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8) James Milner – Liverpool
This is the second (and final) entry on this list that is being taken on face value, as James Milner has only just signed for Liverpool and hasn’t yet played for the club (in fact, he doesn’t officially join until next month), but it really does look to be a great deal. The former Manchester City man’s contract had come to an end at the Etihad Stadium and the Reds swooped in to sign the England international for nothing.
Milner’s experience could prove to be invaluable at Anfield, especially in light of Steven Gerrard’s departure to MLS. The England international has won the Premier League twice, has 54 England caps to his name and is extremely versatile. To get that kind of player for no fee is a real coup for Brendan Rodgers’ men.
7) Youri Djorkaeff – Bolton Wanderers
In 2002, Youri Djorkaeff may have been 34 years old, but he had only won the World Cup and European Championships four and two years earlier respectively with the French national team (for whom he had scored 28 goals in 82 appearances). And he was hardly what you would call “past it”.
With that in mind, when his contract with Germany’s FC Kaiserslautern came to an end, it was quite the surprise when English side Bolton Wanderers managed to sign him for nothing. In his three seasons at the Reebok Stadium, he played 81 competitive games and scored 21 goals, bringing some real class to a side that also included the likes of Jay-Jay Okocha and Iván Campo.
He helped Bolton establish themselves as a Premier League side – including helping them to an impressive 8th place finish in his final season with the Trotters.
6) Gareth Barry – Everton
Gareth Barry has been one of the most consistent players of the Premier League era. In spells with Aston Villa and Manchester City, he made no less than 497 appearances and won the title with the Citizens in the 2011/12 season. Having been deemed surplus to requirements at the Etihad Stadium, Barry initially joined Everton on loan for the 2013/14 season.
During that campaign he completed the most passes for any Everton player and helped the club amass a club record of 72 Premier League points to finish fifth in the table. It was, therefore, brilliant for Everton to sign him permanently for free in time for the start of the following season.
Barry’s contract at Manchester City had expired and he was released and, although Everton didn’t do anywhere near as well in the 2014/15 season, Barry was still an important and consistent player for them.
