Pick of the deals

CHAMPIONSHIP

Nicky Maynard - Bristol City to West Ham - undisclosed

This is the pick of the deals on a busy deadline day at West Ham. Maynard oozes class in the Championship and he brings guaranteed goals to Upton Park. It wasn't a surprise to see various Premier League clubs linked with a swoop for his services so this acts as a real statement of intent from Sam Allardyce. Expect the Hammers now to convincingly secure a spot in the top two.

Jason Roberts - Blackburn to Reading - undisclosed

The takeover of Reading by Thames Sports Investment has given boss Brian McDermott new power with the chequebook. He used it wisely to bring in Roberts from Blackburn with the experienced forward sure to provide nous to a young and vibrant squad. The Royals are well positioned for a promotion push so head to the Madejski for some entertainment during the rest of the campaign.

Billy Sharp - Doncaster to Southampton - undisclosed

The first two Championship selections show that deals for top strikers are to be valued. That is certainly the case with this transfer as goals win you games and victories win you promotion. That makes the purchase of Championship goalscorer extraordinaire Sharp smart business for the Saints. Nigel Adkins has already got the best out of the forward during his time at Scunthorpe and more of the same will see St Mary's hosting Premier League football next season.

Ben Mee - Manchester City to Burnley - undisclosed

One by-product of Manchester City's mega-rich status has been the falling by the wayside of plenty of promising youngsters from the club's youth set-up. Mee was captain of City's youngsters when they won the FA Youth Cup but failed to make an impression in the first-team. Now he finds himself at Turf Moor permanently and should benefit from the opportunity of regular football.

Best of the rest: Ravel Morrison (Man Utd to West Ham), Ben Marshall (Stoke to Leicester), Adam Smith (Tottenham to Leeds), Wes Morgan (Nottingham Forest to Leicester)

LEAGUE ONE

Nicky Ajose - Peterborough to Chesterfield - loan

One of the stars of Bury's promotion to League One last season alongside Ryan Lowe has found the going tough this term. He joined Peterborough in the summer but hasn't been able to make an impression in the Championship and his loan move to Scunthorpe didn't go to plan either. The striker still has the talent to make a big impression and he will give a big boost to Chesterfield's battle for survival after joining on loan until the summer. They have badly missed Craig Davies since his departure for Barnsley in the summer so could be the missing part of the Spireites' jigsaw.

Luke Freeman - Arsenal to Stevenage - undisclosed

Freeman is one of many Premier League youngsters who are forced to journey down the Football League for regular football. The forward joined Arsenal from Gillingham as a 15-year-old but it didn't lead to fame and fortune at the Emirates. He has already impressed during his time in Hertfordshire and he is in a great position to prove himself as a fantastic leaving present from former Boro boss Graham Westley before he departed for Preston.

Alan Smith - Newcastle to MK Dons - loan

Smith is definitely the 'big name' in the League One January deals. The former England international has tasted plenty of Premier League success during his career and we all remember just how good he was at the peak of his powers. He is a different player now but this deal makes sense for MK Dons as they only pay a fraction of the wages and get a player who will make a big difference in the promotion hunt.

Will Hoskins - Brighton to Sheffield United - loan

Sheffield United have also bolstered their ranks for the promotion race. Hoskins hasn't managed to become a first-team regular at Brighton since joining in the summer so a move back to South Yorkshire - where he enjoyed great success with Rotherham - is a good move. The Blades now have a plethora of attacking options and that will leave their rivals with plenty to worry about as winter turns to spring.

Best of the rest: James Harper (Hull to Wycombeloan) John Bostock (Tottenham to Sheffield Wednesday), Connor Jennings (Stalybridge to Scunthorpe)

LEAGUE TWO

Sanchez Watt - Arsenal to Crawley - loan

This is one of the deals that definitely caught people by surprise. Watt played on loan for Leeds last season and League One promotion contenders Sheffield Wednesday this term but now finds himself in the bottom rung of the Football League. He has already helped Crawley to the fifth round of the FA Cup on his debut in the 1-0 win over Hull and he can expect to take on an even more vital role after Matt Tubbs' big-money departure to Bournemouth. He should be just what the Red Devils need to get over the automatic promotion line.

Jo Kuffour - Bristol Rovers to Gillingham - free

This deal certainly didn't catch anyone by surprise. Kuffour spent the first half of the season on loan at Gillingham and scored seven goals in 13 games. He didn't have a future at League Two rivals Bristol Rovers so is now back at Priestfield on a permanent deal and will be after more of the same following his success at the back end of 2011.

Luke Guttridge - Aldershot to Northampton - free

Northampton need to find form quickly if they are to avoid the dreaded drop to non-league football and will desperately hope the arrival of former favourite Guttridge is the spark to climb the table. The midfielder had become frustrated at Aldershot but it isn't long since he was a vital cog in the Shots' impressive Carling Cup run. The loan signing of Question Time favourite Clarke Carlisle is another deal to add experience at Sixfields and boss Aidy Boothroyd needs this approach to work before panic really kicks in.

Jermaine McGlashan - Aldershot to Cheltenham - undisclosed

Cheltenham's main transfer-window signing will be the man to keep their promotion campaign on track. The midfielder provides a new threat for the Robins and that will be vital as clubs start to show more respect to them after a fine first half of the season. Mark Yates has already made very strong loan signings during the campaign so don't be surprised if has a few more aces up his sleeve before temporary moves are halted further down the line.

Best of the rest: George Donnelly (Fleetwood to Macclesfield), Marcus Marshall (Rotherham to Macclesfield), Byron Harrison (Stevenage to AFC Wimbledon)