The upcoming season will be the 25th edition of the Premier League and we’re taking a look back over the last quarter of a century at some of the highlights and lowlights of the best league in the world.
Clubs now spend extortionate amounts of money on players, but some of the best players have been signed for free. Here we look at some of the best Premier League signings whose transfer fee cost less than a Freddo.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
PSG -> Manchester United, 2016
He’s yet to kick a ball in the Premier League, but there’s been much fanfare about his arrival, mostly out of his own mouth. He’s set to re-unite with old boss Jose Mourinho and his powers have shown no signs of diminishing. His track record suggests he’ll bring a winning mentality to a team that so desperately needs it.
Michael Ballack
Bayern Munich -> Chelsea, 2006
Ballack signed for Chelsea from Bayern Munich in 2006 and repaid them with four excellent seasons. He left West London, having won the Premier League, three FA Cups, the League Cup and as a Champions League runner-up, adding to what was already a glistening trophy cabinet.
Sol Campbell
Tottenham -> Arsenal, 2001
In one of the most controversial moves in Premier League history, Campbell moved for free from Spurs to North London rivals Arsenal in 2001. He went on to win two Premier League titles, including being a part of the Invincibles team of 2004 and three FA Cups in his time at Highbury, but he will always be known as Judas to the Spurs faithful.
Victor Valdes
Manchester United -> Middlesbrough, 2016
Valdes has made two free transfers in his time in the Premier League, but his one to Middlesbrough will undoubtedly be more successful than his first, after he was frozen out by Louis Van Gaal at Old Trafford. He’s still yet to play for Middlesbrough, but he could be the difference between relegation and survival for them this season.
Jay-Jay Okocha
PSG -> Bolton, 2002
Sam Allardyce lured Okocha to Bolton from Paris (how????) and the Nigerian was at one point the most expensive African player. Although he never won anything in the North West, he was immortalised with the chant, “so good they named him twice.”
Demba Ba
West Ham -> Newcastle, 2011
Following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship in 2011, Ba was snapped up on a free transfer by Newcastle. The Senegalese international went on to score 29 goals in 54 appearances for the Magpies before Chelsea triggered his release clause in 2013.
Markus Babbel
Bayern Munich -> Liverpool, 2000
Babbel arrived at Anfield from Bayern Munich and was an instant success. His rampaging runs down the right hand side led to many goals, including one in the UEFA Cup final, and he was part of the side which won a Cup treble in 2001. Illness curtailed his Liverpool career and he returned to Germany four years later.
Esteban Cambiasso
Inter Milan -> Leicester, 2014
Cambiasso arrived at Leicester in 2014 after a trophy laden spell at Inter Milan. A new challenge awaited him and the Foxes avoided relegation, whilst he went on to claim the club’s Player of the Season award. The rest is history…
Gianluca Vialli
Juventus -> Chelsea, 1996
There’s something that happens to Italians when they move to Stamford Bridge, where they become loved and successful. Vialli was no different after arriving from Juventus with a Champions League winner’s medal. He went on to win an FA Cup and League Cup double, before taking over as manager and achieving even more success.
Kevin Davies
Southampton -> Bolton, 2003
Davies’ career was just plodding along before Sam Allardyce signed him for Bolton in 2003. Big Sam turned him into the bruising centre forward that he’s now known for, and he eventually won an England cap. He scored 74 goals in his 10 years at Bolton.
Brad Friedel
Liverpool -> Blackburn, 2000
Friedel was signed by Graeme Souness whilst he was in charge at Blackburn in 2000, and the American goalkeeper went on to have the best spell of his career at Ewood Park. He was part of the team that got promoted to the Premier League and stayed for 8 years before moving onto Aston Villa.
Gary McAllister
Coventry -> Liverpool, 2000
Many questioned Gerard Houllier’s decision to sign a 35 year old on a free transfer in 2000, but McAllister went on to play a key role in the Cup treble winning season. His most memorable moment was a 44 yard free kick which won a Merseyside Derby against arch rivals Everton in injury time.
Mathieu Flamini
Marseille -> Arsenal, 2004
AC Milan -> Arsenal, 2013
Wenger loved Flamini so much that he signed him for free twice. His return to North London in 2013 was initially seen as a stop-gap, but such was Arsenal’s injury crisis and Wenger’s reluctance to sign anyone, that he became a permanent fixture in the team. He was better in his first spell than his second.
Steven Davis
Rangers -> Southampton, 2012
Rangers’ financial mire saw Davis move to Southampton in 2012, where he’s remained ever since. He’s since gone on to have a great career on the south coast and has made over 135 appearances for the Saints. He’s played a vital role in a side, which has seen many of its stars leave over the last few seasons.
Gareth Barry
Manchester City -> Everton, 2014
Barry impressed on a season long loan at Everton and was signed on a free transfer at the end of the 2013/14 season. Never an unenthusiastic individual, he became the first player to receive 100 yellow cards in the Premier League, but his passion can never be called into question.
James Milner
Manchester City -> Liverpool, 2015
Milner’s been heavily criticised for being a good player, but not outstanding. He’s still a player of Premier League class however and it was a big surprise when he was allowed to leave Manchester City for free in 2015, following some impressive performances. He went on to make 28 league appearances in his first season at Anfield.
Ruud Gullit
Sampdoria -> Chelsea, 1995
Injuries hampered Gullit’s time in Italy, but he was still known as one of the finest players of his generation. He was deployed as a sweeper by Glenn Hoddle, before taking over as manager and leading the Blues to FA Cup victory in 1997.
Mark Schwarzer
Middlesbrough -> Fulham, 2008
The Australian goalkeeper moved to Fulham in 2008, calling time on an 11 year stay at Middlesbrough which ended in relegation. Despite being 35 when he arrived at Craven Cottage, he went on to play a key role in his five seasons at Fulham.
Bacary Sagna
Arsenal -> Manchester City, 2014
Arsenal allowed Sagna’s contract to run down, letting Manchester City sign him for free in 2014. He’s shown that he’s still up to the standard of the Premier League however, and was also France’s first choice right back in Euro 2016.
Adrian
Real Betis -> West Ham, 2013
It took Adrian a year to usurp Jussi Jaaskelainen as West Ham’s first choice goalkeeper, but he’s been superb since. He’s now become an integral part to Slaven Bilic’s side and was sorely missed when absent last season.
Steve Staunton
Liverpool -> Aston Villa, 2000
Staunton spent seven years at Villa Park between 1991 and 1998, before returning on a free transfer for a second stint in 2000. He went on to make over 280 appearances for the Villains, before permanently leaving in 2003.