Top 10 Most Memorable Bosman Transfers Of All Time
In view of Joe Cole's recent free transfer from Chelsea to Liverpool, Goal.com looks at 10 of the most memorable Bosmans since the landmark ruling in 1995...
Jul 20, 2010 1:30:00 PM
Please note that the 10 moves below are rated in terms of how memorable the transfer was, and not necessarily how successful...
10) Joe Cole - Chelsea to Liverpool 2010
At No.10 we start with the most recent. For the first time in his career Joe Cole has moved away from London after five years at schoolboy club West Ham and seven at Chelsea where he won three Premier League titles. The former child prodigy has struggled badly with injuries in recent seasons, but at 28 still has a lot to offer providing he can stay fit.
9) Javier Saviola – Barcelona to Real Madrid 2007
Another child superstar, Javier Saviola never lived up to the early promise he showed as a teenager at River Plate where he was inevitably labelled as the “new Diego Maradona”. The pint-sized forward lost his way at Barcelona after a bright start in 2001, and hoped for a resurrection with a Bosman to bitter rivals Real Madrid in 2007. Was a benchwarmer for two seasons before Benfica ended his misery last year.
8) Edgar Davids – Ajax to Milan 1996
One of the greatest defensive midfielders of all time, Davids completed a high profile Bosman transfer to Milan from Ajax in time for the 1996-97 season. But, his spell at San Siro was a complete disaster and just over a year later he was sold on to Juventus for just £5.3 million. In Turin, Davids returned to being the best midfield pitbull on the planet.
7) David Beckham – Real Madrid to LA Galaxy 2007
After 10 trophy-laden seasons at Manchester United, and another four campaigns at Real Madrid where he won the 2007 La Liga title, football's biggest media seller of the noughties made a Bosman move from the Spanish capital to Los Angeles Galaxy.
While the transfer fee may have been nothing, the deal was a mega-million-money bonanza with estimates that 'Golden Balls' potentially could earn US$250 million during his five year contract. On the pitch, Beckham has not been too successful with the Galaxy, winning just the Western Conference in 2009, and he has even missed sections of two MLS seasons with loan moves to Milan.
6) Mathieu Flamini – Arsenal to Milan 2008
Flamini enjoyed a breakout season at Arsenal in 2007-08, forging a superb midfield partnership with Cesc Fabregas of which the highlight was outplaying and eliminating Milan in the Champions League last 16.
But, Arsenal failed to agree a new contract with the Frenchman who then joined Milan on a Bosman in the summer. The transfer was hailed by most as the signing of the season, but it hasn’t turned out too successful so far. Flamini has struggled to hold down a regular starting position, although there is more hope for him under new coach Massimiliano Allegri.
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