This January transfer window we were treated to the most concentrated onslaught of transfer announcement videos since records began. Every club's social media guru was in their element, plotting and planning their own novel way of announcing their clubs' signings.
I'm still on the fence about the whole phenomenon, it seems to be another extension of the accelerated hype machine that is the Premier League, as the players become less footballers and more media entities. That said, this window provided us with as much talk about the announcement vids as the players themselves and with that in mind here are the best and worst efforts of the January transfer window.
The Good
Lucas Moura - Tottenham
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 31, 2018
Good because it harks back to an intricate goal celebration from Moura and Aurier from their PSG days:
Vagner Love - Besiktas
In the 'good' category mainly because it's Vagner Love.
They say love exists only in the movies...
Aşk sadece filmlerde olur derler... #love #ComeToBeşiktaş #Beşiktaş pic.twitter.com/ve7cK1tr2z— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) January 29, 2018
Samuel Eto'o - Atiker Konyaspor
Atiker Konyaspor nail their colours to the mast with a Game Of Thrones themed offering for their announcement of Samuel Eto'o:
?Samuel Stormborn of the House Eto'o
?First of His Name
?The Unburnt
?King of the Forwards
⛓Breaker of Chains
?Father of Eagles pic.twitter.com/4aWXrRu5zQ— Atiker Konyaspor (@konyaspor) January 31, 2018
Alexis Sanchez - Manchester United
This one has polarised football fans. I think it's one of those instances where if you're a Man United fan then you'll feel all fuzzy inside whereas if you're a rival fan, you'll be reaching for the sick bucket.
? Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Introducing #Alexis7…#GGMU #MUFC @Alexis_Sanchez pic.twitter.com/t9RIIx4mE4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 22, 2018
Joao Mario - West Ham United
I quite enjoyed this effort from the Hammers. We await Joao Mario: Odyssey and Joao Mario Kart.
Here we go. #WelcomeMario pic.twitter.com/NkGInrbr2c
— West Ham United (@WestHamUtd) January 26, 2018
Peter Hartley - Motherwell
Motherwell finish off the 'good' section with an irreverent take on United's Sanchez announcement video.
? | Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Introducing #Pete6... #SIWY #MFC
Are we doing this right, @ManUtd? ? ? pic.twitter.com/4d14hXW7bN
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) January 23, 2018
The Bad
Lewis Grabban - Aston Villa
Lewis Grabban does not need an announcement video in any plane of existence. And it was a loan! And the video is terrible!
Any #DeadlineDay news, Alexa? ? pic.twitter.com/89M1XLdB63
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 31, 2018
Diogo Figueiras - SC Braga
SC Braga of the Portugese League released a very flashy announcement video after securing the signature of Diogo Figueiras on a short-term loan from Olympiacos. This is a case of less is more, the social media guy is clearly trying too hard here, and the results are contrived.
?? Esqueçam o “Netflix and Chill” e agarrem as pipocas: este novo reforço tem títulos, golos e assistências para nos deixar ‘colados’ ao ecrã… ? pic.twitter.com/bykK7ZgyR2
— SC Braga (@SCBragaOficial) January 31, 2018
Oscar Gobern - Yeovil Town
A Tinder themed video. Social Media privileges should be revoked for this offence.
? | It's a match! ? ✍️ #YTFC pic.twitter.com/GdacdEVZ0H
— Yeovil Town FC (@YTFC) December 1, 2017
Kenedy - Newcastle
Maybe it's because I don't get the Wrestling reference, but the generic shots with a jarring soundtrack do little to endear.
#WelcomeKenedy! ??⚫️⚪️#NUFC pic.twitter.com/fQ0EPx4u4L
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 23, 2018
Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang - Arsenal
This is just cringe. Mhkitaryan looks decidedly uneasy as he does his bit to camera and the video effects are just overkill. Great signing, shite video.
