Top 10 free transfers in football history!

The best free agents that Europe has seen including incredible signings from Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Barcelona and Bayern Munich A THREAD!!!

Steve McManaman to Real Madrid (1999)

McManaman left Liverpool for Real Madrid as a free agent, becoming one of the first high-profile English players to succeed abroad. He won two Champions League titles and scored in the 2000 final.

Roberto Baggio to Bologna (1997)

After leaving Juventus, Baggio joined Bologna on a free transfer at 30. He scored 22 goals in 30 games in his first season, reviving his career and earning a spot in Italy’s 1998 World Cup squad.

Sol Campbell to Arsenal (2001)

Campbell’s controversial move from Tottenham to rivals Arsenal on a free transfer paid off massively. He was a defensive rock, helping Arsenal win two Premier League titles, including the 2003-04 "Invincibles" season.

Paul Pogba to Juventus (2012)

Pogba left Manchester United as a 19-year-old free agent, joining Juventus where he blossomed into a world-class midfielder. His success prompted a then-record €105 million return to United four years later.

Andrea Pirlo to Juventus (2011)

Discarded by AC Milan at 32, Pirlo signed with Juventus for free and revitalized his career. He anchored their midfield, leading them to four straight Serie A titles and cementing his legacy as a maestro.

Zlatan Ibrahimović to Paris Saint-Germain (2012)

Though technically a transfer from AC Milan, Zlatan’s move came as his contract was expiring, and he joined PSG without a fee in a pre-arranged deal. His 156 goals in 180 games transformed PSG into a domestic powerhouse.

David Alaba to Real Madrid (2021)

After 13 years at Bayern Munich, Alaba joined Real Madrid for free. Valued at €55 million, his versatility and elite defending helped Madrid win La Liga and the Champions League in his first season.

Robert Lewandowski to Bayern Munich (2014)

Lewandowski moved from Borussia Dortmund to rivals Bayern on a free transfer. He became one of the most prolific strikers in history, scoring over 300 goals for Bayern and winning multiple Bundesliga titles and a Champions League.

Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid (2024)

Mbappé left PSG as a free agent in 2024, joining Real Madrid at age 25. Valued at over €160 million by Transfer-market at the time, his signing was a monumental coup, pairing one of the world’s best young talents with a club known for collecting superstars.

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Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain (2021)

After spending his entire career at Barcelona, Messi joined PSG on a free transfer when his contract expired. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever, his arrival brought global attention to Ligue 1, even if his two-year stint yielded mixed results (32 goals in 75 appearances).