Joel Ward
The first of the EFL free agents is Joel Ward. After 13 years at Crystal Palace, Joel Ward departed South London at the end of last season. Ward had something of a perfect ending to his Palace career, lifting the clubs’ first major trophy in its history, after the Eagles defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May. Despite being 35 and recently providing punditry for the Community Shield, Ward says he has no plans to retire. Many clubs in the Championship could benefit from the veteran’s experience and leadership qualities.
Josh Brownhill
It’s very surprising that the football season has restarted and Josh Brownhill is still one of the EFL free agents. He provided 24 goal contributions from midfield in the Championship last season, with only Joel Piroe bettering his 18 goals. Brownhill left Burnley after last season concluded, and he has since been linked with multiple clubs, including sides in the Premier League. One of these clubs is West Ham United who have been crying out for a midfielder for a while now. Wolves and Everton have also been linked, but whether or not he would start for those two is up for debate.
Nathan Redmond
One of the EFL free agents is Nathan Redmond. Speaking of players who left Burnley at the end of last season, Nathan Redmond is also looking for a new club. The Englishman hasn’t played much football in the last two years, only making three Championship appearances last season and 15 the season prior, when Burnley were in the Premier League. Redmond enjoyed his best seasons at Southampton, where he played from 2016-2022.
For the 2022/23 season, Redmond made the move to Besiktas where he played 28 times. Despite his Premier League experience, the Championship is most likely Redmond’s next destination. This pick of the EFL free agents would be a great signing for the second tier, with his former club Birmingham City linked. However, this was before they signed fellow winger Demarai Gray, so Redmond may have to look elsewhere.
Jonjo Shelvey
Another player released by Burnley to add to the list of EFL free agents, Jonjo Shelvey has seemingly been looking for some stability for a while now. Shelvey joined Nottingham Forest from Newcastle in January 2023, only making eight appearances at the City Ground. He then moved to Turkey, joining Caykur Rizespor where he would make 33 appearances. His Turkish adventure continued when he joined Eyupspor the next season. However, his time in Turkey would be cut short when he was released by the club in January, before moving to Burnley.
Shelvey was linked with a move to Hull City earlier in the window, with Shelvey being available on a free transfer and the Tigers only being able to sign players on free transfers. This pick of the current EFL free agents would still be a shrewd edition for several clubs in the second tier.
Yakou Meite
Someone who could find themselves in the Championship or League One this season is Yakou Meite but currently finds themselves as one of the EFL free agents. The Ivorian left Cardiff City following the clubs’ relegation to the third tier.
In his first three seasons with Reading, Meite would score 42 goals. But in his final two seasons, he would only find the net four times, although he started far fewer games. During his first season with Cardiff, he would only score twice in 26 starts. Individually, things did improve for him last season with 3 goals in 11 starts, but Cardiff finished bottom of the Championship.
These statistics suggest that a move to a League One side would be better for the 29-year-old, with his former side Reading being linked at one stage. If he can rediscover his form from a few years, he could be a real asset, especially given his versatility.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (kind of)
Having spent the last two seasons playing in Turkey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may be returning to English football soon. A fantastic player on his day, Oxlade-Chamberlain has seen his career ravaged by injuries. During his two seasons playing in Turkey, he has missed 24 games.
Besiktas are willing to let the Englishman leave on a free transfer, which would technically add him to the list of EFL free agents, however his wages could well be a stumbling block for any potential suitors. Leicester City had reportedly been interested in the past, but with Cifuentes now in charge, that interest seems to have disappeared. Former club Southampton could be a viable destination, as could Birmingham City, who have recently been linked with the 32-year-old.
However, it has since been reported that they are prioritising other targets so we will have to wait and see where Oxlade-Chamberlain will be playing this season.
Tom Lawrence
Another one of our EFL free agents who could be making their return to English football is Tom Lawrence. The Welshman hasn’t played the most football since joining Rangers in 2022, but prior to that he was a key player at Derby for several years. At only 31, Lawrence definitely still has the quality to play at Championship level, and given his versatility, he could be a good pickup. Previously, Lawrence has been linked with Wrexham, his hometown club, and was recently spotted training in Dubai, so who knows where he will end up.
Stuart Armstrong
The last of our EFL free agents is Stuart Armstrong, who only left Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season, but he may already be heading back to Hillsborough.
In September 2024, Armstrong headed to the MLS, signing for the Vancouver Whitecaps, but he would only stay until January before moving back to England with Sheffield Wednesday. I think that Armstrong could be a solid option for Wednesday given their situation. After all, it was only two seasons ago that he was starting for a play-off winning Southampton.
