The Premier League season is set to begin, with several new players joining clubs across England. These newcomers include highly-rated young internationals and established players from European leagues, many of whom are expected to make an impact in their debut seasons.
Key midfield additions
Aston Villa has brought in Johan Manzambi, a forward-thinking midfielder from Freiburg. Manzambi, who is 20, impressed at the World Cup, helping Switzerland reach the quarter-finals. Villa hopes he will help compensate for the departure of Morgan Rogers.
Brentford has signed Mamadou Sangaré, a Mali international, after his season with Lens. Sangaré, 24, was a notable midfielder in Ligue 1 and received the Marc-Vivien Foe Award, which recognises the best-performing African player in the French top flight. He ranked second in Ligue 1 for tackles won and third for ground duels won last season. Sangaré also created 38 chances and averaged 1.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes.
Everton has added midfielder Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough. Hackney, 24, played a significant role in Middlesbrough’s run to the Championship play-off final and was named the division’s Player of the Year. He made over 150 appearances for Middlesbrough and scored five goals in each of his last two Championship seasons, also providing seven league assists last term.
Coventry City has signed Caleb Yirenkyi from Nordsjaelland. Yirenkyi, a 20-year-old Ghana international, featured at the 2026 World Cup and was named Young Player of the Year in the Danish Superliga. He has earned 15 senior caps for Ghana and scored a stoppage-time winner against Panama on his World Cup debut.
Attacking and defensive talents
Newcastle United has acquired Bazoumana Touré, a 20-year-old winger from Hoffenheim. Touré provided nine assists last season, helping Hoffenheim qualify for the UEFA Europa League. He is primarily a left-footed winger who predominantly plays from the left, acting more as a creator. His 44 chances created in open play last season were only surpassed by five players in the Bundesliga. Touré also represented Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup, where they reached the last 16.
Arsenal has brought in Christos Tzolis, who was a highly effective creator for Club Brugge last season, creating 135 chances, 35 more than any other player in the Belgian Pro League. Tzolis’ deliveries from set-pieces yielded 52 opportunities, demonstrating his importance in dead-ball situations. He made a strong first impression during the Community Shield success over Manchester City with two assists.
Brighton & Hove Albion has signed Zadok Yohanna, a 19-year-old Nigerian winger from AIK for a reported £21.5 million, a record sale for Swedish football. Yohanna played 13 Allsvenskan games for AIK and averaged 8.5 dribble attempts per 90 minutes prior to his move. He also tallied the most take-ons driving into the box (6) and take-ons in the box (15) in the Allsvenskan.
Ipswich Town has acquired Emersonn, a 22-year-old Brazilian striker from Toulouse. He scored six times in 28 Ligue 1 appearances last season. Emersonn is described as quick, tall, technically sound, and effective at both running in behind and dropping deep to link play. He ranked eighth among centre-forwards in Ligue 1 for carries ending in a shot or chance created (17).
In defence, Bournemouth has signed Antonio Silva, a 22-year-old Portuguese centre-back from Benfica. Silva has earned 20 senior caps for Portugal and was part of Benfica’s 2022/23 Portuguese title-winning side. He is expected to replace Marcos Senesi, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur. Former Premier League defender Abel Xavier has described Silva as a player with “security, maturity, game vision, assertiveness, aggression, and leadership”.
Brighton will also see Luka Vuskovic, a Croatian centre-back, join for his first Premier League campaign. The 19-year-old previously joined Tottenham from Hajduk Split before a loan spell at Hamburg in Germany. Vuskovic scored six goals in the Bundesliga last season, more than any other defender, and his overhead kick was named the league’s goal of the season. He will replace Jan Paul van Hecke, who also moved to Tottenham.
Nottingham Forest has added Ousmane Diomande, a 22-year-old Ivory Coast international from Sporting Lisbon. Diomande won back-to-back Portuguese league titles in 2023/24 and 2024/25 with Sporting and was part of their run to the 2025/26 Champions League quarter-finals. Forest chief football officer George Syrianos described him as “a powerful, commanding defender…with a winning mentality”.
Other notable transfers
Fulham has signed Gonzalo Garcia from Real Madrid. The 22-year-old made 30 LaLiga appearances for Real Madrid last season, scoring six goals despite averaging just over 30 minutes per game. Garcia also scored four goals at the FIFA Club World Cup at the start of the 2025/26 campaign. With Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez having left Fulham, Garcia could take on a larger attacking role.
Liverpool has brought in Victor Munoz, a Spanish winger, after his season with Osasuna. Munoz, 23, can play on either wing or through the middle. He scored six LaLiga goals last season and has earned two senior caps for Spain. His pace and versatility are expected to be valuable for Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola.
These players are among the many new faces expected to make an impact as the 2026-27 Premier League season commences on Friday.
Source: theanalyst.com
