Top La Liga Imports To The Premier League With Arsenal And Liverpool Legends Among Five Title Winners

The best of those that joined from Spanish clubs.

As Diego Costa and Angel di Maria have shown at Chelsea and Manchester United respectively this season, Premier League clubs often benefit from raiding La Liga.

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So in honour of that CaughtOffside has picked out the 10 best imports from the Spanish top tier.

10. Pepe Reina – Villarreal to Liverpool, 2006

Although was eventually eased out of the club by current Reds manager Brendan Rodgers this goalkeeper won the Golden Glove award three years running whilst at his peak.

9. Gus Poyet – Real Zaragoza to Chelsea, 1997

Impressed at Stamford Bridge for three years before heading across the English capital to Tottenham Hotspur and is now a manager at Sunderland.

8. Pablo Zabaleta – Espanyol to Manchester City, 2008

When City first had a huge influx of money they purchased this right-back from Catalonia and Zabaleta is something of an unsung hero having been an established member of the starting XI since then.

7. Fernando Torres – Atletico Madrid to Liverpool, 2007

Fans in West London may disagree with this one, but whilst with the Merseysiders this Spain international was truly brilliant and it’s a shame his career in England has since been somewhat tarnished.

6. David Silva – Valencia to Manchester City, 2010

Since this attacking midfielder first arrived at the Etihad Stadium no other player in the league has provided more assists than him and Silva has been key in two title successes.

5. Cesc Fabregas – FC Barcelona to Arsenal, 2003

Signed as a 16-year-old by the Gunners the midfielder would go onto captain the club before returning to the Nou Camp in 2011 and then heading to the Bridge last summer.

4. Xabi Alonso – Real Sociedad to Liverpool, 2004

Less than a year after joining the club the Spaniard was helping win an historic Champions League final and would spend five years on Merseyside before leaving to impress at Real Madrid.

3. Yaya Toure – FC Barcelona to Manchester City, 2010

Could never quite establish himself for the Catalans and so City snapped Toure up, converted him to arguably the best box-to-box midfielder in world football and he guided them to two titles.

2. Claude Makelele – Real Madrid to Chelsea, 2003

Considered one of the shrewdest signings of the Roman Abramovich era as to spend so much on a defensive midfielder was considered stupid by many, but Makelele is largely credited for Jose Mourinho’s success at the club.

1. Sergio Aguero – Atletico Madrid to Manchester City, 2011

The latest of all the transfers, but also the most exciting as Aguero arrived with genuine world-class ability and has proven that since with his impressive goalscoring record.