Since the Premier League was established in 1992, it has become the most-watched domestic football competition in the world. The Premier League was known for its drama both on and off the pitch, with transfers that shaped the identity of clubs and created moments that have defined eras. Some of these signings have not only transformed teams but also changed the direction of the league.

Here are five Premier League transfers that left an undeniable mark on English football.

Eric Cantona to Manchester United (1992)

When Eric Cantona signed for Manchester United from Leeds United for £1.2 million, no one, not even Sir Alex Ferguson, could have predicted just how big an impact he would have on both United and the Premier League. United had desperately tried to win a league title for 26 years, but they could never manage to get it over the line. The arrival of Cantona gave United the spark they ever so needed, as he was a vital part of why United won their first Premier League trophy.

United would go on to become a dominant powerhouse in the 1990s, with Cantona being the central point of the team. He brought flair, charisma, leadership, and ridiculous footballing ability to United. During his time in the Premier League, he helped United win four league titles and two FA Cups. His antics both on and off the field brought lots of eyes to United, although he was not always in the headlines for good reasons. Cantonas’ impact cannot be denied, and he will go down as one of the most iconic players in league history.

Thierry Henry to Arsenal (1999)

When Arsene Wenger signed Thierry Henry from Italian giants Juventus for £11 million, the signing was originally met with scepticism from Arsenal fans. Henry had struggled in Italy and was never able to find his feet, but Wenger saw the potential he had when they were both at AS Monaco. So, Wenger decided to take a risk and sign the struggling Henry for a significant transfer fee; this decision would arguably go down as the best in Arsenal history.

Henry instantly became a hit at Arsenal, and he was adored by the fans, whilst striking fear into the hearts of opposition fans. During his tenure at Arsenal, Henry became their all-time leading goal scorer, a two-time Premier League and FA Cup winner. His blistering pace and technique made him a nightmare for defenders to deal with. Henry was a key part of Arsenal’s famous ‘Invincibles’ season in 2003/04, when Arsenal achieved the unthinkable and went unbeaten across the entire league campaign. The signing of Henry defined both Arsenal’s golden years, Wenger’s eye for talent, and the sport as we know it today.

Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United (2003)

In 2003, manager Sir Alex Ferguson made the bold decision to sign a very young Cristiano Ronaldo from Sporting Lisbon for £12.24 million. Upon signing for the Red Devils, he was labelled as too raw, and certain fans were not sold on the Portuguese winger. But under the guidance of Sir Alex, Ronaldo would develop into one of the greatest players that football has ever seen.

During his time at United, Ronaldo won three Premier Leagues, a Champions League, and even a Ballon d’Or. His dazzling footwork, outrageous shot power, and relentless work ethic made him a global superstar. United were a dominant force during the 2000s, and this played massively into the development of Ronaldo, as each week he was getting the opportunity to showcase his skills in front of millions worldwide. Eventually, he caught the eye of Spanish giants Real Madrid, who signed Ronaldo for a record-breaking fee of £80 million.

Didier Drogba to Chelsea (2004)

News of Roman Abramovich’s takeover of Chelsea in 2003 changed the landscape of English football entirely. Abramovich brought a huge transfer to Chelsea, who went on a shopping spree to sign the best players they could. Amongst the many high-profile signings, Chelsea signed Didier Drogba from French side Marseille for £24 million. Jose Mourinho was extremely outspoken when it came to the signing of Drogba, as Chelsea had the funds to go for the biggest names. But Mourinho insisted on Drogba as he saw potential in him to be one of the best strikers in the world.

Drogba was the ultimate big game player; across his nine seasons at Chelsea, he scored in nine major finals – shaping in play betting odds on a regular occurrence. He won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, and a Champions League for Chelsea. Under the management of Mourinho, Drogba became a powerhouse who was known for his physicality and dominance in the air. Without him, Chelsea may not have seen the success that they did, as Drogba redefined the striker position and brought a skillset that the Premier League had never seen.

Virgil Van Dijk to Liverpool (2018)

By the mid-2010s, Liverpool was a team full of attacking talent, but they lacked defensive stability. That all changed in January 2018 when they signed Virgil van Dijk from Southampton for £75 million, then a world-record fee for a defender. Rival fans mocked the signing when it was first made, as they did not believe a defender who played for Southampton should be worth that staggering fee. Liverpool’s manager Jurgen Klopp showed faith in Van Dijk from the second he joined.

Van Dijk’s impact was immediate. His leadership, composure, and aerial dominance transformed Liverpool’s defence into one of the best in Europe. Within two seasons, Liverpool won the Champions League, and in 2020, they ended their 30-year wait for a league title. The transfer demonstrated the importance of investing in the right player, even at a record-breaking fee. Van Dijk’s arrival helped turn Liverpool from a laughing stock due to their lack of success in the Premier League to a formidable and dominant side.