There’s no doubt about it, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made an impression in England. For all of those who said the Swede was scared, too proud, too old, or simply not good enough to make it in the Premier League, have been put in their places.
Jamie Carragher, the former England and Liverpool man has said of Ibrahimovic:
“He's the king there at the moment and he has been an inspired signing. He has been one of the best free transfers ever."
Now 35, he has shown that age is just a number, with his brace in EFL Cup Final over Southampton his best moment so far.
With not even one season under his belt at Old Trafford, it may be a touch early to label him as one of the best free transfers of all time, despite 26 goals in 38 appearances. Here are six freebies who still pip the United man.
Andrea Pirlo – AC Milan to Juventus, 2011
After a decade at the club, not giving a 32-year-old Andrea Pirlo a new contract at Milan was a tough move in 2011, but the four years the he had at Juventus must hurt the Milan owners more. Central midfielder Pirlo let his range of passing do the talking, allowing him to shine and not wane over four seasons at Juve, winning the Serie A title every year. 34 assists later (13 of which came in the first season), Pirlo moved to MLS side New York City in 2015.
Sol Campbell – Tottenham Hotspur to Arsenal, 2001
One of the biggest Premier League moves of all-time, England defender moved from Tottenham Hotspur to arch-rivals Arsenal back in 2001 after assuring Spurs that he would commit his future to the club. It was the right call for Campbell, as he won two Premier League titles, including ‘The Invincibles’ season, and three FA Cups with The Gunners.
The move still hurts Spurs fans, with Campbell going on to play for Portsmouth, Notts County, Newcastle, and a return to Arsenal in the remainder of his career.
Steve McManaman – Liverpool to Real Madrid, 1999
With a debt crisis at the club, Real Madrid managed to sign Steve McManaman on a free from Liverpool in 1999, with the England international an instant hit.
The midfielder became a regular starter for the club, and was Man of the Match in the 3-0 Champions League Final win over Valencia, scoring a superb volley. McManaman would go on to win another Champions League trophy and two league titles before heading back to the Premier League with Manchester City.
Esteban Cambiasso – Real Madrid to Inter Milan, 2004
An underrated player, Real Madrid’s Esteban Cambiasso headed for Inter Milan back in 2004. He formed a stellar partnership with Argentina international teammate Juan Sebastian Veron in central midfield instantly, as Inter lifted the Coppa Italia at the end of the season. Over the next decade, Cambiasso would win five Serie A titles, a Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup, going down as an Inter legend.
In 2014 he moved to Leicester City in the Premier League, and after keeping them up, left for Greek side Olympiakos.
Paul Pogba – Manchester United to Juventus, 2012
As we all know Paul Pogba has returned to Manchester United, but his initial move to Juventus was a magnificent scalp. The central midfielder was only given a handful of chances under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, but grew rapidly out in Italy, lifting the Serie A trophy in all four seasons he was there. Still not the finished article, he re-signed for United in a record £89 million deal, making Juve’s initial free signing more impressive.
Robert Lewandowski – Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich, 2014
If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
Robert Lewandowski did exactly that in 2014 when he switched Dortmund for Der Klassiker rivals Bayern Munich in 2014. The forward sensed that Dortmund had reached their peak under then manager Jurgen Klopp, jumping ship to European powerhouse Bayern, and has gone on to win Bundesliga titles. His 97 goals in 133 games for the Bavarians has been very impressive, but he is still chasing that illusive Champions League crown.
