5 of the Greatest La Liga Transfer Moves Ever

Before we kick this countdown off, let's run down some of the rules.

1. The transfer must have taken place between two La Liga sides.

2. The player must have been signed as a first-team player, not picked up as a teenager to bring through the youth setup.

3. The player must have demonstrated longevity at the club he signed for—quick-hits don't cut it here.

4. The transfer fee should represent value for money.

Now that the boring stuff is out the way, let's get this list underway. It's all down to interpretation, of course, so make sure you add your own suggestions in the comments section. 

5. Hugo Sanchez

Mexican striker Hugo Sanchez arrived in Spain to sign for Atletico Madrid in the early 1980s. After a slow start, his performances soon drew the attention of Real Madrid, who took him to the Bernabeu in 1985. 

After swapping Los Rojiblancos for Los Blancos, the silverware soon started flowing in.

Sanchez won five league titles with Madrid, three Spanish Super Cups, a Copa del Rey and a UEFA Cup.

In 283 appearances, he managed 207 goals, which led to five Pichichis and a European Golden Boot in 1989/90.

4. Joseba Etxeberria

In 1995, Joseba Etxeberria made one of the most controversial moves in the history of Spanish football; certainly the most controversial in Basque football. 

Aged just 17, Athletic Bilbao managed to lure him from Real Sociedad for a sum of €3 million.

They certainly got their money's worth, though. Over the next 15 years, Etxeberria made over 500 appearances and scored over 100 goals for the club, also scoring 12 goals in 53 appearances for Spain.

Unfortunately, on the pitch, the best he got was Athletic's second-place finish in 1998. However, it was clear when he retired in 2010 how much love the club had for him.

3. Andoni Zubizarreta

After emerging as Spain's No. 1 at Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona splashed out €1.7 million to bring Andoni Zubizarreta to Camp Nou. 

The goalkeeper proceeded to make over over 400 appearances for the Catalans and was a part of the Dream Team which won four straight La Liga titles.

He also lifted the European Cup, the Cup Winners' Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the Copa del Rey (twice) and the Spanish Super Cup (twice) during eight trophy-laden seasons with La Blaugrana.

Since 2010, Zubizarreta has been performing the role of director of football at Barcelona. 

2. Juan Carlos Valeron

When Atletico Madrid were relegated from La Liga in 2000, Deportivo La Coruna swooped to sign Juan Carlos Valeron for around €9 million. 

And only this summer, 13 years later, has the midfielder ended his relationship with the Galician club and returned home to the Canary Islands to sign for Las Palmas.

The 38-year-old helped the club to four consecutive top-three finishes in La Liga in the early 2000s and was part of the Super Depor side which reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League twice and the semifinal once.

After the club was relegated in 2011, he stayed with them to help win La Segunda, but he unfortunately departs the Riazor having been unable to keep them afloat in La Liga last season. 

1. Fernando Hierro

After being dropped by Malaga as a teenager, Fernando Hierro eventually found a route into professional football with Real Valladolid in 1987. 

Within two seasons, Real Madrid had seen enough to convince them to bring Hierro to the Spanish capital in 1989.

Playing as both a central defender and a defensive midfielder, he remained with the club until 2003. During those years, he made over 400 appearances and also scored over 100 goals—an impressive ratio considering his position.

Hierro was a part of five title-winning Los Blancos sides and also lifted the European Cup on three occasions, while other trophies included four Spanish Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups, a Copa del Rey and a UEFA Super Cup.