The Top 10 EPL Signings of the Summer

Each summer, millions of pounds are spent by each team trying to take their club to the next level.

These players sometimes become the leagues next big thing, while others never turn out as planned.According to the Sky Sports Totaliser, Premier League clubs have spent £252,725,000 so far this summer.

The Premier League is the best league in the world, and there is no denying it. Top to bottom, there is a certain quality of play that sets the EPL apart from the rest of the world, and honestly, it should be the best league in the world with the kind of transfer sums that are being thrown around this summer by top clubs.

Here are the Top 10 EPL Signings of the Summer.

10. Shay Given to Aston Villa

Age: 35

Position: Goalkeeper

Former Club: Manchester City

Transfer Fee: £3.5 Million

With Brad Friedel going to Tottenham, a new goalkeeper became a top priority for Aston Villa, and a top goalkeeper is what they got.

Given, coming at a bargain price of just £3.5 million has made over 400 Premier League appearances, and will provide stability and leadership in the Villa goal.

9. Connor Wickham to Sunderland

Age: 18

Position: Striker

Former Club: Ipswich Town

Transfer Fee: £8 Million (rising To £12 million)

Sunderland beat out the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United to secure the signing of Wickham, who spent the summer playing for England at the U21 European Championships.

Standing at 6'3'', Wickham is powerful in the air and will surely add some much needed firepower to the Sunderland strike force after the departure of Darren Bent.

While Wickham will be expected to contribute immediately, being just 18 years of age, he is surely an investment for the future.

8. Charles N'Zogbia to Aston Villa

Age: 25

Position: Winger

Former Club: Wigan Athetic

Transfer Fee: £9.5 million

N'Zogbia, a French international, will be asked upon to play a major role at Villa Park this year following the departures of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing.

N'Zogbia is very quick, possesses great ball control and is very creative, making him the ideal replacement for Young and Downing.

N'Zogbia will help the likes of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent lead the Villa attack line.

He played a vital role helping Wigan Athletic stay up in the top division of English football this past season.

7. Phil Jones to Manchester United

Age: 19

Position: Centre Back

Former Club: Blackburn Rovers

Transfer Fee: £16 million

Manchester United battled Liverpool for the signature of Phil Jones this summer, and he certainly looks worth the price tag after playing a key role for England at the U21 European Championships.

Jones figures to be a cornerstone of the United defence for years to come and really came onto the Premier League scene last year, developing into a regular for Blackburn Rovers.

Jones's time for United will most likely not be this year, as he faces stiff competition at centre back from Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling. 

6. Charlie Adam to Liverpool

Age: 25

Position: Central Midfield

Former Club: Blackpool

Transfer Fee: £7 million

Adam was one of the top central midfielders in the EPL last season, and at just £7 million, he is a bargain for Liverpool. 

Adam will most likely feature as a deep-lying playmaker, something Liverpool have lacked since the departure of Xabi Alonso. Adam also possesses a sweet left foot and is a dead-ball specialist.

Adam was far and away Blackpool's best player last season and was the sole reason they were even close to staying up. 

5. David De Gea to Manchester United

Age: 20

Position: Goalkeeper

Former Club: Atletico Madrid

Transfer Fee: £17 million

David De Gea has been signed at an extremely young age by Sir Alex Ferguson and is expected to step in for Edwin Van Der Sar and become the first choice keeper at Old Trafford this season.

De Gea starred for Spain at the U21 European Championship's this summer and is a very complete goalkeeper.

He, like Connor Wickham, is expected to make an immediate impact but will likely not reach his peak for years to come and is surely an investment for the future.

4. Gervinho to Arsenal

Age: 24

Position: Winger

Former Club: Lille

Transfer Fee: £10.5 million

Gervinho, who has really impressed in Arsenal's recent preseason games, is extremely quick and a capable goalscored. He is able to play as a winger, or up front.

Gervinho, a regular for Ivory Coast, has been the only major signing by Arsene Wenger this summer, but more could come in if Fabregas or Nasri are sold.

Gervinho will likely be injected into the starting XI from day one, and will compete with the likes of Theo Walcott for the right wing at The Emirates.

3. Stewart Downing to Liverpool

Age: 27

Position: Winger

Former Club: Aston Villa

Transfer Fee: £20 million

Liverpool have lacked a natural left winger for a while, and that's exactly what they get with Stewart Downing.

Downing, an England International, possesses a deadly left foot and can play on the left or right of midfield. He is capable of blowing by defenders using pure speed or his variety of tricks on the left, or cut in from the right.

But, £20 million is a very steep price tag for Downing, and expectations will be high from the beginning at Anfield. 

2. Ashley Young to Manchester United

Age: 26

Position: Winger

Former Club: Aston Villa

Transfer Fee: £16 million

Young was a key component of the Aston Villa attack for many years and has recently turned himself into an England regular.

He has bags of pace and can play anywhere along the front line. Like Phil Jones, Manchester United had to beat out Liverpool to secure Young's signature.

Although a high price tag, Young does not have a guaranteed spot in the starting XI, as he must compete with the likes of Nani, Antonio Valencia, and Ji Sung Park.

1. Sergio Aguero to Manchester City

Age: 23

Position: Striker

Former Club: Atletico Madrid

Transfer Fee: £35 million

Aguero, who was chased by many top European clubs, was the most expensive transfer of the summer by an EPL club.

Now a regular for Argentina, he scored more than 20 goals each of the past four seasons for Atletico. He has great technique and a body suited for the physical style of the EPL.

While it might take time to settle into English football, he should end up being one of the most feared strikers in England.