Connect with us
Advertisement

Sports

Okocha, Pogba And Others Rank In The Top 10 Greatest Free Transfers Of All Time

Published

on

Bayern win bundesliga title

Super Eagles Captain, Austin Jay Jay Okocha, and France international, Paul Pogba have been named among the greatest free transfers of all time.

Such deals⁰ are much-appreciated at a time when clubs are demanding fees that are outrageous the moment a player exhibits a moment of brilliance.

Naija News honours individuals that were successful in poaching the transfer market at the perfect time.

The following is a list of the finest free signings ever made:

10. Jay-Jay Okocha

The Nigerian International moved from Paris Saint-Germain to Bolton.

Okocha’s time at Bolton, which began in 2002 when he teamed up with Sam Allardyce’s difficult Wanderers, is nothing short of legendary. Their magnificent Super Eagles player was a major deal for Les Parisiens, winning over the fans with his brilliance and flair.

9. Thiago Silva

In 2019–2020, Paris Saint-Germain was eager to replace their veteran presence. Chelsea gambled on the seasoned Brazilian, and while they fell short at the domestic level, Silva’s presence was crucial overall. He fit well in and appeared at ease playing the English game.

8. Michael Ballack

In May 2006, Chelsea stepped in and won the battle to sign the free agent Ballack, which could be seen as an underrated purchase made by the London club.

The German was a wise acquisition from Bayern Munich, playing at the base of Chelsea’s midfield for four years and effectively screening the game. Ballack went on to win three FA Cups, one Premier League title, and Playing a Champions League final in 2008.

7. Esteban Cambiasso

In 2004, Cambiasso left Real Madrid as a free agent for Inter Milan after a quiet two-year stay in Spain.

The Argentine reached a new height after being signed by Inter. Over the course of a decade, Cambiasso thrived in Italy and gained the status of one of the game’s most perceptive and esteemed midfielders.

6. Andrea Pirlo

The Rossoneri believed Pirlo was no longer useful to them in 2011 after serving Milan for ten years and turning thirty.

The seasoned midfielder was signed by Juventus on a free transfer, and he showed that experience is worth more than the age. Pirlo appeared completely revived in Turin and continued to put on top-notch performances up until his departure in 2015.

5. Edinson Cavani

It’s fair to say that United’s decision to wait until the deadline day of that summer to sign Cavani demonstrated that it was somewhat of a last-minute decision. Cavani left Paris at the conclusion of the 2019–20 season and it was a successful transfer deal for the Red Devils.

The Uruguayan left United supporters pleading for another season after scoring 17 goals across all competitions.

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic left Paris for free in 2016 after spending four years there, winning numerous domestic awards and scoring a tonne of goals.

The Swede was signed by United on a free transfer, and he had a huge impact which he scored 28 goals.

3. Paul Pogba

In 2012, when Mino Raiola was already a part of Paul Pogba’s camp and a new contract couldn’t be reached, Manchester United was content to release the young midfielder.

He was signed by Juventus, and the Frenchman went off in Italy. Four league league titles, countless Twitter mashups, and calls for the world’s top midfielder. When United re-signed Pogba in 2016, Juventus made a record-breaking £89 million profit thanks to his performance.

2. Demba Ba

Ba was only signed by West Ham in 2011 on a pay-as-you-play basis because of injury worries, and he was a loss to them just as early.

After the Hammers were demoted that summer, Newcastle snatched up the intriguing Senegal international for free. He later joined forces with Papiss Cisse to form one of the best strike combinations in the Premier League.

1. Robert Lewandowski

Even though it was inevitable, Bayern Munich pulled off an absolute business stroke of genius.

Lewandowski, who by 2014 was scoring goals for fun, was one of Borussia Dortmund’s most sought-after players in Europe. Bayern snatched him up on a pre-contract agreement despite interest from the Premier League clubs. He went from being a free transfer to priceless after scoring 41 league goals in one Bundesliga season, winning numerous trophies, and setting several other records.