The Npower Championship is one of the most unpredictable leagues in the world. Any team has the ability on their day to win and get promoted.
All 24 clubs in the division will be harbouring ambitions of making the Premier League and probably more than two thirds of the sides will see this as a realistic goal.
It has been a busy summer and Total Football’s Simon Wright rounds-up 15 of the key transfers so far.
Leon Best, Newcastle United to Blackburn Rovers - £3m
Relegated Blackburn Rovers have made the most expensive purchase so far, paying Newcastle United £3m for striker Leon Best.
The 26-year-old moved to Ewood Park after scoring ten goals in 46 games for the Magpies, since moving from Coventry City in January 2010.
Best has scored a hat-trick in the top flight before but has struggled to find consistent form throughout his career.
Blackburn will need him to be on top form if they want to make an immediate top flight return, especially as Yakubu has left England behind for a new career in the Chinese Super League.
Joe Lewis, Peterborough United to Cardiff City - FREE
It was a case of so near, yet so far for Cardiff City again last season. Malky Mackay has been smart though to bring in one of the most talented goalkeepers in English football, Joe Lewis.
The former England Under-21 player played nearly 200 league games for Peterborough United and was an integral part of Darren Ferguson’s selection at London Road.
Cardiff needed cover in goal after releasing League Cup hero, Tom Heaton at the end of last season.
Lewis will battle David Marshall for the no.1 jersey but whoever the Bluebirds do put in goal, they will do the required job with the minimum of fuss.
Chris Kirkland, Wigan Athletic to Sheffield Wednesday - FREE
Former England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has had a largely frustrating career due to injury.
Newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday have captured the goalkeeper on a free transfer from Wigan and as long as he stays fit, it is an astute piece of business by Dave Jones.
The 31-year-old has only played seven Premier League matches in two years at the DW Stadium and has often been sent out on loan in recent seasons to get match experience.
With more playing time almost a guarantee for the Owls, Kirkland will want to prove that he isn’t the forgotten man in football.
Matt Mills, Leicester City to Bolton Wanderers - UNDISCLOSED
Bolton Wanderers will be hoping to bounce back at the first attempt to the Premier League and the most important signing they have made so far, is that of defender Matt Mills.
Mills, who cost underachieving Leicester City over £5m last season, has switched to the Reebok Stadium after falling out of favour with Foxes manager, Nigel Pearson.
The 25-year-old did still make 31 appearances in 2011-12, although his form was nowhere near where it had been at both Doncaster Rovers and Reading.
The Trotters will hope to reignite his potential this season.
Wayne Bridge, Manchester City to Brighton - LOAN
Experienced left back Wayne Bridge has dropped down a division, in a bid to restart a stalling career.
Bridge will spend the season at Brighton, having been one of Gus Poyet’s main summer targets. He only made one first-team appearance for Manchester City last term.
He has spent time at West Ham and Sunderland on a temporary basis in the last two seasons, as the 31-year-old has struggled to find any consistency since private revelations came out in 2010 that ruined his friendship with former team-mate, John Terry.
Danny Murphy, Fulham to Blackburn Rovers - FREE
Having played more than 700 professional matches in his career, Danny Murphy’s acquisition to Lancashire by Steve Kean has to be seen as an excellent piece of business.
The 35-year-old (pictured) wanted first-team football on a regular basis, which is why he decided to leave Fulham at the end of last season, despite being the captain at Craven Cottage.
Murphy will help the youngsters in the squad; provide some much-needed morale at the club and even at his age is still an excellent and committed player.
His best days might be behind him but there are a load of positives for Kean in this transfer.
Jason Shackell, Derby County to Burnley - £1.1m
Despite playing every minute of every game last season, Derby County surprisingly allowed Jason Shackell to join Burnley for £1.1m.
Leicester City and Leeds United were believed to be admirers of the 28-year-old but he has made the move to Turf Moor instead.
The move angered Derby supporters, as rumours of financial strife at Pride Park gather more momentum.
Derby have found a replacement but I reckon Burnley have picked up one of the best buys of the summer so far.
