10 best free agent signings in Premier League history

2) Didier Drogba – Chelsea

Didier Drogba

Although Didier Drogba’s current spell at Chelsea hasn’t been the most impressive on a personal level, it really was a great deal for the club when they signed him in 2014 – after all, how many clubs in the world can say they re-signed the man voted their club’s best player ever for free?

Drogba’s contract at Galatasaray had come to an end and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made the Blues’ fans happy when he swooped to bring the Ivorian striker back to Stamford Bridge. Drogba had scored 157 goals in 341 competitive appearances for the club in his first spell between 2004 and 2012.

Although he only scored seven goals in 38 appearances upon his return, he is a great man to have around when it comes to inspiring and influencing the club’s other strikers and younger players and it really was a dream return for everyone concerned – they won the title in his first season back, after all.

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1 ) Sol Campbell – Arsenal

Sol Campbell

The transfer of Sol Campbell to Arsenal was one of the most controversial in Premier League history – but it was also undoubtedly one of the most successful. The controversy stemmed not only from the fact that he left Spurs to join their bitter North London rivals, but also because he did so for nothing, after allowing his contract at White Hart Lane to run its course – and he will forever be frowned upon as a “Judas” by the Lilywhites’ fans as a result.

Campbell went on to win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners and, memorably, he was part of the Invincibles team that went an entire season unbeaten in 2003/04. The backline of that team – which also included Jens Lehmann, Ashley Cole, Lauren and Kolo Touré – formed the defensive basis of that team and Arsene Wenger singled out Campbell for praise, describing him as “monstrous”.