6 modern Premier League legends who have secured transfers this summer

Away from the big-spending summers of the Premier League's big guns, there have been a number of other deals completed in Europe and beyond.

We're not just talking about the big-money moves, either, though there have been plenty of those. Robert Lewandowski's Barcelona switch and Matthijs de Ligt trading Juventus for Bayern Munich are among the higher-profile European moves as some of Europe's finest have been traded for big money off the back of big seasons.

Elsewhere, though, there have been more low-key moves involving players who were once among the best around. Here, Mirror Football takes a closer look at some of the recent Premier League legends preparing for a season in pastures new.

Luis Suarez

Just 12 months after helping Atletico Madrid win La Liga, Luis Suarez has left the club. In eight years in Spain with Atleti and Barcelona, he scored a phenomenal 179 league goals, with a high of 40 in the 2015-16 season.

After a number of Premier League links, including suggestions of a reunion with former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, the Uruguayan went down a very different path. At the age of 35 he has rejoined Nacional, the Montevideo side where he began his career as a teenager.

"I've now reached a pre-agreement in order to join Nacional, it was impossible for me to say no to this opportunity," the veteran announced in a social media video. The club confirmed the "dream" return in late July, more than a decade and a half after he first left the club for Europe.

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Cesc Fabregas

Another 35-year-old, Fabregas starred in the Premier League during two separate stints. After earning the captaincy at Arsenal as a youngster, the Spanish international joined Chelsea in 2014 and helped them win the league title under Jose Mourinho.

Fabregas has spent the last three-and-a-half years in Ligue 1 with Monaco, but featured sparingly last term. His next move is a more surprising one, though - he has made a switch to Serie B side Como 1907, praising the ambition of the outfit.

"I am looking to build a long-term future here not just on the pitch but also off it too," the veteran said upon signing. "I believed in the vision from the first moment and I have decided to invest personally to be part of the bigger picture."

Aaron Ramsey

Another former Arsenal star, Ramsey left English football not long after Fabregas' second spell in the Premier League came to the end. Like his one-time teammate, the Welshman has been on the move after a difficult spell on the continent.

Injury problems had plagued Ramsey's Juventus stint, and he ended last season on loan at Rangers. Rather than joining the Scottish club permanently, though, the 31-year-old has opted to join Ligue 1 side Nice after leaving Italy early.

On social media, Ramsey said he "can't wait to get started" at his new club. He'll hope to pick up regular minutes under manager Lucien Favre to prepare him well for the World Cup.

Kasper Schmeichel

Ramsey isn't the only player on his way to Nice. Leicester goalkeeper Schmeichel is on the cusp of a move to the Europa League qualifiers, and is expected to sign a deal until 2025.

He will join compatriot Kasper Dolberg at the Allianz Riviera, while replacing Walter Benitez between the sticks. Argentine goalkeeper Benitez played more than 150 times for Nice before joining PSV Eindhoven this summer.

Schmeichel's Leicester exit, once confirmed, will end a spell with the English club which has lasted more than a decade. The 35-year-old leaves with more than 400 league games under his belt, including all 38 in the 2015-16 season as the Foxes won their first Premier League title.

Pepe Reina

Another goalkeeper on the move, Reina had two separate Premier League stints. However, his 2019-20 loan at Aston Villa pales in comparison to the 285 top-flight appearances he made for Liverpool.

The Spaniard has spent the last seven years in Italy, turning out for Napoli, AC Milan and Lazio. Now, though, he has opted to return to former club Villarreal at the age of 39.

"I am really pleased. I couldn't have a better end to my career," Reina said upon rejoining the Yellow Submarine. "I want to retire here. I want the club to continue to grow and continue to be a model club in Spain and across Europe."

Gareth Bale

While Ramsey's World Cup preparations are keeping him in Europe, Bale is taking a different approach. Like Suarez, the Welshman's time at the very top in the Premier League was a while ago, but fans of Tottenham Hotspur have not forgotten his impact.

Bale spent time back at Spurs on loan in the 2020-21 season amid a quiet end to life as a Real Madrid player. Now, though, he has completed a switch to Los Angeles FC as they push for MLS glory this season.

"There are simply not many players in the world who can have an impact on a match like Gareth Bale," LAFC boss Steve Cherundolo said. "He can be dangerous in so many different ways, and we expect him to complement what we believe is already a strong team from the moment he arrives."