Richard Keogh, Coventry City to Derby County - £1m
Derby manager Nigel Clough faced some serious stick from supporters for selling Shackell to Burnley but he has brought in an excellent replacement.
Richard Keogh has signed from relegated Coventry City on a three-year deal, as the Rams stole in to purchase a long-term target of both Bristol City and Cardiff City.
Keogh played 95 times for the Sky Blues in two years and was their best player by some distance in a dreadful season at the Ricoh Arena which ended with relegation.
With Shaun Barker already out for the entire season through injury, Keogh will be Derby’s captain this season too.
Mido, Zamalek to Barnsley - FREE
29-year old Mido has never really settled at any club he has been that but he has made another return to English football, this time with Barnsley.
He is one of the biggest signings the Tykes have made in years.
The former Tottenham, Middlesbrough and West Ham attacker has signed a one-year deal to play his football in Yorkshire in 2012-13.
If Mido can stay focused for a full season, his goals could keep the Oakwell side above the relegation zone.
Jonathan Woodgate, Stoke City to Middlesbrough - FREE
Ex-England defender Jonathan Woodgate has return to his hometown club, Middlesbrough.
The 32-year-old, who has amassed £35m in transfer fees and suffered plenty of injuries throughout his career, returns for a second spell on Teeside.
He arrives from Stoke City, after spending just one campaign at the Britannia Stadium.
Woodgate is still an organised and motivated member of any backline and clearly sees Boro’s ambition in attempting to return to the Premier League after a lengthy absence.
Darren Ambrose, Crystal Palace to Birmingham City - UNDISCLOSED
Lee Clark has currently made four new additions to his Birmingham City squad since taking over from Chris Hughton.
His key signing so far has been the signature of 28-year-old midfielder Darren Ambrose.
Ambrose, whose career started at Ipswich Town over a decade ago, has been playing his football for Crystal Palace for the past three seasons.
Excellent from set pieces, creative on the ball and often scores vital goals, he could the missing link that the Blues were often searching for last season.
Tyrone Barnett, Crawley Town to Peterborough United - £1.2m
Peterborough has been the busiest club in the market so far, adding seven players to their roster.
One of these is the permanent signing of 26-year-old Tyrone Barnett from newly promoted Crawley Town.
Barnett was signed on a loan deal in February with a view to a permanent move which has now taken place.
He scored 15 times for Crawley last season before his move and netted four times in his first six appearances for Posh, showing his quick adaption to a higher level of football.
Aaron Wilbraham, Norwich City to Crystal Palace - FREE
Experienced striker Aaron Wilbraham will be a good addition to a Crystal Palace side that has often been low on numbers in recent seasons.
The 32-year-old was released by Norwich City at the end of last season, after a tough time at Carrow Road, where he was often behind Grant Holt & Steve Morison in the pecking order.
He had a great time at MK Dons before his switch to Norwich in January 2010 and his determination and knowledge of the lower leagues could be pivotal in regards to the Eagles chances of breaking into the playoffs.
Scott Loach, Watford to Ipswich Town - UNDISCLOSED
Boyhood Ipswich Town fan Scott Loach has signed for the East Anglian side, moving on from Watford.
He played 164 times for the Hornets and has represented England at Under-21 level.
Last season was a desperate one for the Tractor Boys and Paul Jewell will be under immense pressure to steady a leaky defence, which shipped five at home to Southampton and seven last season at Peterborough amongst other results.
Loach is one of the best goalkeepers in the Championship, so it is an excellent move in the market by the former Bradford City and Wigan Athletic boss.
Jamie Vardy, Fleetwood Town to Leicester City - £1m
Leicester City might have been far quieter this season than they were in the transfer market last season but they have broken the transfer record for a non-league player.
Fleetwood Town, who were promoted from the Blue Square Bet Premier at the end of last season, sold Jamie Vardy to the Foxes for £1m, which could rise nearer £2m depending on clauses.
Vardy scored 34 times last season in his only year with Fleetwood as Leicester beat off competition from Cardiff City and Peterborough United for his services.
It is bold move by Nigel Pearson and it could well be a gamble that ultimately pays off.
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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