It was a busy transfer window for Championship clubs with managers from both ends of the table looking to add a spark to their side, and finish the season on a high.

According to Deloitte, Championship spending totalled around £35m as clubs up and down the division added to their squads in search of securing promotion or their place in the second tier.

While that figure shows just how much was spent in transfer fees, a number of astute loan signings were made who could make the difference in the business end of the season.

The chase for promotion has really intensified this season due to the financial benefits of being in the top flight next season, and around 70% of the £35m figure spent on transfer fees was spent by clubs in the top six.

Here is the best Championship XI from January transfer window signings.....

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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE XI!

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GK: Anders Lindegaard (Preston)

Preston manager Simon Grayson was dealt a huge blow at the start of the January transfer window, when highly-rated Jordan Pickford was recalled by Sunderland as they look to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

While Manchester United's Sam Johnstone came in on a temporary basis, West Brom 'keeper Lindegaard moved to Deepdale for the rest of the season and he could be key player for the club this season.

A former number 1 at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, Lindegaard clearly has the ability but has struggled to get opportunities at United and West Brom. He could be the difference between Preston staying up and going down.

RB: Jack Hunt (Sheffield Wednesday)

The 25-year-old full-back was highly-rated as a youngster at Huddersfield Town but had struggled since his move to Crystal Palace in 2013, finding himself out on loan four times, including the first half of this season with new club Sheffield Wednesday.

After being extremely impressive in 22 league appearances on loan at Carlos Carvalhal's side, he agreed a permanent deal at Hillsborough as the Owls chase a play-off place.

Signing Hunt on a permanent deal will have been high the Owls' to do list this winter and his presence in the team over the next few years could be crucial.

CB: Ritchie De Laet (Middlesbrough)

A signing that went slightly under the radar due to Boro also adding a certain striker to their squad, but getting the Belgian defender on loan could be a master stroke by manager Aitor Karanka.

Capable of playing anywhere across the back four and having experience at promotion and in the Premier League, the 27-year-old will give Boro a versatile option at the back.

With the departure of Fernando Amorebieta and the injury to George Friend, the signing of the former Manchester United defender is a timely one for the Teessiders.

CB: James Tarkowski (Burnley)

After over a month of being linked with a move to Sean Dyche's Burnley, the 23-year-old completed a deadline day move to Turf Moor for a fee that could rise to £6m.

The Clarets are chasing an immediate return to the Premier League and they added one of the most talented centre-backs in the division to partner Michael Keane at the back.

He'll be a massive miss for Brentford but will be a huge asset for Burnley as they look to improve an already impressive defence that has only conceded 26 goals in 28 league games.

LB: Marcus Olsson (Derby County)

Paul Clement's Derby are out of form at the minute, going without a win in their last six league games, and the former Real Madrid assistant has bolstered his ranks with the signing of Swedish left-back Marcus Olsson.

With Stephen Warnock the only specialist left-back prior to Olsson's move to the iPro, the 27-year-old gives the Rams' additional quality on the left hand side of defence.

The Swede, whose brother Martin plays for Norwich, will give Derby an attacking presence down the left hand side and could be an important player in the race for promotion.

RW: Anthony Knockaert (Brighton)

The former Leicester winger joined Chris Hughton's Brighton side during the window for an undisclosed fee from Belgian side Standard Liege.

The 24-year-old left Leicester City on a free transfer in the summer after helping his side maintain their Premier League status and he could be a crucial signing for the Seagulls as they seek promotion.

Knockaert has experience in this division and his creativity could be crucial as Brighton seek a place in the Premier League next season.

CM: Steve Sidwell (Brighton)

Another Brighton signing and another player who has experience in the top flight. The former Reading and Fulham midfielder has played over 180 games in the top flight.

Along with that quality comes experience, at 33, Sidwell will be a helping hand for some of the younger members of the first team, particularly highly-rated Dale Stephens.

Signing the central midfielder on loan until the end of the season could be a very astute move for Chris Hughton, and could be key to Brighton's promotion chase.

LW: Aiden McGeady (Sheffield Wednesday)

Sheffield Wednesday manager Carlos Carvalhal has, just like in the summer, been supported by his board and has been able to bring in some top quality additions. One of most eye-catching was Everton winger Aiden McGeady on a season-long loan deal.

The former Celtic winger has 79 caps for the Republic of Ireland and has also played over 50 times in Europe at club level, so his record is not something to be scoffed at.

The talented winger could go quite far in helping the Owls achieve their goals this season and if he can find his feet quickly, he could be a huge asset.

AM: Diego Fabbrini (Birmingham City)

When Birmingham sold Demarai Gray to Premier League leaders Leicester City, Blues boss Gary Rowett knew that he needed to add some creativity to his side, and he turned to a player that massively impressed on loan last season.

Watford's Diego Fabbrini was on loan at high flying Middlesbrough but Birmingham convinced the Italian to cut short his stay at the Riverside and join them on a permanent deal instead.

The reported £1.5m fee could be a bargain for Birmingham if Fabbrini manages to win the club some extra points, as is expected of the 25-year-old talisman.

ST: Gary Hooper (Sheffield Wednesday)

Relief swept around Hillsborough when Sheffield Wednesday managed to sign long-term target Gary Hooper on an emergency loan deal from Norwich in October and the former Celtic man duly delivered with 6 goals in 12 games.

Following the success of his loan spell with the club, Carlos Carvalhal was keen to make his move a permanent one and he did just that in the transfer window as the 28-year-old agreed a three-and-a-half year deal with the club.

Should he continue his goalscoring form with the Owls, they could well find themselves in the play-off places and looking to earn a return to the Premier League.

ST: Jordan Rhodes (Middlesbrough)

The big transfer in the Championship last month was undoubtedly the move that saw Jordan Rhodes move from Blackburn to title challengers Middlesbrough in a £9m move on deadline day.

While that fee is a significant one, and it could rise to £11m should Boro get promoted, Rhodes guarantees goals and if he fires Boro to the Premier League then the deal will look an absolute steal.

The transfer was the biggest deal done by a Championship club during the January transfer window and it could be the most important one in terms of promotion.