The winter transfer window has slammed shut in Germany, but a number of big players made it to the Bundesliga in a nick of time…

From returning superstars like Michy Batshuayi to new faces like Carney Chukwuemeka, the Bundesliga was treated to some rare transfer business in January. 

bundesliga.com takes a look at XI of the best of them, who handily fit into a coherent formation!

Goalkeeper: Loris Karius (free agent to Schalke)

Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper as recently as 2018, Loris Karius has since turned out for Beşiktaş, Union Berlin and Newcastle, although only twice for the latter with Nick Pope then Martin Dúbravka blocking his path to more first-team appearances in his two seasons at St James' Park. 

Still 31 - not old for a goalkeeper - Karius has a playing CV that includes eight Germany youth international caps and a UEFA Champions League final - and that Bundesliga 2 club Schalke could sign him speaks to the pull the once mighty Königsblauen still have. 

Watch: Loris Johan Cruyff Karius?

Right-back: Mads Roerslev (Brentford to Wolfsburg on loan)

Mads Roerslev has been one of the first names on the Brentford teamsheet since joining from FC Copenhagen in 2019, but with former Mainz loanee Sepp van den Berg impressing since his transfer to the Bees from Liverpool, the Dane has, perhaps surprisingly, been allowed to leave on loan. 

Wolfsburg, looking to replace the RB Leipzig-bound Ridle Baku, stand to benefit. Roerslev's international teammate Joakim Mæhle should help him settle in Lower Saxony, whilst providing some inspiration when it comes to attacking wing-back play. 

Centre-back: James Sands (New York City to St. Pauli on loan)

New York City's first homegrown player, James Sands is also now the 72nd American to feature in the Bundesliga after signing on loan with St. Pauli from NYCFC, whom he remains contracted to.

At 24, Sands' young career is already trophy-laden - an MLS Cup which followed a CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph with the USA in 2021; a Scottish Cup on loan with Rangers in 2022 - and while survival is a bigger target than silverware at the Millerntor, Pauli will be more than pleased to acquire a nascent player capable of playing in midfield and defence.

Centre-back: Mario Hermoso (Roma to Bayer Leverkusen on loan) 

A fine addition for Die Werkself, Roma-owned defender Mario Hermoso is best known for his five-year stint with Atlético Madrid, with whom he won LaLiga in 2020/21 on the way to racking up 174 appearances with the club, 29 of which came in the UEFA Champions League.

A left-footed defender, Hermoso is likely to be found on the left-hand side of Xabi Alonso's preferred three-man defence at the BayArena, but can also provide cover in wider positions should Spanish compatriot Álex Grimaldo need a rest.

In Emi Buendía (l.) and Mario Hermoso (r.), Bayer Leverkusen have picked up a pair of Spanish speakers to add some silk, and steel, to their team. - IMAGO/Norbert SCHMIDT

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Left-back: John Tolkin (Red Bull New York to Holstein Kiel)

Perhaps less known in the old world than his international teammate Sands, John Tolkin is arguably an even more exciting arrival after starring on the opposite side of the Hudson River Derby in his four seasons with New York Red Bulls, an RB Leipzig sister club.

Known as "JMi", Tolkin had 13 direct goal involvements on the Red Bulls' run to the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2023, and although his output slowed to four goals and two assists in the season just gone, it is still nonetheless a significant haul for a left-back. Tolkin takes a fine free-kick, and with four USMNT caps, the 22-year-old's future is bright. 

Right midfield: Emi Buendía (Aston Villa to Bayer Leverkusen on loan)

With Martin Terrier, Jonas Hofmann and Amine Adli all variously struggling with injuries this season, a space as the second No.10 alongside Florian Wirtz in Leverkusen's 3-4-2-1 has opened up, and Emi Buendía has been signed to fill it - for the next six months at least.

The Aston Villa-owned midfielder won an Argentina cap after helping Norwich to Premier League promotion with 15 goals and 16 assists in 2021/22, and while he struggled to recreate that form in Birmingham, his talent should be a real boon for Bayer if Alonso can help him unlock it again.

Central midfield: Carney Chukwuemeka (Chelsea to Borussia Dortmund on loan)

Once regarded as one of the most promising players to come out of Aston Villa's academy, Carney Chukwuemeka's 2022 acquisition by Chelsea appeared to be a real boon for the Blues, but as so many have found out at Stamford Bridge, his path to first-team minutes proved blocked by a ballooning squad.

Still only 21, the versatile midfielder arrives at Dortmund with something of a point to prove. An England youth international born in Austria to Nigerian parents, there could yet be a three-way international tug-of-war for his services if he does.

Central midfield: Xavi Simons (loan from PSG to RB Leipzig made permanent)

Whilst not technically a new player to the Bundesliga, Xavi's permanent signing at Leipzig from Paris Saint-Germain is an important one indeed, with the Dutch former Barcelona academy player lighting up the league since first arriving on loan at the start of last season.

Xavi has scored 15 goals and laid on 19 more in his 61 games in all competitions, which have included a Supercup win in 2023, and has either made or taken a goal well inside every two games he has played. It's little wonder he is now the Saxony side's record transfer.

Left midfield: Jan-Niklas Beste (Benfica to Freiburg)

Jan-Niklas Beste was a revelation upon Heidenheim's promotion to the Bundesliga in 2023, ending that campaign with eight goals, 13 assists and a call-up to Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad.

While injury meant that a maiden senior international appearance didn't materialise, a transfer to UEFA Champions League regulars Benfica did. A fine free-kick taker, he will compete with Vincenzo Grifo for set-piece duty at Freiburg, whether he lines up on the opposite flank or slots in behind him as a deputy left-back.

Striker: Michy Batshuayi (Galatasaray to Eintracht Frankfurt)

Michy Batshuayi is back in the Bundesliga seven years after his blistering introduction at Borussia Dortmund. Signed on loan from Chelsea in January 2018 to replace the Arsenal-bound Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Batshuayi scored seven goals in his first 10 Bundesliga games, adding another two from four in the UEFA Europa League that season.

The Belgian has banged in goals far and wide before and since, from Marseille and Crystal Palace to the big three in Türkiye: Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe and Galatasaray. Omar Marmoush, now of Manchester City, leaves big boots to fill, but Batshuayi has shown himself more than up to similar tasks before.

Watch: All of Batshuayi's goals for Dortmund

Striker: Elye Wahi (Marseille to Eintracht Frankfurt)

Speaking of filling Marmoush's boots, Elye Wahi is the player perhaps more stylistically suited to doing so, the svelte young Frenchman having transferred from Marseille to join Batshuayi in Frankfurt.

The top-scoring teenager in Europe with Montpellier a few short seasons ago, Wahi is a rapper in his spare time, and you wouldn't bet against Die Adler making music now that he and Batshuayi have joined an attacking department that already includes Hugo Ekitiké.