Summer Transfer Window: Top 15 Premier League Transfers so Far

As the English Premier League season draws closer with each passing day, transfers have slowed down a bit. 

With the transfer market drying up, we're now in a position to assess some of the summer's best moves.

While big names like Robin van Persie continue to dominate headlines around the world of football, it's better to reflect than to speculate.

Here are the EPL's 15 best signings to date.

Eden Hazard (Chelsea)

Well, it didn't take long for Chelsea's premier signing to make some noise.

On the first leg of Chelsea's American tour, Belgian forward Eden Hazard netted his first goal in a Chelsea uniform in a 4-2 victory over the Seattle Sounders.

Just 21 years old, Hazard figures to slot in at forward alongside Fernando Torres, who grabbed headlines himself with his stellar performance at the European Championships this summer. 

Considered one of the favorites to grab the Premier League title from Manchester City, expect Hazard to be an integral piece of a Chelsea title run.

Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)

With the future of striker Robin van Persie looking more hazy each day, the signing of Lukas Podolski by the Gunners looks that much smarter.

A wise pickup by manager Arsene Wenger, the 27-year-old German forward should be a natural fit at Arsenal.

Having netted 18 goals last season with German side FC Cologne, Podolski has shown no signs of slowing down as he has aged.

Expect great things from Podolski as he begins his first stint in the EPL.

Olivier Giroud (Arsenal)

Like Eden Hazard, Olivier Giroud will be transferring from France's Ligue 1 over to the English Premier League for the 2012-2013 season.

Along with Lukas Podolski, Giroud should help fill any potential void left by Robin van Persie.

Giroud led all of French Ligue 1 with 21 goals last season and finished sixth in the league with nine assists.

At 25 years old, Giroud could become one of the EPL's brightest young goal-scorers in a short period of time.

Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United)

Heading into this offseason, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had a clear goal of improving his midfield.

By adding budding Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa to his side, he has improved what was once considered one of the weaker spots on an otherwise very strong club.

Kagawa will presumably slot in somewhere in a midfield that's already set on the wings with the likes of Nani, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia.

Kagawa is a transfer from German side Borussia Dortmund, where he scored 13 goals and dished out eight assists last season.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (Tottenham)

After moving from Bundesliga side Hoffenheim to Swansea City last season, midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has found a new home with Tottenham Hotspur.

Long thought to be destined for Liverpool to be reunited with former Swansea boss Brendan Rodgers, Sigurdsson landed with Tottenham, a side that has been relatively quiet this summer.

The logic behind signing Sigurddson is simple: With Luka Modric reportedly attempting to bolt (via The Telegraph) from White Hart Lane, Sigurdsson could help fill the void left by the Croatian star.

Park Ji-Sung (Queens Park Rangers)

With his playing time diminishing at Old Trafford, the move of Park Ji-Sung to Queens Park Rangers was a logical one for both clubs and the player.

Now 31 years old, the South Korean midfielder will bring a higher profile name to Queens Park Rangers and, although his statistical output over the past few seasons has been limited, he still has plenty to offer.

Park may not have a profound statistical impact on Rangers, but he was far form a risky pickup.

A low-risk, high-reward addition, Queens Park Rangers have to be happy with the work they've done this summer.

Fabio Da Silva (Queens Park Rangers)

An expendable piece for Manchester United, Fabio reportedly joined Queens Park Rangers on loan this summer (via ESPN Soccernet).

Although he was overshadowed by his brother Rafael in his first few seasons with United, he could find new life with QPR.

Limited to just two starts last season due to injury, Fabio will be on the mend, looking for a fresh start during his season-long stint with Queens Park Rangers.

Still just 22 years old, Fabio has fresh legs and a burning desire to prove he's all he was hyped up to be when he arrived at Old Trafford.

Steven Naismith (Everton)

A 25-year-old forward signed on a free loan (via ESPN Soccernet) from Scottish Premier League side Rangers, Steven Naismith should be a nice complement to Nikica Jelavic with Everton.

