Transfer deadline day: 10 strangest January moves from Andrey Arshavin and Andy Carroll to Peter Odemwingie

A look back at the unexpected and bizarre moves that have lit up the January transfer window over the years

Since the introduction of the January transfer window in the 2002/03 season, the winter deadline day has thrown up some shocks, surprises and drama as teams have scrambled to get deals across the line or panic bought to their hearts content in an effort to strengthen title challenge or avoid the drop.

Clubs at both ends of the table tend to do business, and while the window is not as busy as its summer sibling, there tends to be a fare few whacky stories to share as clubs panic buy and players battle clubs, agents and even the weather to seal a deadline day move.

Over the years there has been plenty of confusion on one of the busiest days of the season, with Dimitar Berbatov’s Manchester move and Andrey Arshavin’s snow-delayed journey from Russia to Arsenal up there with the best.

But there have also been plenty that have gone under the radar, and who can forget Peter Odemwingie rock up at Queens Park Rangers to force a move through even though they hadn’t made an offer for him.

Scroll through the gallery above to see the best January deadline day stories.