They say there are no bargains in football any more. Think again…
Of all the businesses in the world, football might be the one with the most inflated prices of all. I mean, Peter Crouch’s career transfer fees are north of €50million at this stage and there are countless players who have gone for way more money than they ever should, such as that Belgian fella that rhymes with Barouane Tellaini.
But the bargain bin of football isn’t always full of crocked ex-internationals and up-and-comers who never upped and went anywhere. Occasionally, just occasionally, there is a real diamond to be found. A player who costs you nowt but who wins you it all. Sure, thanks to the Bosman Ruling, clubs probably had to hand over a massive wedge of cash in wages, but the transfer was free gratis.
So, without further ado, here’s six of the best freebies ever picked up in football. We still don’t know how [insert your own club’s name here] didn’t pick these guys up.
Andrea Pirlo
We’d pay a decent slice of our salary for just one hair off his beard so how the majestic Italian went from AC Milan to Juventus in 2011 for nothing is close to scandalous. After a mutual decision to let him leave (Silvio, hang your head) Pirlo rocked up at the Old Lady and helped them to three Serie A titles on the bounce. Now 35, Pirlo is arguably ageing just as well as one of his fine wines, so this deal just gets better and better for the Turin club.
Sol Campbell
The defender’s move across north London from Spurs to Arsenal was one of the most acrimonious free transfers of all time, but almost one of the most astute. Campbell was a huge success at Arsenal, helping the club to two League titles, three FA cup wins and a Champions League final, in which Campbell scored. By the time he left, in the summer of 2006, Campbell had played almost 200 games for the Gunners.
Kevin Davies
The veteran striker may not be the biggest of names on this list, but what a bit of business his capture in 2003 was by Sam Allardyce. Released by Southampton that summer, Davies was picked up for free and he went on to have a decade of success at Bolton, becoming captain, leading the team to a league Cup final, earning an England cap and playing over 400 games for the Trotters. The famously awkward striker may not have won many friends with defenders, but he was a sensational leader for 10 years.
Brad Friedel
Around so long that transfers were conducted in shillings, guineas and groats (we’re joking Brad) a move the American made when he was a sprightly 29-year-old deserves to be on this list.
Liverpool decided to let him go in 2000, thinking that Sander Westerveld was a better bet (!) so Blackburn nabbed Friedel for free. In eight years Friedel was a virtual ever present, playing 287 times, scoring once (see below) and Rovers even managed to make a profit on the deal, as Aston Villa paid £2m for his services in 2008.
Gary McAllister
The arrival of a 36-year old Scot wasn’t really what Liverpool fans expected in the summer of 2000 but McAllister was a very smart pick up by Gerard Houllier after Coventry let him go. The midfielder was sent off on his debut but he went on to play an integral part for Liverpool as they went on to a Cup treble that season.
Henrik Larsson
After a glittering, goal-laden time at Celtic, the Swede decided to leave in the summer of 2004. Barcelona stepped in and picked up the 32-year old and it was a brilliant decision. Two La Liga titles and a Champions League win followed in his two seasons at the Camp Nou, and in a team of existing and burgeoning talent at that time, Larsson shone very brightly.
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