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No Price Tag, No Problem; The Stories of Football's Free Agents

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No Price Tag, No Problem; The Stories of Football's Free Agents
"It's cheap, but it's not cheap." This phrase is frequently used in advertisements to highlight products that are low in price yet high in quality and functionality. This principle also applies to free agents in the sports world—players who are available without a transfer fee after their contracts with previous clubs end.

A group of soccer players in action, representing free agents who have excelled after joining new teams.


Free agents often appeal to clubs looking to bolster their squads while minimizing expenses. Being a free agent doesn't necessarily mean a player is past their prime or lacking in quality. Many free agents still possess significant value and have proven themselves at their new clubs. Here are some examples of free agents who have thrived after joining new teams.

Ilkay Gundogan

After playing a pivotal role in Manchester City's historic treble-winning 202223 season, 33-year-old Ilkay Gundogan was released on a free transfer in July 2023. Despite Pep Guardiola's desire to keep him, Gundogan and the club mutually decided not to extend his contract.

Seizing the opportunity, Barcelona, long interested in the midfielder, brought Gundogan to La Liga on a free transfer. Determined to embrace a new challenge, Gundogan joined La Blaugrana and quickly proved that his value far exceeds the free tag.

While the reigning La Liga champions struggled with consistency in the 202324 season, Gundogan continued to shine. Despite his age, he delivered outstanding performances, ranking fourth in the league for key passes (45) and fifth for through passes (11).

Isco

Once a prodigy at Malaga, Isco Alarcon's career had dimmed over the past two seasons. After being released by Real Madrid, he struggled at Sevilla, where a decline in performance and injuries led to his contract being terminated at the end of December 2022.

Following his release, Isco faced difficulties finding a new club and was nearly unemployed for seven months. He came close to joining Union Berlin but failed a medical. However, he eventually found a fresh start with Real Betis.

Reuniting with his former Malaga coach, Manuel Pellegrini, at Betis has revitalized Isco's career. Under Pellegrini's guidance, Isco has regained his sharpness, fitness, and flair, showcasing the skills that once made him a standout player. It's heartening to see Isco rediscovering his joy and form on the field.

Marcus Thuram

Born to a French football legend, Marcus Thuram inherited a deep footballing pedigree. He established himself as a key player for Borussia Monchengladbach last season, earning a spot in Didier Deschamps' France national team.

Despite his impressive performance, Gladbach couldn't secure a contract extension for Thuram by the end of the 202223 season, allowing him to leave on a free transfer in the summer of 2023. This opportunity was eagerly pursued by several top European clubs, but it was Inter Milan that successfully signed Lilian Thuram's son.

Marcus Thuram joined Inter as a free agent, but he was far from a typical free transfer. His quality made him an invaluable addition to the team, a fact quickly proven by his outstanding performance. Thuram seamlessly adapted to his new club, forming an effective partnership with Lautaro Martinez and adeptly filling the void left by Romelu Lukaku.

Alex Grimaldo

Bayer Leverkusen is generating buzz thanks to their strong performances in both the Bundesliga and the Europa League. Under Xabi Alonso's guidance, the team remained unbeaten through the first 18 weeks of the Bundesliga season. A key player contributing to Die Werkself's success is Alex Grimaldo.

Alejandro Grimaldo, known as Alex Grimaldo, joined Leverkusen on a free transfer from Portuguese club Benfica. Before his move, there were rumors of him joining Barcelona in 2022, but the transfer did not materialize. When it came time to negotiate a contract extension, Grimaldo opted to leave Benfica for free.

At Leverkusen, Grimaldo quickly established himself as the first-choice left-back. His offensive skills have been effectively utilized by Alonso, and he has also improved his long-range shooting accuracy, scoring occasionally from free kicks. In 18 Bundesliga games, Grimaldo has recorded seven goals and nine assists, impressive stats that likely make Benfica regret not securing a transfer fee for his departure.

Jonny Evans

Returning to a former club became the chosen path for Jonny Evans' career. After Leicester City's relegation, Evans' contract was automatically terminated as part of the deal. At 35, becoming a free agent was a challenging situation for Evans, leaving him uncertain about whether to end his career or seek a new club.

Amid these doubts, Manchester United stepped in, offering Evans a place to train and maintain his fitness. After attending several training sessions, manager Erik Ten Hag was impressed by Evans' performance. Consequently, the Dutch coach offered him a short-term, one-year contract.

Evans' return to the United squad has had a positive impact. With Harry Maguire's inconsistency and Lisandro Martinez still recovering from injury, Evans emerged as a crucial solution. His experience and composure have strengthened the team's defensive organization. Notably, Evans played a key role in Manchester United's draw against Liverpool a few weeks ago, highlighting his importance to the squad.

Angel Di Maria

The goalscorer in the 2022 World Cup final, Angel Di Maria, was released by Juventus on a free transfer to Benfica last summer. Despite being content at Juve and wanting to extend his stay by at least another year, the club decided to part ways with Di Maria to make room for Timothy Weah.

Being released by a club like Juventus led some to believe that Di Maria was past his prime. However, Benfica had faith that he could still perform well in the Portuguese league. Di Maria repaid this trust handsomely.

He continued his consistent scoring form, netting goals in the first five games. At 35, Di Maria has remained a key player for Benfica, always being the first choice in the squad. So far, he has tallied seven goals and three assists in 15 Portuguese League matches, demonstrating that he still has plenty to offer.

Daley Blind

Daley Blind's journey led him to Girona, where he was signed on a free transfer. After parting ways with Ajax amid a dispute with coach Alfred Schreuder, Blind struggled to secure a new club. His brief stint at Bayern Munich on a short-term contract didn't yield results, leaving him without a team at the end of the 202223 season.

Girona seized the opportunity to bolster their squad with minimal expenditure, signing Blind on a short-term deal. Despite the challenges, Blind has proven his worth and commitment, earning a contract extension until 2025.

At 33, Blind continues to showcase his skills at the highest level. He has become indispensable to the Girona squad, bringing versatility and exceptional ball distribution skills. His contributions have been instrumental in Girona's success, propelling them to the top of the La Liga standings.


source: Football Faithfull, Sports Mole, BTL, Transfermarkt

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