Top 10 Most Memorable Bosman Transfers Of All Time

1) Esteban Cambiasso – Real Madrid to Inter 2004

Surely the most successful Bosman transfer of all time. Cambiasso was discarded by Real Madrid after being deemed not good enough, and it proved a disastrous decision as the egg-headed midfielder has been a colossus at the heart of the Inter midfield during his six years in Italy to date, helping the Nerazzurri win four straight Scudetti and their first Champions League for 45 years in 2010.

With Real Madrid still never finding a true replacement for Claude Makelele after he left for Chelsea in 2003, Cambiasso could have been the perfect fill-in at the Bernabeu as Inter will certainly attest.

2) Sol Campbell - Tottenham to Arsenal 2001

The most controversial transfer in Premier League history saw Campbell move across North London to join Arsene Wenger's Arsenal. Promises from the then England international that he would never make the switch and recriminations at the loss of ￡20 million in Spurs' coffers see emotions run high to this day.

Hate-filled chants followed Campbell even during his time at Portsmouth, with several Spurs fans being arrested for the content of their vile terrace anthems. But, Campbell’s five years at Arsenal were a huge success on the pitch as he won two Premier Leagues and three FA Cups. He returned last season to the Gunners for a short 14-game spell.

3) Henrik Larsson – Celtic to Barcelona 2004

The Swedish legend is treated like a God in the green-and-white half of Glasgow, but no one begrudged him a Bosman move to Barcelona in 2004 after seven stunning years in Scotland where he scored goals galore, including 52 in winning the 2001 European Golden Boot, and lifted four league crowns.

At Barca, he was not always a first team starter after an injury-hit first season but he was decisive in his second year and is widely acknowledged as the player who changed the game during the 2006 Champions League final victory over Arsenal. Trailing 1-0 into the second half, substitute Larsson set up both goals for Samuel Eto’o and Juliano Belletti.

4) Michael Ballack – Bayern Munich to Chelsea 2006

After exploding in 2001/02 with Bayer Leverkusen and Germany, Ballack was one of the world's best midfielders throughout the first half of the noughties. A Bosman move from Bayern Munich to Chelsea after the 2006 World Cup did not start promisingly with an indifferent first season and a half, but the German gradually found himself again and played his part in the 2009/10 Premier League success. Left Chelsea on another Bosman this summer to rejoin Bayer Leverkusen at the age of nearly 34.

5) Steve McManaman – Liverpool to Real Madrid 1999

After nine years at hometown club Liverpool, the long haired attacking midfielder took advantage of the Bosman ruling to try his luck in Spain. ‘Macca’ joined the Blancos just as the Galacticos era was beginning and won trophies galore in his four years in the capital, including two La Liga titles and as many Champions Leagues. He fell down the pecking order as each year passed, especially after the arrival of Zinedine Zidane in 2001, but all in all his time in Madrid was a success.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
--
FROM 211.99.222.*