Neves and the top 5 Championship signings so far this summer

Ahead of the 2017-18 season, Championship clubs have been busy adding substantial quality to their squads in what will be, as ever, a ferociously fought campaign.

There have been some big money, big name, and big value moves so far with some proper shockers.

We’ve ranked the top five transfers to date…

1: John Terry – Chelsea to Aston Villa, free

Quite how this transfer happened, we’re still not sure. Former Chelsea captain, leader and legend John Terry signed on the dotted line with Midlands giants Aston Villa to much fanfare.

Whether the ex-England captain is up to the task of 40-odd games in a league as tough as the Championship remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, though, Terry will provide Steve Bruce and the Villans with some much-needed leadership on and off the field.

2: Tom Huddlestone – Hull to Derby, £2m

When you’re talking value signings, they don’t come much better than Tom Huddlestone for £2m. Derby manager Gary Rowett has pulled off a serious coup here.

An ex-England international, and still only 30-years-old, Huddlestone is a bargain. Tall, powerful and a superb passer, he can control midfields single-handedly.

3: Britt Assombalonga – Nottingham Forest to Middlesbrough, £14m

It’s only when you properly analyse Britt Assombalonga’s goal record that you realise Middlesbrough have got a serious goal machine on their hands. 30 goals in 47 games for Forest is quite outrageous.

£14m is a lot of money, though, and his injury record is poor, which is why he’s only down in third. If Garry Monk can keep him fit, he should easily bag 15-20 goals for this ‘Boro side.

4: Ruben Neves – FC Porto to Wolverhampton Wanderers, £15m

If John Terry signing for Aston Villa raised eyebrows, Porto’s wonder boy Ruben Neves’ move to the West Midlands will have removed faces.

Having broken onto the scene at just 17-years-old, Neves has fallen by the wayside a little in the last couple of seasons, but his potential remains massive.

With Jorge Mendes pulling the strings behind the scenes at Molineux now, this deal makes a lot of sense in that regard. But Wolves’ spending that kind of money on a player of Neves’ reputation is definitely a marker.

5: Aiden McGeady – Preston North End to Sunderland, £250k

Aiden McGeady’s move from Preston to Sunderland for just £250k smacks of a cracking deal.

With Simon Grayson taking the reins at the Stadium of Light, McGeady has seen fit to follow his manager there from Deepdale – and who can blame him?

Grayson revitalised the former Celtic winger’s career last season. The Republic of Ireland midfielder managed eight goals and nine assists over the course of the campaign and hopes will be high in the North East that he can repeat that this season.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing