25 of the most successful loan spells in football history

In football, most loan moves are forgettable as clubs offload unwanted talents to become squad-fillers elsewhere. However, in rare cases, temporary switches can also define careers. Whether it’s a young talent proving their worth or a seasoned pro making a game-changing impact, these loan spells left a lasting mark on their clubs. From Premier League stars to European standouts, here are 25 of the most successful loan deals in football history (with statistics provided by Transfermarkt).

Jesse Lingard’s loan move to West Ham from Manchester United in January 2021 was an instant success. In just 16 appearances, he scored nine goals and provided four assists, helping West Ham qualify for the Europa League. His performances earned him the Premier League Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards in April 2021. Lingard’s form also led to an England recall ahead of Euro 2020.

Despite only making 13 appearances during a short two-and-a-half-month loan from Helsingborgs in 2007, Henrik Larsson left a lasting impression at Manchester United. He scored three goals and played a crucial role in guiding the team towards the Premier League title. Sir Alex Ferguson praised his professionalism, and teammates admired his leadership. Although he returned to Sweden before the season ended, United still awarded him a Premier League winners’ medal.

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Coutinho’s loan spell at Bayern Munich from Barcelona ended in European glory. The Brazilian scored 11 goals and provided nine assists in all competitions, helping Bayern secure a historic treble. His most iconic moment came in the Champions League quarter-final, where he scored twice and assisted against his parent club in an 8-2 demolition of Barcelona.

Liverpool signed Nicolas Anelka on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in December 2001, and the French striker made an instant impact. He scored five goals in 22 games, helping the Reds finish second in the Premier League. Many expected him to join permanently, but Liverpool opted against signing him, instead bringing in El Hadji Diouf—a decision widely criticised by fans to this day.

Carlos Tevez’s two-season loan from West Ham to Manchester United proved to be a masterstroke. He formed a lethal partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, scoring 34 goals in 99 appearances. Tevez played a key role in United’s 2007–08 Champions League triumph, scoring in the final shootout against Chelsea. He also helped the club secure two consecutive Premier League titles before making a controversial move to Manchester City.

At just 19, Mason Mount joined Derby County on loan from Chelsea and became a key player under Frank Lampard (pictured). He registered 11 goals and six assists in 44 appearances, helping Derby reach the Championship play-off final. His performances earned him a Chelsea first-team spot the following season, where he later became a Champions League winner.

In his first stint at Borussia Dortmund, Sancho scored 50 goals and provided 64 assists to earn himself an €85 million (£73m/$103m) move to Manchester United in 2021. However, after struggling for form and falling out with manager Erik ten Hag, Sancho returned to the German side on loan in January 2024 and reestablished himself as one of Europe's most exciting attacking players. Playing primarily as a playmaker, Sancho led Dortmund to the Champions League final.

Dean Henderson spent two seasons on loan at Sheffield United from Manchester United, helping the club achieve promotion in 2019, winning the Championship Golden Glove by keeping 20 clean sheets. He was instrumental in their ninth-place Premier League finish the following season, keeping 13 clean sheets. His performances earned him an England call-up and a place in United’s first-team squad.

Nicknamed 'The Beast,' Júlio Baptista’s loan spell from Real Madrid had its ups and downs, but his highlight moment in the League Cup lives long in the memory of the Arsenal faithful: at Anfield against Liverpool, he scored four goals in a stunning 6-3 win. Across all competitions, he netted 10 times in 35 appearances, but the Gunners eventually opted against making the move permanent.

Chiesa arrived at Juventus on loan from Fiorentina and became one of the team’s most dangerous attacking players. In his first season, he scored 14 goals, including key strikes in the Champions League and the Coppa Italia final, where Juve triumphed. His dynamic dribbling and finishing ability convinced the club to make the move permanent.

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Seeking first-team experience, Carvajal spent a season at Bayer Leverkusen, during which he was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. He provided seven assists and excelled both defensively and in attack. Though not technically a loan, the Spaniard's impressive campaign led Real Madrid to activate their buy-back clause after just one season, securing their future long-term right-back.

Manchester United’s young winger, Amad Diallo, lit up the Championship during his loan spell at Sunderland in 2022–23. He scored 14 goals and provided four assists, winning Sunderland’s Player of the Season award. His performances helped the Black Cats reach the play-offs, and his technical ability made him one of the standout young players in the league.

A teenage Lukaku joined West Brom from Chelsea in 2012 and announced himself on the Premier League stage by scoring 17 goals in 35 league games, including a hat-trick in a dramatic 5-5 draw against Manchester United on the final day. His performances convinced Everton to sign him for £28 million (€35.4m/$47.4m).

Bradley was dominant at right wing-back for Bolton, contributing seven goals and six assists in all competitions while on loan from Liverpool. His performances earned him the club’s Player of the Season award, and he helped Bolton win the EFL Trophy at Wembley. He returned to Liverpool as a serious first-team contender and is now making his name by winning duels against the likes of Kylian Mbappé.

The USMNT legend had two influential loan spells at Everton, becoming a fan favourite at Goodison Park. Across 22 Premier League appearances, Donovan (right) contributed nine goal involvements (two goals, seven assists) and provided leadership on the pitch. His impact was so strong that Everton tried (albeit unsuccessfully) to sign him permanently from LA Galaxy.

After a difficult spell at Atlético Madrid, Morata returned to Juventus on loan for the 2020–21 season. He played a key role in Juve's attack, scoring 20 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions. His work rate and partnership with Cristiano Ronaldo helped the team secure a top-four finish in Serie A, and Juventus later negotiated to extend his stay before the end of the loan.

On loan from Brighton, Ben White played every minute of Leeds United’s Championship-winning campaign, according to FBREF. His composure on the ball and defensive solidity helped Marcelo Bielsa’s side finish with the division’s best defensive record (35 goals conceded in 46 matches). After one season back on the South Coast, his performances earned him a €58.5 million (£50m/$71m) move to Arsenal in 2021.

Before becoming Arsenal’s number one and later winning multiple Serie A titles with Juventus, Szczęsny gained vital experience in League One with Brentford. The Polish goalkeeper made 28 appearances and was crucial in helping Brentford avoid relegation, keeping 10 clean sheets. His performances earned him a place in the West London club's team of the decade and a swift promotion to Arsenal’s first team.

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Loaned from Real Madrid, Ødegaard became one of La Liga’s most creative midfielders at Real Sociedad. He recorded seven goals and nine assists, leading the Basque side to a Copa del Rey final and Europa League qualification. His performances earned him a recall to Madrid before eventually joining Arsenal.

At just 17, Elliott showcased his immense talent in the Championship. The Liverpool loanee registered seven goals and 11 assists in 42 appearances for Blackburn, ranking among the league’s top creators. His performances at Ewood Park convinced then boss Jürgen Klopp that he was ready for the first team.

Alderweireld joined Southampton on loan from Atlético Madrid and helped them secure what was then their best-ever Premier League finish (seventh). His defensive leadership was key as the Saints let in just 33 goals, the second-best record in the league that season (only champions Chelsea conceded fewer). His form earned him a permanent move to Tottenham.

James joined Bayern Munich on a two-year loan from Real Madrid and made an immediate impact. He scored 15 goals and provided 20 assists across 67 games, helping Bayern secure back-to-back Bundesliga titles. His creative play and technical ability made him one of the league’s standout performers before returning to Madrid in 2019.

After struggling to find form at Chelsea, Cuadrado revived his career on loan at Juventus. Across two seasons, he played a vital role in Juve’s domestic dominance, winning two Serie A titles and contributing 10 assists in 2016–17. His versatility and work rate helped Juventus reach the 2017 Champions League final.

On loan from Liverpool, Wilson was one of Derby’s standout performers under Frank Lampard, scoring 18 goals in 49 games. His spectacular long-range strikes, including a stunning free-kick against Manchester United in the League Cup, made him one of the most exciting young players in the Championship. Derby reached the play-off final that season, but lost to Aston Villa.

George Weah joined Chelsea on loan from Milan for the 1999–2000 season. Despite being past his prime, his time at Chelsea was successful, with him quickly becoming a fan favourite. He scored on his debut against Tottenham, added goals against Wimbledon and Liverpool, and played a key role in Chelsea's 1999–2000 FA Cup win, scoring important goals against Leicester City and Gillingham. His performances earned him a starting spot in the final, which Chelsea won 1–0.

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