SOCCER
Soccer free agents at the end of the 2024-25 transfer market
The main European leagues have closed out the transfer window and many famous names are still without a club.
The top leagues across Europe have all now slammed shut their transfer windows, and it’s always striking to see the list of players—many of them huge names—who have not found a place at any club.
Often, these are veteran players or those who have fallen from grace and, after finishing their contracts, have not received offers or lacked the motivation to accept the ones they did receive. Here are some notable names, divided by position:
Goalkeepers
Perhaps the most attention-grabbing name is Keylor Navas. The Costa Rican, who was the goalkeeper for Zidane’s Real Madrid during their three Champions League titles, is now 37 and has not found a team since leaving PSG. Saprissa, the club in his home country where he was trained, has even offered to take him in.
Another veteran without a club is the 39-year-old Mexican, Guillermo Ochoa, who recently finished his contract with Salernitana. Loris Karius, known for his time at Liverpool when they faced Madrid in the Champions League final, is also a free agent at 31, following a career that included stints with Manchester City, Liverpool, Besiktas, and Newcastle, his most recent team.
Defenders
The defensive position also features several players who were once key figures in world football but now find themselves without a project that suits them. Many are nearing the end of their careers, such as Sergio Ramos (38 years old) or the German Mats Hummels (35), who has been linked with several Spanish teams.
Another notable centre-back is Joel Matip, who spent half of his career at Liverpool. The Greek defender Manolas, who commanded a €36 million transfer from Roma to Napoli, is also looking for a team. Full-backs like Capa and Fosu-Mensah are in similar situations.
Midfielders
There are various cases in midfield, all featuring a lot of quality players who have not been able to find a team. Adrien Rabiot is perhaps the most prominent name, as the 29-year-old French international has yet to find an offer that convinces him to leave his current contract.
André Gomes, 31, is in the same position after completing his contract with Everton. Other examples include Iker Muniain, who has not finalised a potential move to Argentina, and Dele Alli, who has had a career marked by ups and downs. The list also includes players like Rafinha, Pjanic, Kurzawa, Roque Mesa, and Strootman.
Forwards
Among the forwards without a club, Frenchman Anthony Martial stands out as a player who has gone from being highly sought after to currently being without a contract. His compatriot Ben Yedder is also yet to find a team.
Several well-known players from Spain’s LaLiga, such as Maxi Gómez, Mariano, Gonçalo Paciência, and even Vietto, Carlos Vela, and Gameiro, are also waiting to find clubs.
Strikers who were once stars of European giants, such as Balotelli and Choupo-Moting, find themselves in the same situation.