The 2023 transfer window has come and gone with number of top players, whose contracts have expired with their former clubs, yet to take on a new challenge.
Here, we will take you through a list of footballers, who are yet to sign for new clubs after running out of contract with their former clubs.
David De Gea
Former Manchester United goalkeeper, David De Gea, is leading the list of free agents who are yet to sign a new contract with a new employer.
David De Gea ran out of his Manchester United contract on 30 June 2023, refusing to renew his deal after Manchester United reduce his paycheck in a new contract proposal.
De Gea left Manchester United after 12 years. He was linked to Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Saudi Arabia in 2023 transfer window but none has materialized with sources close to the player revealing he is still open to a new challenge.
Eden Hazard
Former Chelsea and Real Madrid attacking midfielder, Eden Hazard, is without a club. Hazard, who joined Real Madrid on a money-spinning deal in 2019 on a five-year contract saw his career took a wild tumble at Santiago Bernabeu.
He had a year remaining on his Real Madrid contract but reached an agreement with the club to terminate the deal this summer.
He was linked to a move to MLS with other reports he is considering retirement.
Jesse Lingard
Former Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard must have probably come to the end of the road on his career. After his Manchester United contract expired, Jesse Lingard joined Nottingham Forest in 2022 on a one-year contract.
He has been released by the club and was linked to a move to West Ham United and DC United which did not happen.
Andre Gray
Andre Gray is a former Premier League player, who played for Watford before joining Greek club, Aris Thessaloniki.
Gray reached agreement with Aris Thessaloniki to terminate his contract and is yet to find a new club. He has been linked to a return to English football with some clubs in Championships interested in signing him.
Jerome Boateng
Former Manchester City, Hertha Berlin, and Bayern Munich center-back, Jerome Boateng, is clubless. The German footballer plied his trade with Lyon in French Ligue 1 since 2021 after joining on a two-year contract.
His contract with the Ligue 1 side expired this summer with the club confirming he will leave the club. Boateng has parted ways with Lyon but is yet to find a new club and has been linked with a return to Germany.
Alex Tuanzebe
Manchester United academy graduate and former player, Alex Tuanzebe is a free agent. Since his Manchester United break-in in 2015, the English defender made only 19 appearances for Manchester United and have spent the entirety of his Manchester United career on loan.
He spent the last season of his contract on loan to Stoke City last season and is now out of contract at Manchester United. He has been linked to a move to League One.
Phil Jones
Phil Jones’ Man United career was already on the decline before Erik Ten Hag arrived as a new manager. He was obviously set to leave the club after struggling with injuries and battling for form with niggling injury blows on the sidelines. Manchester United released Phil Jones this summer after his contract expired. There have been reports Jones may consider retirement as he is yet to settle with a new club.
Danny Rose
Danny Rose, 33, is another former Premier League star that may likely call time on his football career soon. The former Tottenham defender played for Watford as his last club in 2021/22 season before terminating his contract. Rose was off the spotlight in 2023 transfer window.
It is more likely he will not return to football again but he is yet to announce his retirement.
