15 Best Free Transfers in Football History (Ranked)

Football has seen its fair share of huge transfer fees paid for players over the years, and the inflated market shows little sign of slowing down. There are, however, still bargains to be found in the transfer market.

Since the Belgian midfielder Jean-Marc Bosman successfully sued his club Standard Liege at the European Court of Justice in 1995, players have been able to move without a transfer fee to another team once their contract expires. The free agent pool is regularly unfairly judged, with many seeing it as a place for ageing players.

However, some of the world’s best players have found themselves without a contract before getting snapped up by a savvy side. Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe is one of several high-profile stars to have moved between clubs without commanding a fee. Here is a look at the best free transfers in football history.

Ranking Factors

• Honours won
• Influence at previous club
• Difficulty of competition
• Profit made

15 Zlatan Ibrahimovic

PSG to Manchester United – 2016

Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a Swedish hero. On a free from PSG, he cost Manchester United zero. The Old Trafford faithful would gleefully remind opposition supporters of this fact with a chant that the man himself described as his favourite from a star-studded career.

When Jose Mourinho took the United job, he called upon a man he knew all too well from their days together at Inter Milan. With a point to prove and a chip on his shoulder, Ibrahimovic bagged 28 goals in the 2016-17 season as the Red Devils went on to have their most successful season in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, scooping up the EFL Cup and the Europa League.

14 David Alaba

Bayern Munich to Real Madrid – 2021

Having come through the ranks at Bayern Munich and winning all that there was to win in Germany, David Alaba decided to take his talents elsewhere as Real Madrid came calling in 2021. The Austrian was already established as one of the best defenders in the world and moved to the Spanish capital to emphasise that very point.

In his first season, he helped Los Blancos overcome Liverpool to win the Champions League. He continued to play a crucial role in the team before an unfortunate ACL injury prevented him from being part of the squad who would lift the club’s 15th European honour just two years later.

13 Jay-Jay Okocha

PSG to Bolton – 2002

In 2002, free transfers were still somewhat of a novelty. There wasn’t the same saga that went into a player running down their contract, nor was it as publicised when they would take a perceived step down in level to continue play. That was until the legendary Jay-Jay Okocha found himself at Bolton Wanderers.

The man that was so good they named him twice had dazzled in Paris in the years prior to his debut in the Premier League. Fans who hadn’t seen him before were in for the greatest of shocks, as the Nigerian pulled off showmanship and flair in a way that the Premier League had scarcely seen before.

12 Thiago Silva

PSG to Chelsea – 2020

Eighteen years on from Okocha moving to England after a spell at PSG, Thiago Silva found himself doing the same thing. Widely regarded as one of the top centre-backs on the planet in 2020, the Brazilian moved to Stamford Bridge after failing to get his hands on the Champions League trophy that had eluded him.

Despite the fact he was approaching 40, Silva continuously proved to be the club’s most reliable option at the back and finished his career in the continent not only as one of the best from his country to feature in the division, but also with the European Cup he had been craving following an unexpected win over Manchester City in 2021.

11 James Milner

Manchester City to Liverpool – 2015

James Milner was hardly a noteworthy edition at Liverpool when he completed his move in 2015. Despite his Premier League winning pedigree, the versatile midfielder was seen mainly as a solid hand who could plug the gap in several different areas.

To the Englisman’s credit, that’s exactly what he did and was so often Mr. Reliable for Jurgen Klopp. A workhorse and true professional, Milner never put a foot wrong at Anfield and is massively respected by the Liverpool faithful as he looks set to break the Premier League appearance record at his new club Brighton.

10 Michael Ballack

Bayern Munich to Chelsea – 2006

During Michael Ballack’s final season with Bayern Munich, there was interest from some of the biggest clubs in world football, including Manchester United, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. Ballack opted to join Chelsea on a free transfer in May 2006. It was a side that had just won the Premier League under Jose Mourinho, with the manager aiming to build a special team at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho said at the time of Ballack’s arrival:

During his time at Chelsea, Ballack won the FA Cup three times while also picking up a League Cup and the Premier League title. The Germany international fell short of European glory with the Blues, losing in the 2008 Champions League final to Manchester United on penalties. Over 167 appearances for Chelsea, Ballack scored 26 goals and assisted 22. The midfielder rejected a new contract at Stamford Bridge in favour of a move back to Germany and one of his former clubs, Bayer Leverkusen, on another free transfer.

9 Andrea Pirlo

AC Milan to Juventus – 2011

Andrea Pirlo is considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. His vision, creativity and range of passing were up there with the very best, so when the Italian maestro arrived in Turin on a free transfer from AC Milan, Juventus knew they were getting a bargain. During his time with the Old Lady, Pirlo won four Serie A titles, and fell agonisingly short of lifting the Champions League with the club, losing 3-1 to Barcelona in the final of the competition in 2014/15. The Azzurri legend played over 100 games for Juventus, scoring 19 times and assisting 38 goals.

Following Juventus’ Champions League final heartbreak, Pirlo left the club on a free transfer to join MLS side New York City FC. The midfielder played in the MLS for three seasons before hanging up his boots and venturing into management, where he would return to Juventus. He managed the Turin club from August 2020 to May 2021.

