Brilliant bargains: the best free transfers in football
While Manchester City’s oil-rich owners may have more money than they know what to do with, they still understand the value of a good deal. So when FC Barcelona offered their former captain İlkay Gündoğan for free, City’s top brass must have been over the moon.
Gündoğan isn’t the first player to make a splash with a free transfer, though. This all started on December 15, 1995, when the European Court of Justice ruled in favor of Belgian footballer Jean-Marc Bosman.
Back then, even if a player’s contract had ended, the new club still had to pay a transfer fee to the old club. Bosman’s club, Liège, demanded an unrealistic sum of around €550,000 from Dunkerque for the midfielder, causing the transfer to fall through.
Frustrated, Bosman took the matter to court, arguing that football’s rules conflicted with the European Union’s principle of free movement of workers. After a lengthy legal battle, the European Court sided with Bosman, paving the way for what is now known as the “Bosman Rule.”
This landmark decision has benefited hundreds, if not thousands, of players over the years, including Gündoğan. Here are some of the most famous examples of brilliant free transfers in football history.
Roberto Baggio (Milan to Bologna, 1997)
Dubbed “The Divine Ponytail,” Roberto Baggio was thought to be past his prime when he left Milan in 1997. Parma’s Carlo Ancelotti even passed on him for free. Bologna took a gamble, and it paid off big time. Baggio exploded with 22 goals and six assists, propelling Bologna from relegation fears to a solid eighth-place finish. His revival earned him a World Cup spot and a dream move to Inter Milan.
Phillip Cocu (PSV Eindhoven to Barcelona, 1998)
In 1998, Phillip Cocu snubbed Real Madrid, Juventus, and Inter Milan to join Barcelona on a free transfer. The versatile Dutchman became a linchpin in Barça’s midfield, amassing 291 appearances—a record for foreign players until Messi. Though silverware was scarce during his tenure, Cocu’s leadership and consistency were invaluable, and he eventually lifted a La Liga title.
Luis Enrique (Real Madrid to Barcelona, 1996)
Luis Enrique’s 1996 switch from Real Madrid to Barcelona remains one of football’s most shocking Bosman moves. He crossed the bitter divide and quickly won over the Camp Nou faithful. At Barcelona, Enrique won two La Liga titles, two Copa del Reys, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. His success as a player foreshadowed his later triumphs as the club’s coach, where he added a Champions League title to his legacy.
Cafu (Roma to AC Milan, 2003)
By 2003, Cafu was already a footballing legend, but many thought his best days were behind him. AC Milan disagreed, snapping him up for free. The Brazilian right-back didn’t just age gracefully—he dominated. Cafu helped Milan win Serie A and the 2007 Champions League, proving that age is just a number.
Henrik Larsson (Celtic to Barcelona, 2004)
Henrik Larsson, a Celtic icon, finally took on a new challenge in 2004, joining Barcelona on a free transfer. Despite an injury-plagued first season, Larsson’s moment of glory came in the 2006 Champions League final, where his two assists secured Barça’s 2-1 comeback win over Arsenal.
Esteban Cambiasso (Real Madrid to Inter Milan, 2004; Inter Milan to Leicester City, 2014)
Esteban Cambiasso’s career boasts two stellar Bosman moves. First, he left Real Madrid for Inter Milan in 2004, becoming the heartbeat of a team that won five Serie A titles and the 2010 Champions League. A decade later, Cambiasso joined Leicester City and was instrumental in their fight against relegation, setting the stage for their fairy-tale title win the following year.
Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich to Chelsea, 2006)
Michael Ballack’s 2006 move to Chelsea was one of the era’s biggest free transfers. The German midfielder formed a fearsome partnership with Frank Lampard, helping Chelsea secure two Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and a League Cup.
Steve McManaman (Liverpool to Real Madrid, 1999)
Steve McManaman’s decision to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid on a free transfer in 1999 raised eyebrows. The English winger quickly silenced doubters, playing a pivotal role in Madrid’s Champions League triumph in his debut season. He added another Champions League title and two La Liga crowns, cementing his place in the club’s history.
Sol Campbell (Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal, 2001)
Sol Campbell’s shocking move from Tottenham to Arsenal on a free transfer in 2001 sparked outrage among Spurs fans. Yet, Campbell thrived, anchoring Arsenal’s defense during their “Invincibles” season and winning two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.
Paul Pogba (Manchester United to Juventus, 2012)
Paul Pogba’s 2012 departure from Manchester United to Juventus is a Bosman masterstroke. Pogba blossomed in Turin, winning four Serie A titles and helping Juventus reach the 2015 Champions League final. His return to United for a world-record fee in 2016 made Juventus’ initial investment look genius.
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan to Juventus, 2011)
Andrea Pirlo’s free transfer from AC Milan to Juventus in 2011 is legendary. Milan thought he was done; Juventus knew better. Pirlo steered the club to four straight Serie A titles, reasserting their dominance in Italian football.
Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich, 2014)
In 2014, Robert Lewandowski swapped Dortmund for Bayern Munich on a free transfer, and the rest is history. He became one of the world’s top strikers, bagging Bundesliga titles and a Champions League trophy.
James Milner (Manchester City to Liverpool, 2015)
James Milner’s 2015 free transfer to Liverpool was underrated at first. But Milner, known as “Mr. Reliable,” became a vital cog in Jürgen Klopp’s machine, setting a Champions League assists record in 2017-18 and helping Liverpool to Premier League and Champions League glory.
Miroslav Klose (Bayern Munich to Lazio, 2011)
Miroslav Klose, Germany’s all-time top scorer, defied expectations when he joined Lazio from Bayern Munich in 2011. He immediately made an impact, scoring 63 goals in 170 appearances and helping Lazio win the 2013 Coppa Italia.
Lionel Messi (Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, 2021)
The football world was shocked in 2021 when Lionel Messi, arguably the GOAT, left Barcelona for PSG on a free transfer. Financial woes forced Barcelona’s hand. Messi adapted quickly, winning Ligue 1 and adding a seventh Ballon d’Or to his collection.
David Alaba (Bayern Munich to Real Madrid, 2021)
David Alaba’s 2021 free transfer to Real Madrid was a masterstroke. The versatile defender filled the void left by Sergio Ramos and Raphaël Varane, guiding Madrid to La Liga and Champions League titles in his debut season.
