Football/Soccer Transfer Season Week 1

Despite world economic concerns, a number of Europe's football clubs have deep enough pockets to make big moves in the winter window. With the first week just underway, which teams are getting the best deals?

Monchengladbach, who currently sits bottom of the Bundesliga with 11 points in 17 games, is making big moves signing Czech international, Tomas Galasek, and Canadian international, Paul Stalteri. Galazek brings previous German league experience with him from his stint in Nuremberg and the ability to play holding midfield or as a centerback. His signing begs the question, what will happen to American midfielder, Michael Bradley?

Monchengladbach's defense has been lacking, allowing a host of opponents to score three goals a more per game, including allowing Hannover 96 to tally five goals in a September match. Stalteri, who played wingback for both Tottenham and Werder Bremen, should be able to help solidify the backline as well as provide good service going forward.

These signings also help bolster a line-up which was short on national team-calibre players. Galazek and Stalteri will join Canadian forward, Rob Friend, German forward, Oliver Neuville, and American midfielder, Michael Bradley.

German super club, Bayern Munich, are clearly looking to bolster their forward depth which is already comprised of German national team stars, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski, and Italian, Luca Toni. The German side secured Landon Donovan of the U.S. National Team and Los Angeles Galaxy on loan until the start of the Major League Soccer season and recently purchased the contract of Russian forward Ivica Olic from Hamburg SV.

Queens Park Rangers of the English Coca-Cola Championship negotiated a deal to bring Premier League midfielder, Wayne Routledge to the club. QPR are currently three points out of play-off contention in order to earn promotion to the Premier League. Routledge has struggled in recent years, but the twenty-three year old might have enough gas left in the tank to help the team earn a spot on the big stage.

Routledge's signing coupled with the addition of Heidar Helguson, who has been in the Premier league since 2005, seems to indicate that the club is looking to add some bite to its attack. Helguson has played for 43 games for his native Iceland tallying 8 goals.

Although it remains early in the winter window, these teams seem to be headed in the proper direction. If these signings work out for each of these clubs, expect to see Monchengladbach avoid relegation; Munich will reclaim its throne atop the Bundesliga, and Queens Park will spend next season in Premier League.