to take a look back over last season.

And while we have the South African showpiece to keep us entertained for some of the summer, the transfer window promises to add some extra excitement as we wait for the 2010-11 season to get underway.

The rumours and gossip look set to intensify as June 1st draws near, with countless players linked with moves to sunny England. But after 380 games over the last nine-and-a-half months, which summer signings proved themselves to be the real deal?

5. Johnny Heitinga - Atletico Madrid to Everton - £6m

I might be accused of being a little bit biased with this one but after a shaky start to his Everton career Johnny has established himself as a key component of David Moyes' side.

Although most impressive in central defence, the Dutch international is equally comfortable in midfield and now looks like a bargain at just £6 million.

4. Joe Hart - Manchester City to Birmingham City - loan

Newly promoted sides always need a strong defence if they're to have any chance of avoiding the drop and with Joe Hart in goal Alex McLeish's side had arguably the league's best goalkeeper.

Shay Given's understudy at Eastlands, Hart has won himself a place in England's World Cup squad while earning rave reviews for his performances in the midlands.

3. Richard Dunne - Manchester City to Aston Villa - £5.5m

Unfairly dumped by Mark Hughes and Manchester City, Dunne made the move to Villa and immediately formed a successful partnership with fellow new signing James Collins.

Part of one of the most solid defences in the entire league, the former Everton man could've helped City to fourth place if he'd been given the chance to stay at Eastlands.

2. Darren Bent - Tottenham Hotspur to Sunderland - £10m

After 24 goals in his first season at the Stadium of Light, Bent has gone a long way to recovering from his nightmare spell at Spurs.

The second highest English scorer, Bent has forced himself into Fabio Capello's provisional 30 man squad for South Africa after a string of fine displays for Steve Bruce's side.

1. Carlos Tevez – Manchester City - £25m

With a seemingly endless transfer budget, Manchester City splashed out £25m on Argentine ace Tevez.

After an excellent debut season at Eastlands in which he almost fired City to Champions League football, Tevez probably had Sir Alex Ferguson wondering why he didn't take up the option to sign him permanently.