Football players have a relatively short career, hence most of them make the most of their career, and maximize all available opportunities. They try to make the best choices when it comes to transfers.
The free agency market consists of players who are without a club; this might be due to various factors like ageing, injuries, decline in form, indiscipline among many many other things.
Here, TOP SOCCER BLOG brings you the top 15 free football agents in 2022.
1. DIEGO COSTA
Diego Costa was one of the most fearsome strikers in his prime as he combines aggression, power, and hunger with his goalscoring abilities.
Costa’s flaw though is his bad temper. Apart from opponents, he has also clashed with referees, coaches, fans, and teammates.
The Brazilian-born Spaniard is currently without a club after being released by Brazilian side, Athletico Mineiro, in January 2022.
The 33-year-old striker played for the likes of Athletico Madrid, Chelsea, and Sporting Braga.
2. LAURENT KOSCIELNY
36-year-old Koscielny is currently without a club having departed Ligue 1 side, Bordeaux, in January 2022. The former Arsenal captain spent nine years with the Gunners. On 31 January 2022, Bordeaux announced that Koscielny was officially moved to a non-playing role to “contribute to the development of the club’s international partnerships.
3. RAMIRES
Former Chelsea midfielder, Ramires, has been without a club after getting released by Palmeiras in November 2020.
The 34-year-old is available as a free agent.
Ramires played for Chelsea, Benfica, JS Suning among others.
4. SALOMON KALOU
Kalou has been without a club since he was released by Brazilian club, Botafogo, in April 2021. The 36-year-old Ivorian striker played for the likes of Chelsea, Hertha Berlin, Lille and Feyenoord. One of the most underrated African footballers, Salomon Kalou had a fulfilling career but is currently without a club.
5. CARLOS TEVEZ
Tevez is 38-years-old and hasn’t announced his retirement yet. He last played for Boca Juniors and was released in the summer of 2021.
The Argentine turned out for the likes Manchester United, Manchester City, Juventus, Westham United, and Shanghai Shenhua.
6. JOHN OBI MIKEL
Former Nigeria International Mikel Obi got released by Kuwaiti side, Kuwait Sports Club, in July 2021 and has been without a club since.
The 34-year-old played for the likes of Chelsea, Stoke City, and Middlesbrough.
7. BRANISLAV IVANOVIC
Ivanovic was one of the best attacking right-backs during his heydays at Chelsea. The 38-year-old Serbian is currently without a club haven been released by West Bromwich Albion in July 2021.
He represented the likes of Chelsea, Zenith St. Petersburg, and Locomotive Moscow.
8. GIOVANI DOS SANTOS
Dos Santos broke through very early at Barcelona and big things were expected from him and another youngster who goes by the name Lionel Messi. While Messi met and exceeded those expectations, Dos Santos couldn’t live up to them.
The Mexican is now 32 and currently without a club after he was released by Mexican side, Club America, in the summer of 2021.
Dos Santos played for the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs, Villareal, Galatasaray, and LA Galaxy.
9. NIGEL DE JONG
Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong last played for Qatari club, Al Shahania SC, in July 2021 and has been in the free-agent pool since then. The 36-year-old turned out for the likes of Ajax, Humburg, Manchester City, AC Milan, and Galatasaray. His last club was Al-Shahania in Qatar. Despite his quality and experience, De Jong is among the football players without a club.
10. YAYA SANOGO
Sanogo was one of the strangest Arsenal signings ever, he was brought to the Emirates stadium as a young striker by Arsene Wenger from Auxerre in 2013. Due to his young age, the pressure of top level football was too much for him to handle then.
Still just 29, Sanogo has been without a club after separating ways with Huddersfield in February 2021. He also played for clubs like Crystal Palace, Ajax, and Charlton Athletics.
11. KWADWO ASAMOAH
33-year-old Asamoah has been a free agent since being released by Cagliari in the summer of 2021. The Ghanaian played for the likes of Juventus, Inter Milan, Udinese, and Torino.
12. WINSTON REID
Former West Ham United defender, Reid, has been without a club since 2021. The New Zealand International is available in the free agency market.
13. NEVEN SUBOTIC
Subotic last appeared for Austrian club, SCR Altach in January 2021 and has been without a club since. The Serbian played for the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Union Berlin, and Mainz.
14. AHMED EL MOHAMADY
El Mohamady was released by Aston Villa in the summer of 2021 after four years with the club. The 34-year-old Egyptian played for Hull City and Sunderland.
15. HAL ROBSON-KANU
Robson-Kanu was released by West Brom in 2021 and has been club-less since. The 32-year-old is more famous on the international stage due to his exploits for Wales.
