The ludicrous rise of expenditure in the top-flight has finally begun to seep into the EFL, with Championship and League One clubs starting to invest heavily.
Notably, the amount of money being thrown around in League One cannot be underestimated. So, here are some of the standout loan and permanent deals that have been completed in the third-tier this summer, and how their impact may be crucial for their respective clubs.
Gabriel Slonina – Barnsley (Loan)
Despite being signed by Chelsea in August 2022, Slonina is still yet to play an official game for his parent club’s senior side. The 20-year-old was signed from Chicago Fire for around £8.5 million before add-ons. Several loan spells have taken the shot-stopper back to Chicago Fire, to Eupen, and now Barnsley.
The American goalkeeper was highly-rated by the Blues in the summer that he was signed, but has either fallen out of favour or been overlooked due to the sheer volume of recruitment in his position this summer.
However, following an adequate spell in the Belgian top-flight last season, Slonina has now been loaned out to Barnsley in League One for further development. It almost seems impossible to argue against the 20-year-old being the most talented ‘keeper in the division this year, having already proven himself in one of Europe’s top leagues.
🗣️ "I'm proud of the guys for the response we gave in the second half."
Gabriel Slonina discusses his Reds debut after a penalty shootout victory against Wigan Athletic last night. pic.twitter.com/fGNgbzIVSV
— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) August 14, 2024
Slonina will undoubtedly have a point to prove to Chelsea as the season progresses; he has already featured twice in League One and once in the EFL Cup for the Tykes, making 11 saves altogether.
Luke Berry – Charlton Athletic
As perhaps one of the biggest statement signings in League One this season, Berry was unveiled by Charlton as their new midfielder following the expiration of his contract at Luton Town this summer.
The 31-year-old is joining the Addicks with plenty of EFL experience, having been promoted from all three lower-league divisions during his career. Furthermore, Berry featured 17 times in the Premier League last season with the Hatters. To drop down to League One after such a recent top-flight campaign is an eye-catching bit of business for Charlton fans.
Nathan Jones’ side seemingly fought off Championship interest for this signing, to which the former Southampton boss has claimed that this is ‘exactly the type of calibre’ that that they’re wanting to attract.
In a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient, Berry scored his first goal at The Valley. This came in the form of a 92nd-minute winner which sealed all three points for Jones’ side. Charlton’s new number eight made an impressive five passes into the final third, and took six touches in the opposition’s box.
Jamie Donley – Leyton Orient (Loan)
This could possibly be one of the best loan coups in the third-tier this season. Donley, as a Tottenham Hotspur youth graduate, has already shown an abundance of talent and has been very impressive for his parent club’s academy sides, scoring 43 goals over a four year period.
The 19-year-old plays as an attacking-midfielder or a central striker, but plied his trade as a left-back during Spurs’ pre-season campaign this summer. Ange Postecoglu is clearly keen to develop Donley into a versatile asset and wishes to give the young Englishman an opportunity to play regular first-team football.
🗣️ "I think it is the right time for me to make my first loan move, and I think that Orient is the perfect club for me right now."
🗞️ Read the full story as Jamie Donley becomes the O's seventh signing of the Summer Transfer Window.#LOFC #OneOrient
— Leyton Orient FC (@leytonorientfc) August 16, 2024
The O’s have signed Donley on a one-year loan deal, which has seen him feature twice so far in League One. Both times, the midfielder has failed to get on the scoresheet, but this looks to be down to a lack of firepower in the team in general, rather than a personal flaw.
Undoubtedly, this will be a great platform for the 2005-born attacker to shine. Donley is highly regarded at Spurs and will hopefully start to settle into a rejuvenated Leyton Orient side this year. Tottenham fans will be keeping tabs on the 19-year-old development this season, with a bright future set to be ahead.
Lasse Sørensen – Huddersfield Town
With a fee of up to £500,000, this transfer could’ve easily been a Championship move for the Dane. Sørensen is another versatile player who flourished under Michael Skubala for Lincoln City last season and ended the campaign as the Imps’ top assister.
Huddersfield managed to lure the 24-year-old away from Lincoln with the prospect of an immediate return to the Championship next year. Having played for Stoke City and MK Dons, Sørensen is now full of experience in the EFL. The Dane can play anywhere along the right flank, with a large portion of his minutes coming from wing-back last season.
This is simply an incredible piece of business by the Yorkshire side, and their reward is already starting to show as Sørensen contributed two assists in their recent 2-1 victory over Stevenage.
As a player with 136 appearances for the Imps between July 2021 and June 2024, the 24-year-old looks to be a bright asset for a promotion push, with plenty of attacking quality from wide areas and a growing experience of the competitive spirit needed in such a division.
Oliver Norwood – Stockport County
A trend in this summer window has seen a fair few ex-Premier League stars find their new home in League One – another one of those is former Sheffield United midfielder, Norwood.
The 33-year-old could be one of the best players the division has seen if performances replicate that of his 252 appearances in the Premier League and Championship seasons with the Blades.
Stockport have begun life in League One excellently. A 6-1 massacre to Blackburn Rovers in the EFL Cup can be overlooked by their first three matches in their third division return. County have won all three so far, scoring seven and conceding none. Norwood was back to his best in a recent 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers, and exemplified his ability to dictate the tempo of a game as well as nullify attacking threats.
🗣️ "A player with his ability is a match winner"
Stockport's new signing Oliver Norwood on how he intends to get the most out of club star Louie Barry #bbcfootball #bbcefl #StockportCounty
— BBC Sport Manchester (@BBCRMsport) August 25, 2024
Impressive performances from Louie Barry and Kyle Wootton will likely take the plaudits, but the former Bladesman has seemingly risen the Greater Manchester side to another level. It still seems ludicrous that such a fine footballer, with recent Premier League experience, could now be a key part of a League One side vying for promotion.
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