Villa's best Bosman..?

[Ivo Stas]

I think the club have gone on record that Villa will be looking to recruit out-of-contract players for free this summer (for instance, Brett Holman). The Bosman ruling (that allowed out-of-contract footballers to leave their clubs without the clubs receiving a transfer fee) occurred in 1995. I was wondering how well Villa have done in signing free players since 1995, so I did a bit of research and here are all our free signings (note: I've included 'nominal' fee signings).

2007/08
Moustapha Salifou

2006/07
Chris Sutton
Didier Agathe

2005/06
Patrick Berger
Stuart Taylor

2004/05
Mathieu Berson

2002/03
Ronny Johnsen
Oyvind Leonhardsen
Michael Boulding

2001/02
Hassan Kachloul
Peter Schmeichel
Thomas Hitzlsperger       
Steve Staunton

1999/2000
Neil Cutler 
Benito Carbone
Luc Nilis

1997/98
Fabio Ferraresi

I got my information from this source: http://www.transferleague.co.uk/premiership-transfers/aston-villa-transfers.html

There were, back in the day, a few good ones, so it makes me think that we haven't perhaps made the best use of the out-of-contract market. Until Holman, we haven't done any free business since 2008 (evidence of O'Neill's over-spending?). Who was the best and worst free signing? And does anyone remember Neil Cutler in goal..?

[paul_e]

Der Hammer stands out on that list.  Luc Nilis should be the one we're all singing the praises of, but for a shocking injury ending his career I think he could've been a great player for us for a couple of seasons.

[Concrete John]

Wasn't Carbone technically a loan?

[tomd2103]

Der Hammer stands out on that list.  Luc Nilis should be the one we're all singing the praises of, but for a shocking injury ending his career I think he could've been a great player for us for a couple of seasons.

The goal he scored against Chelsea was just a glimpse of what he could have done for us.  I think he would have definitely been a favourite at Villa Park and one we would still talk about now.

[Chipsticks]

Probably either Schmeichel or Hitzlsperger from that lot I done reckon.

[itbrvilla]

Der Hammer stands out on that list.  Luc Nilis should be the one we're all singing the praises of, but for a shocking injury ending his career I think he could've been a great player for us for a couple of seasons.

The goal he scored against Chelsea was just a glimpse of what he could have done for us.  I think he would have definitely been a favourite at Villa Park and one we would still talk about now.

Just looking at his goals on youtube you can see he had something very special about him.

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I think the club have gone on record that Villa will be looking to recruit out-of-contract players for free this summer (for instance, Brett Holman).

What Sir Alex 2 actually said was '3 or 4 Bosmans and a couple at £2-£3m.'
And they wonder why people aren't renewing.

[glasses]

I thought Ronny Johnsen was more than useful. Nilis, Johnsen, and Der Hammer were, or shoud have been great business.

[ClaretAndBlueBlood]

Carbone for me - loved the little fella!!! Doug should have pushed the boat out and signed him up.

anyone remember the game where him and Merse destroyed Leeds? Favourite moment was when Carbone came over towards the touchline Witton Lane side to receive a throw in with 2 Leeds defenders challenging him and he just let the ball go through his legs and he was into the penalty box, the 2 Leeds players carried on into the lower Witton Lane 

[Rip Van We Go Again]

I'd forgot about Berson.
Seemed okay on his rare appearances, but ended up completely shunned.

[Dave]

Berson wasn't a Bosman. We spent a whole summer chasing him and got him for something like £1.7m

[The Left Side]

Berson wasn't a Bosman. We spent a whole summer chasing him and got him for something like £1.7m

Correct, we were in a fight for him with Auxerre I think.

[PeterWithesShin]

Didn't Mr Fickle spend all summer chasing Berson and then when he finally signed him he basically said he wasn't very good?

[villasjf]

Wasn't Carbone technically a loan?

Yes from Sheffield Wednesday he wanted too much money so we sent him back even though he got us to the final. Great little player though.

[Steve R]

Wasn't Carbone technically a loan?

Yes from Sheffield Wednesday he wanted too much money so we sent him back even though he got us to the final. Great little player though.

I thought we took over his contract - a few months remaining - for a nomial fee.