Unemployed Footballers: Will Play for Food

By: Daryl | September 7th, 2007

Milosovic unemployed There are plenty of poor starving professional footballers out there, without a club willing to put their skills to use. And it doesn’t matter that the transfer window is closed, because the back door is still open for these jobless fellas as unattached (read: unemployed) players can sign for anyone at anytime, provided someone wants them.

It’s a little bit like rooting around in the bargain bin at your local supermarket, where everything’s a bit out of date but probably still edible and very very cheap. Believe it or not, there’s a list of more or less every unattached professional footballer in the world on the internet. A few choice picks below…

Didier Agathe, age 32
French right winger or right full back who had a good spell at Celtic under Martin O’Neill. His former boss brought him to Villa Park last season, but that didn’t go so well. Could do a job for any Championship club, and would also be a good signing for any MLS club in need of a solid right back.

Fabien Barthez, 36
The accident prone but brilliant French keeper has been in and out of retirement more times that Frank Sinatra. He’s out again now, but without a club. Struggled for Nantes in Ligue 1 last season so could be looking for something a little easier. If he doesn’t find himself a club soon he may accidentally find himself retired for good.

Quinton Fortune, 30
Former Atletico Madrid and Man Utd left mid and left back. He spent last season at Bolton Wanderers and is now out of work.

Matt Jansen, 29
Jansen was on the fringes of the England squad in 2002 when he was in a motorcycle accident that nearly killed him. He survived but it’s been a long hard road back to fitness, with spells at Blackburn, Coventry and Bolton. He’s apparently training with his original team Carlisle United in an effort regain form and fitness. If anyone deserves a bit of luck at this point, it’s Jansen.

Seth Johnson, 28
Former England international left midfielder, albeit briefly. I always felt Johnson was unlucky to be so associated with Leeds United’s financial collapse. Apparently he and his agent went to see Peter Ridsdale, hoping for £13,000 a week. Ridsdale opened with “I’m sorry but I can only offer you thirty thousand a week”. Johnson’s agent looked shocked at the amount, and so Ridsdale said “Alright, thirty-eight thousand then.” This story probably isn’t true, but it hasn’t helped Johnson’s career any. More pertinently Johnson injured his knee playing for Derby County at the end of last season and hasn’t been offered a new contract yet, though that may change once he regains fitness. But technically another club could sneak in, make an offer and sign him this very day.

Andy Legg, 41
He may be old, but this former Birmingham City Welsh defender is famous for having the longest throw in in football. Surely that must be useful to someone?

Savo Milošević, 34 (pictured)
Serbia’s all time leading international goalscorer was laughed out of Aston Villa, despite a respectable scoring record of 29 in 90 appearances (that’s very nearly one in three folks.) He went on to be more successful (and better loved) in Spain with Zaragoza and Osasuna, but now finds himself without a club. Another one who’d do well in MLS without demanding a DP salary.

John O’Brien, 30
Talented and versatile American midfielder who spent several seasons with Ajax, but so often injured that he makes Jonathon Woodgate look a picture of health. Most recently with Chivas USA in MLS but only played one game. There’s speculation that he’s finished, but if JOB could get healthy he’d be a fantastic signing for someone.

Alessandro Pistone, 32
The Italian left back has played for Inter, Newcastle and Everton but is currently without a paycheck. Word is that Pistone’s been on trial at Middlesbrough and Gareth Southgate is taking his time deciding whether to sign him.

Roque Junior, 31
Former Brazil and AC Milan defender, but another one whose reputation was ruined by his time at Leeds United. Although in RJ’s case his reputation suffered because he was absolute pants on the field. Has been without a club since his Bayer Leverkusen contract expired in the summer.

David Thompson, 29
Great little English right midfielder who’s played for Liverpool, Coventry, Blackburn, Wigan, Portsmouth and Bolton. Used to be a great player to have in your fantasy team. But not now, as he’s unemployed.

Hatem Trabelsi, 30
Awesomely pacy and powerful Tunisian right back who spent many productive years at Ajax. But a move to Man City went a bit wrong and he was released in the summer. Amazing that this guy can’t find a club though, he’s got the lot.