Top 10 Summer Signings In Soccer

10 Raul Albiol (Valencia To Real Madrid)

Real Madrid have often been criticized for not signing defenders but this time there can be no such accusations. Club president Florentino Perez might have failed to land David Villa from Valencia but he did manage to convince the Ches to part with star defender Raul Albiol for 15 million euros. Albiol is a versatile defender but is expected to replace the departed Fabio Cannavaro in the heart of Madrid's defence.

9 Alberto Aquilani (AS Roma To Liverpool)

Liverpool made no delay in replacing the Real Madrid bound Xabi Alonso as they reached a 23.5 million euro deal with AS Roma for the signing of Italian international midfielder Alberto Aquilani. Aquilani has been with Roma all his life but with the Italian club suffering from financial problems, there was no option but to cash in on one of the promising young Italian talents. Aquilani should fit in at Anfield but whether he can overcome his injury problems or not remains to be seen.

8 Carlos Tevez (Media Sports Investment To Manchester City)

Manchester City's 'signing of the summer', Carlos Tevez and his owners MSI actually rejected a last minute offer from Manchester United to change the Argentine international's loan deal to a permanent one. In the end Manchester City managed to persuade Tevez with their millions and a 30 million euro deal was struck between the Citizens and the MSI.

7 Karim Benzema (Lyon To Real Madrid)

Karim Benzema wasn't Real Madrid's first choice striker to sign this summer but when talks with Valencia over signing David Villa broke down Madrid president Florentino Perez wasted no time in moving for the now former Lyon striker. Benzema has been the target of many clubs in Europe including Premier League giants Manchester United but Madrid's moves were quick as they paid an initial 35 million euros for the 21-year-old French international striker.

6 Diego (Werder Bremen To Juventus)

Juventus' biggest signing of the summer was the arrival of Brazilian star Diego from Werder Bremen for 24.5 million euros. The 24-year-old had rediscovered his old Santos form and had inspired the German Bundesliga club to the final of the UEFA Cup last season. Diego is set to become the playmaker-in-chief at Juventus and his arrival has made Juventus a top contender for the Serie A this season.

5 Michael Owen (To Manchester United As Free Agent)

Michael Owen's contract with relegated Newcastle United came to an end earlier this summer and few expected him to join English champions Manchester United. But Sir Alex Ferguson saw something in Owen that others didn't and signed the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker on a free transfer. Many say that this is a gamble on the part of Fergie but there's no doubt that Owen still retains his old class and might just be able to return among the goals in a World Cup year.

4 Xabi Alonso (Liverpool To Real Madrid)

Another Real Madrid Galacticos, Xabi Alonso finally saw himself out of Anfield this summer. The Spanish international midfielder's relationship with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had deteriorated in recent times and the Reds cashed in when the iron was hot. Alonso was sold to Madrid earlier this month for a transfer fee of 34 million euros. The former Real Socieded midfielder had stated his desire to play at the Bernabeu and he eventually got his wish.

3 Kaka (AC Milan To Real Madrid)

Real Madrid have resumed their Galacticos policy and Kaka is one of the Galacticos that club president Florentino Perez has signed this summer. The 27-year-old Brazilian playmaker was signed from AC Milan for 67.2 million euros in what was the third most expensive transfer in world football. Kaka maintains that he would stayed back in Milan if he had his way as it seems that Milan are desperately short of cash and has to cash in on their most prized asset.

2 Zlatan Ibrahimovic/Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan/FC Barcelona Swap)

Spanish and European champions FC Barcelona made a major signing this summer when they landed Swedish international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Italian champions Inter Milan. 'Ibracadabra' is one of the best players in the world and can create as much as he can score and his arrival to the Camp Nou adds another dimension to Josep Guardiola's side. But 'Ibra' came at a price, though, as Barcelona sold Samuel Eto'o to Inter and also paid the Nerazzurri a whooping 40 million euros. Eto'o is rated by many as one of the two best strikers in the world but his personality and outspoken nature had not gone too well with Guardiola.

1 Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United To Real Madrid)

Cristiano Ronaldo finally completed his 'dream' move to Real Madrid earlier in the summer. The current FIFA World Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or has always stated his desire to play for the 9 times former European champions and his dream came true this summer when Real Madrid president Florentino Perez decided to ship in the player to the Bernabeu but it didn't come cheap. Madrid had to cough up as much as 93 million euros for the 24-year-old, making Ronaldo the most expensive footballer in the world by a mile.