Free Agents Up For Grabs

While Real Madrid’s Bernabeu was packed to the rafters to see Cristiano Ronaldo’s historic unveiling, spare a thought for those experienced professionals who were kicked out the back door from their respective clubs with little more than a free training top. Although the transfer window is closed to contracted players, a number of free agents still harbor a return to the beautiful game. Here’s a few of the more recognizable figures who feel they can still do the job:

Moritz Volz – Volzy played his last game for Ipswich Town in May, during their failed attempt at promotion to the Premiership. At only 26, the one-cap German international will be remembered for scoring the 1000th Premiership goal. Although rumored to be joining Hibernian, we’re sure he could still be persuaded to go elsewhere.

Moritz Volz - Biking around town to maintain fitness.

Lauren – A member of Arsenal’s ‘Invincible’ side from 2004, Lauren played over 150 games at Highbury proving a reliable and resilient member of the Gunners back-line. Released from Portsmouth at the beginning of the summer, Lauren will be more eager than the rest to sign on the dotted line regardless of the employer – he’s scheduled to attend Cameroon national team training in November.

Olivier Dacourt – The former Leeds United and Roma ace has seen injury blight most of his career. Marginalised by Mourinho upon his arrival at Inter in 2008, Dacourt’s loan spell to Fulham did little to impress buyers and the former French international, with over 20 caps to his name, now finds himself training in his backyard.

Olivier Dacourt - Just hanging out really.

Mark Viduka – Possibly the most skilful freebie out there, the chubby Aussie scored 7 goals in 38 appearances during his two-year stint at St. James’ Park – not a bad return considering his famed medical history. If you’ve got a great physio department then the big boy with a soft touch is certainly worth a gamble… and no Roman, we’ve been told you’re banned from signing free agents too.

Henri Camara – Burst on to the scene with his golden goal winner in the 2002 World Cup that saw Senegal advance to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history. Camara quickly caught the eye of Premiership scouts and joined newly-promoted Wolves in 2003.  For a while Camara’s pace and power proved a handful for Premiership defenders, but that didn’t last long. Released from Wigan following a loan spell at Stoke City, Camara is rumored to be joining Portsmouth’s push for the Championship.

Henri Camara - I'm over here, come and get me.

Andy van der Meyde – The former Ajax youth product and Dutch international enjoyed a successful period at Inter before completely ruining his career at Everton. In and out of the team (mostly out), van der Meyde hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons during his time at Goodison. During a terrible week in August 2007, van der Meyde was admitted to hospital for alcohol abuse and had his house ransacked while warming the bench during a friendly against Athletic de Bilbao.