8 Esteban Cambiasso

Real Madrid to Inter Milan 2004

One of the most decorated players in football history, Esteban Cambiasso made the move from Real Madrid to Inter Milan on a free transfer in 2004. The Argentina international established himself as one of the best midfielders around during his time at the San Siro. Cambiasso spent 10 seasons at Inter Milan. During that time, he won 15 trophies, including five Serie A titles and the Champions League.

Cambiasso played over 400 games for Inter Milan, scoring 51 times and providing 32 assists. A shock move to Premier League newcomers Leicester City on a free transfer followed, where he stayed for a season and helped the Foxes retain their top-flight status, before hanging up his boots after two seasons in Greece with Olympiacos.

7 Steve McManaman

Liverpool to Real Madrid – 1999

Arguably the most underrated player of his generation, Steve McManaman signed a pre-contract agreement with Real Madrid with five months remaining on his Liverpool deal in 1999. The midfielder won six trophies during his time in the Spanish capital, including two La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies.

During his four seasons at Real Madrid, McManaman made over 100 appearances for the club, scoring 14 times and providing 20 assists. For many, he remains the greatest English export in a foreign country, although Jude Bellingham may soon have something to say about that.

6 Paul Pogba

Manchester United to Juventus – 2012

The ever-controversial Paul Pogba moved on a free transfer from Manchester United to Juventus in 2012. The French international quickly proved his Mancunian doubters wrong with several incredible performances for his new club. Pogba made over 150 appearances in Turin, scoring 34 times and providing 41 assists. The midfielder started to show some consistency and helped Juventus win eight trophies in his four seasons at the club, including four Serie A titles.

Pogba returned to Manchester United for £89m in 2016, seeing Juventus make a healthy profit on the midfielder. The French international won the Europa League during his second spell with Manchester United. Still, it turned sour again, and a second spell with Juventus followed before failing a drugs test and receiving a four-year ban from playing in 2024. It is a potentially sad end to a career for a clearly talented player.

5 Luis Enrique

Real Madrid to Barcelona – 1996

After playing over 150 games for Real Madrid, Luis Enrique made the controversial move to fierce rivals Barcelona on a free transfer in 1996. Enrique quickly became a mainstay in the Barcelona side, winning seven trophies during his time at Camp Nou, including two La Liga titles. Surprisingly for a player of such stature, Enrique failed to win the Champions League during his playing career.

The tireless midfielder ended his career at Barcelona in 2004, after playing 300 times for the Catalan giants. He later returned to Camp Nou as manager, winning nine trophies during that time, including two La Liga titles, and finally getting his hands on the UEFA Champions League.

4 Sol Campbell

Tottenham to Arsenal 2001

The moved that garnered Sol Campbell the reputation of being one of the biggest snakes in football also happened to be a free one. The hatred between Tottenham and Arsenal is one that is very rarely replicated in English football. So much so, that crossing the proverbial line to join the other side would be blasphemous.

That didn’t stop Campbell in 2001. The England international allowed his contract to run down at White Hart Lane before joining the enemy. It would ultimately pay off, as the defender would become part of the Invincibles team just three seasons later.

3 Robert Lewandowski

Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich – 2014

In terms of pure success and impact of a free transfer, there may be few greater than that of Robert Lewandowski. Having already guided Borussia Dortmund to unprecedented domestic success, the Polish superstar did what many of Dortmund’s biggest names would do in the mid 2010s. Move to their rivals.

While the likes of Mario Gotze and Mats Hummels would do the same before and after him, none of them created the legacy at the Allianz Arena than the Pole did. A Bundesliga title in every season and a Champions League to boot in 2020, there’s every reason to suggest that this is the greatest free transfer of all time. But, it’s not the biggest.

2 Kylian Mbappe

PSG to Real Madrid – 2024

Arguably one of the most talented players France has ever produced. Surprisingly, Kylian Mbappe failed a trial at Real Madrid in 2012, but 18 major trophies later, including a World Cup, the striker finally sealed his dream move to the Bernabeu in 2024. Mbappe decided against extending his PSG contract and refused to move elsewhere. He was always destined to sign for Real Madrid.

Mbappe has made over 300 appearances during his incredible career, averaging more than one direct goal contribution per game. Astonishing numbers for a 25-year-old, and he is yet to reach his peak years. The striker has that ‘Galactico’ aura about him, and Real Madrid will benefit both on and off the pitch, with Mbappe’s shirt sales needed to help fund the enormous signing-on fee which the Frenchman received.

1 Lionel Messi

Barcelona to PSG – 2021

Widely regarded as the greatest football player of all time, Lionel Messi moved from his beloved Barcelona to PSG in the summer of 2021. After 17 seasons and 34 trophies at Camp Nou, including 10 La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies, a new challenge in the French capital awaited him. During his time with PSG, Messi won two Ligue 1 titles and his impressive numbers continued. The Argentina international scored 32 times and provided 35 assists in just 75 appearances for the club.

In July 2023, after two seasons in Ligue 1, Messi became a free agent again, despite a rumoured return to Barcelona. He moved to the MLS to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami. Messi’s contract with the Florida franchise is judged to be one of the most complex in football history. The deal reportedly includes agreements with Apple and Adidas, and Messi earns an estimated $60m (£47.3m) a year.