Five of the biggest Championship departures in the summer transfer window

The Championship, England’s second tier and one of the most competitive football leagues across Europe, is growing with each season. From international breaks being introduced, to record-breaking fees, the calibre of players in the Championship is rapidly increasing, as demonstrated by how difficult it is to get out of the league.

Indeed, those that are relegated from the Premier League find it extremely challenging to bounce back the first time of asking. While Leicester City and Southampton returned to the summit last time out, plenty of top flight stalwarts have been trapped in purgatory despite once being favourites in the Championship promotion odds.

Occasionally, teams will keep the core of their sides together following relegation, but this summer has seen a plethora of big departures from the Championship, with players moving on to ventures new in order to compete with the best in the business.

In this article, we take a look at five of Championship departures throughout the summer transfer window so far and assess their chances of succeeding at their new clubs.

Archie Gray – Leeds United to Tottenham Hotspur

Leeds United looked like frontrunners for a return to the Premier League for large periods of last season. Their squad was balanced, and they were in fine form until capitulation in the final weeks cost them automatic promotion.

After defeat in the Championship play-off final at Wembley to Southampton, Leeds fans were resigned to losing some of their star players, including Archie Gray.

The midfielder joins Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham Hotspur, signing for a reported £35 million to provide the Australian with more depth in midfield. Gray is likely to remain a rotation player for his first few months in north London but is an ideal long-term replacement for the departed Pierre-Emile Højbjerg.

Crysencio Summerville – Leeds United to West Ham United

From one Leeds departure to another, Crysencio Summerville was always likely to leave Elland Road after the loss at Wembley, with the Dutch winger linked with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, Summerville’s signature would end up going to West Ham United, providing an ideal stepping-stone under new manager Julen Lopetegui.

The £25 million signing joins an exciting Irons attack, consisting of last season’s stand out player Mohammed Kudus, as well as fellow new signing Niclas Füllkrug – a seasoned goals corer in the Bundesliga who arrives from Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.

Jacob Greaves – Hull City to Ipswich Town

Of all the promoted sides from last season, Ipswich Town will have the most to do in the Premier League, and Jacob Greaves impressed for Hull City last season, the centre-back joins the Tractor Boys in their bid for survival.

Kieran McKenna will try to continue his possession-focused style of play in the top flight, with Greaves central to keeping sides at bay. Considering that the Championship betting odds had Ipswich as outsiders last season, they will once again be hoping to prove people wrong, and the £15 million addition to the back line adds stability and athleticism to the side. 

Jaden Philogene – Hull City to Aston Villa

Another player departing Tim Walter’s Tigers over the summer is Jaden Philogene. Hull’s seventh-place finish meant they just missed out on the play-offs, and therefore were unable to keep some of their star talent at the MKM Stadium.

Philogene returns to Aston Villa for £18 million, just a year after his departure from the West Midlands.  The 22-year-old scored 12 goals last term and will find plenty of gametime on the wing at Villa Park, with Moussa Diaby leaving for Saudi Arabia earlier in the summer, giving the England under-21 man a chance to impress.

Gabriel Sara – Norwich City to Galatasaray

Norwich City have produced some fine players over the years, from Teemu Pukki to Emiliano Buendía. The next off the Carrow Road production line is Gabriel Sara, who was brilliant last season and earnt a move to Galatasaray.

The Brazilian joined the Canaries in 2022 and made 85 appearances for Norwich, where he will ply his trade in next season’s Champions League in a £15 million move.