(Thanks to Metfan for this piece)

In a busy and somewhat bizarre day of transfer activity, two spectacular last minute signings captured the imagination of supporters across the land. Yes, thats right, Dougie Freedman signed for Southend whilst Martin Cranie moved from Pompey to Charlton.

In our league, Peterborough strengthened their ranks with the loan signing of Gabriel Zakuani from Fulham. Crewe signed highly rated 20 year old defender John Brayford from Burton Albion. The MK Dongs snapped up Miguel Angel Llera on a free transfer from Hercules, whilst Cheltenham Town secured the services of the well travelled Lloyd Owusu from Yeovil. Walsall of course, signed no one.

League Two saw Dagenham and Redbridge sign Wesley Thomas from Fisher Athletic and Peggy Lokando fro Southend on a 3 month loan deal. Rotherham pulled off a bit of a coup with the acquisition of Omar Garcia on a free transfer from Primera Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao. Barnet improved their attacking options with a deal to sign John O’Flynn from Cork City. The topsy turvy year of AFC Bournemouth continued with first the signing of Shwan Jalal from Peterborough - only later it was announced that manager Kevin Bond had been sacked along with his coaching staff. Jimmy Quinn has taken over the managers job at the Cherries.

The Championship had loads of frantic activity on transfer deadline day. Plymouth pulled of a major coup in getting Belgian International Emile Mpenza on a free. Norwich have signed powerful frontman Antoine Sibierski from Wigan. Wolves were busy recruiting defensively with the signings of Matt Hill from Preston, Jason Shackell from Norwich and George Friend from Exeter City. Stephen Elliot traded clubs with Hill by signing for Preston from the Dingles. Rangers’ forgotten winger Alan Gow completed his loan move to Blackpool, while Burnley swooped to sign Scottish international Steven Thompson from Cardiff City.

The Premiership saw Everton, Stoke and Hull busy recruiting in a dramatic day. Everton secured the services of the Belgian International midfielder Marouane Fellaini from Standard Liege. Marouane impressed greatly in the recent champions league qualifiers against the tire stealers, and is somewhat of a major coup for one of Europes’ emerging talents. Everton also signed Carlo Nash as back up to Tim Howard. The Clayheads have re-signed Danny Higginbotham from Sunderland, as well completed the double swoop on the Championship with the late signings of Tom Soares from Crystal Palace and Michael Tonge from Sheffield United. Hull signed some random defender I cannot think of the name of yet, and the notable capture of Daniel Cousin from Rangers. Newcastle signed Nacho Gonzalez on loan from Valenica as well as the promising Xisco from Depor. It seems however the lack of high profile signings in this transfer window has forced Kevin Keegan out of a job - predictably. Fulham signed Julian Grey from ‘Walsall Young and Promising players FC’ (know more commonly as Coventry City) while Sunderland re-signed George McCartney (Paul’s brother) from West Aermmm.

The only real major European transfer deal was that of Ricardo Quaresma signing for Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan from Porto.

Oh and in other news Manchester United signed Berbatov and Man City signed Robinho.