In 11 starts with Rangers during the 2011-2012 campaign, Naismith registered nine goals and tacked on two assists.

In his last two seasons in Scotland, Naismith has scored a combined 25 goals in all competitions and should be viewed as an asset to an Everton side in need of some more consistent goal-scoring.

Junior Hoilett (Queens Park Rangers)

Perhaps the most active club during this summer's transfer window, Queens Park Rangers continue to improve their squad by adding both young and old pieces.

According to a report from Sky Sports, the most recent acquisition for QPR was Canadian forward Junior Hoilett, who played for Blackburn for the past three seasons.

No stranger to England's biggest stage, Hoilett has recorded 12 goals in EPL play thus far in his young career and the 23-year-old should help immediately bolster QPR's attack.

Although the deal appears to be all but completed, an article from the Daily Mail reports that QPR is still working on securing a work permit for Hoilett.

Nick Powell (Manchester United)

With eyes on the future, Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United claimed Nick Powell this summer from Crewe Alexandra.

Just 18 years old, Powell shouldn't figure to see consistent minutes in his first season at Old Trafford, but he has shown enough promise to make him worthy of a position on the squad.

An attacking midfielder, Powell netted 15 goals for Crewe Alexandra last season while dishing out seven assists.

Keep an eye out for Powell's emergence over the next few seasons.

Marko Marin (Chelsea)

Just like new teammate Eden Hazard, Marko Marin wasted no time familiarizing himself with the back of the net in a Chelsea uniform.

In their 4-2 victory over the Seattle Sounders last week, the 21-year-old scored his first goal with Chelsea, a trend that will hopefully be sustained over the next few months.

A transfer from Werder Bremen of the Bundesliga, Marin figures to fight for playing time on a squad that is simply stacked with talent across the board.

Marin may not have an immediate impact with the Blues, but his long-term prospects appear bright.

Hugo Rodallega (Fulham)

According to the Daily Mail, Fulham have landed former Wigan striker Hugo Rodallega on a free transfer.

Rodallega netted just two goals for Wigan last season, but since joining the club in 2008, the Colombian forward has found the back of the net 24 times.

Rodallega should have no problem slotting in with Fulham and the possible departure of Clint Dempsey could open up the field for some more goal scoring opportunities.

Now 26 years old, Rodallega is very much capable of producing at the high level that he has been for the past four seasons.

Fabio Borini (Liverpool)

Liverpool's only signing of note to date, striker Fabio Borini should be a welcome addition at Anfield.

New boss Brendan Rodgers has yet to make a big splash in the transfer market, but the signing of Borini is a good starting place.

Borini will join the Reds from Italian side AS Roma, where he scored nine goals in 20 starts one year ago.

In his last two seasons with Swansea City and Roma, Borini has scored a combined 16 goals in all competitions.

At just 21 years old, Borini will be afforded some time to grow, but should be asked to contribute plenty in his first season with Liverpool.

Andrew Johnson (Queens Park Rangers)

Perhaps a move that was overshadowed by Queens Park Rangers' other dealings this summer, Andrew Johnson has joined QPR and manager Mark Hughes (via BBC).

An experienced 31-year-old veteran, Johnson spent the last four seasons with Fulham by way of Crystal Palace and Everton.

Since 2008, Johnson has scored 24 goals in all competitions for Fulham, but his age would indicate that his glory days are behind him.

Along with some of QPR's other additions (Park Ji-Sung and Ryan Nelsen), Johnson should help guide one of the EPL's younger squads to an improved 2012-2013 season.

Garath McCleary (Reading)

While Reading's signing (via The Sun) of Garath McCleary is old news by now, it was a crafty move for a team that was just recently promoted to the Premiership.

A 25-year-old forward who most recently played with Nottingham Forest, McCleary scored nine goals and dished out seven assists in 22 appearances last season.

Reading, of course, finished first in the English Championship last season, finishing the year with 89 points and a spot in England's most coveted football league.

At minimum, McCleary should help bolster Reading's offense as they go up against the most stout defenses in all of England.