January Transfer Window: Top 11 Moves That Will Influence European Competitions

Altogether, this recent January transfer window has been one of the biggest in recent memory. With the likes of Fernando Torres and Mark van Bommel switching clubs, the entire complexion of the Champions League and the Europa League has changed.

With this in mind, here are 11 of the biggest transfers that will affect European competition this season.

Antonio Cassano

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TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 12: Antonio Cassano of UC Sampdoria in action during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and UC Sampdoria at Olimpico Stadium on September 12, 2010 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Old Club: Sampdoria

New Club: AC Milan

After a successful run at Sampdoria, Antonio Cassano transferred to AC Milan in what was the first signing of the winter transfer window for the Rosseneri.

Cassano is cup-tied, so he will not feature in the Champions League.

Steven Pienaar

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Steven Pienaar of Everton in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Everton and Stoke City at Goodison Park on October 30, 2010 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Old Club: Everton

New Club: Tottenham

One of the most important players for Everton over the last several seasons, Steven Pienaar left the Toffees for Tottenham to finally allow Pienaar a chance to play in the Champions League.

Pienaar would get his first ever Champions League appearance at the San Siro on Feb. 15.

Edin Dzeko

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Edin Dzeko of VfL Wolfsburg in action during the UEFA Champions League Group B match between Manchester United and VfL Wolfsburg at Old Trafford on September 30, 2009 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/G

Old Club: Wolfsburg

New Club: Manchester City

One of the most pursued players by Manchester City in recent memory, Edin Dzeko finally made the move to Eastlands during the January transfer window.

Dzeko will look to play a major role in City's quest to achieve their first trophy since 1978 in the Europa League.

Mark Van Bommel

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MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 22: Mark van Bommel of Bayern Munich in action during the UEFA Champions League Final match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Inter Milan at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 22, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Im

Old Club: Bayern Munich

New Club: AC Milan

One of the most feared midfielders in the world, Mark van Bommel made a surprising transfer in the middle of the January transfer window by moving from Bayern Munich to AC Milan.

Unfortunately for van Bommel, he has been cup-tied for the Champions League due to his prior playing time this year with Bayern Munich.

Emmanuel Adebayor

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BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: Emmanuel Adebayor of Manchester City in action during the Barclays Premiership match between Blackpool and Manchester City at Bloomfield Road on October 17, 2010 in Blackpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Old Club: Manchester City

New Club: Real Madrid

Once one of the biggest signings by Manchester City in their first summer of new ownership, Emmanuel Adebayor has been sent on loan to Real Madrid for the remainder of the season to fill the void that was created by the loss of Gonzalo Higuain due to injury.

This will be Adebayor's first chance to play in the Champions League since his time with Arsenal in 2009.

Urby Emanuelson

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AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - OCTOBER 19: Urby Emanuelson of AFC Ajax in action during the UEFA Champions League Group G match between AFC Ajax and AJ Auxerre at the Amsterdam ArenA on October 19, 2010 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty I

Old Club: Ajax

New Club: AC Milan

A key player for Ajax over the last several years, Urby Emanuelson will now join AC Milan as a great attacking threat from the back.

Unfortunately for Milan, Emanuelson is currently cup-tied to Ajax after playing for them in the group stage of the Champions League.

Giampaolo Pazzini

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GENOA, ITALY - DECEMBER 05: Giampaolo Pazzini of UC Sampdoria celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between UC Sampdoria and AS Bari at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 5, 2010 in Genoa, Italy.

Old Club: Sampdoria

New Club: Inter Milan

A key player up top for Sampdoria over the last several years, Giampaolo Pazzini left in a late transfer to Inter Milan.

Pazzini cannot feature for Inter against Bayern Munich in the Champions League after being cup-tied for Sampdoria in qualification.

Luis Suarez

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AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - AUGUST 25: Luis Suarez of AFC Ajax in action during the Champions League Play-off match between AFC Ajax and FC Dynamo Kiev at Amsterdam Arena on August 25, 2010 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Image

Old Club: Ajax

New Club: Liverpool

One of the most pursued players in the world over the last several years, Luis Suarez joined Liverpool right before the end of the transfer window.

Suarez will replace the recently departed Fernando Torres at Anfield.

Andy Carroll

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NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22: Andy Carroll of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his teams fourth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Aston Villa at St James' Park on August 22, 2010 in Newcastle upon T

Old Club: Newcastle

New Club: Liverpool

One of the shock moves in the January transfer window, Andy Carroll moved from Newcastle to Liverpool for a British record 35 million pounds.

Carroll will now get a chance to play European football with Liverpool, and his partnership with Luis Suarez will lead Liverpool for years to come.

David Luiz

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LISBON, PORTUGAL - AUGUST 28: David Luiz of Benfica in action during the Portuguese Liga match between Vitoria Setubal and Benfica at Luz Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Patricia de Melo/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

Old Club: Benfica

New Club: Chelsea

Linked to Chelsea throughout the transfer window, David Luiz sealed his move to Chelsea in the dying minutes of the transfer window.

Luiz will not be able to play in the Champions League for Chelsea this season after being cup-tied to Benfica in the group stage.

Fernando Torres

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Fernando Torres of Liverpool shows his frustration during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at City of Manchester Stadium on August 23, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence

Old Club: Liverpool

New Club: Chelsea

Without question, the biggest transfer of the January transfer window was the move of Fernando Torres to Chelsea in a deadline day deal.

Torres will now get a chance to play in the Champions League for Chelsea and adds another dimension to the Blues attack.