James Beattie (Sheffield United to Stoke £3.5m, 2009)
A little too eager for a Christmas party, Beattie would fall out with manager Tony Pulis and be moved on to Rangers, but his arrival at the Britannia Stadium in 2009 was a masterstroke. Stoke, in their first season in the Premier League, were lacking presence up-front. Beattie was noted as a player who hadn't quite made it. In retrospect, the two were made for each other and Beattie's seven goals in 16 games helped Stoke to crucial victories and eventually, rather comfortable survival.
A little too eager for a Christmas party, Beattie would fall out with manager Tony Pulis and be moved on to Rangers, but his arrival at the Britannia Stadium in 2009 was a masterstroke. Stoke, in their first season in the Premier League, were lacking presence up-front. Beattie was noted as a player who hadn't quite made it. In retrospect, the two were made for each other and Beattie's seven goals in 16 games helped Stoke to crucial victories and eventually, rather comfortable survival.
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