GOAL runs through the players who have made the biggest impacts at their new clubs this term, with some surprise names making the final cut
After a drama-filled campaign packed with a record-breaking number of fixtures, we finally know the champions in each of Europe's top five leagues. Liverpool clinched their second Premier League title in Arne Slot's first year at the club, Barcelona wrestled the La Liga title back from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich did likewise to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, Napoli dethroned Inter in Serie A and Paris Saint-Germain romped to their fourth-successive Ligue 1 crown.
There were also some fairy-tale stories in the domestic cups as Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Bologna and Stuttgart ended their long respective trophy droughts, while Tottenham did the same after beating Manchester United in an all-English Europa League final. All that is left now is to crown the Champions League winners, with PSG and Inter set to face off at the Allianz Arena in what promises to be a blockbuster showpiece event.
A handful of the most successful clubs of the season have thrived without making too many changes to their squads, but most have reached the next level by either forking out big money on new players or arranging shrewd loan deals and free transfers. Recruitment has been key this year, and so many signings have managed to exceed expectations after stepping out of their comfort zones.
The question is: who stands out as the best of the bunch? GOAL ranks the top 20 signings of the 2024-25 European season below…
Getty20Antony (Real Betis) – loan
"I've found myself again because I'm happy, things are going well," Antony told after curling home a sublime last-minute winner for Real Betis against Espanyol at the start of May. That was one of nine goals the Brazilian has scored for Betis since his January loan move from Manchester United, and he's set up another five to boot, which has helped mend his damaged reputation after two-and-a-half miserable seasons at Old Trafford.
Betis team-mate Isco has even suggested the club must "start a crowdfund so he can stay at least another year", with United reportedly set to demand around £40m ($34m) from any potential suitors interested in signing the 25-year-old outright. If Antony also inspires Betis to a Conference League final victory over Chelsea, that price may go up, with the former Ajax star now looking like one of the most exciting and effective wingers on the continent once again.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport19Moise Kean (Fiorentina) – £11m
Former Everton flop Moise Kean didn't score a single goal for Juventus last season, so no one expected much from him after he made the summer switch to Fiorentina. But, as it's turned out, the Artemio Franchi Stadium has been the spiritual home Kean has been looking for over the last six years.
The Italy international bagged 19 goals in just 32 Serie A appearances for La Viola, helping them secure a sixth-placed finish and European qualification. Kean's resurgence has been remarkable, and the imposing centre-forward may go on to become his country's main man at the 2026 World Cup if he can keep up his prolific club form next season.
Getty Images18Xherdan Shaqiri (Basel) – free
Xherdan Shaqiri returned to his boyhood club Basel last summer after cutting ties with MLS outfit the Chicago Fire, and the 33-year-old has since shown he still has plenty to offer in the European game. Basel stormed to their first Swiss Super League title since 2017 as Shaqiri rediscovered his very best form, racking up an incredible 39 goal contributions, including a stunning 10-minute hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Lugano.
The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star has added several spectacular strikes to his insane career highlight reel, and there may well be more to come when Basel return to the Champions League in 2025-26. "A different wind is blowing through this club again," Shaqiri said after landing his fourth domestic crown in Switzerland; that's pretty much all been generated from his unique brilliance.
Getty Images17Nico Paz (Como) – £5m
Real Madrid decided to sell highly-rated youngster Nico Paz last summer, with Italian outfit Como snapping the attacking midfielder up in what now stands as one of the bargain deals of the season. The 20-year-old has come of age in Serie A, posting 14 goal involvements after slotting seamlessly into Cesc Fabregas' 4-2-3-1 system.
Paz was the driving force behind Como's unlikely run to a 10th-placed finish, proving himself as an astute playmaker with a real eye for goal. Fabregas has described the Argentine as a "complete player" with "very big potential", and that could still be unlocked at Madrid, who reportedly have the option to re-sign him for just £7m either this summer or next.
