Free agents are appearing, and many clubs are releasing their retained lists. Out of the retained lists so far, which League One free agents clubs look at?
Kusini Yengi
26 / Striker / Released by Portsmouth
The first of the highlighted League One free agents, a striker proven at this level with a decent record. Yengi scored 9 in 26, helping to fire Portsmouth to promotion. He has struggled to hit the same goals and games as he did in League One, mainly because he’s only started 4 games, being kept out of the team by Pompey’s star man, Colby Bishop. Yengi is 6’2 and pretty quick meaning he would suit many League One teams.
Suited teams:
Wigan Athletic / Barnsley / Reading
Jorge Grant
30 / Attacking midfielder / Released by Hearts
Although Hearts decided not to extend the former Lincoln City and Peterborough attacking midfielder Jorge Grant, he had been a regular starter for the Edinburgh team over the past couple of years, with 3 goals and 1 assist to his name this season. Grant is very technical with excellent creative flair, using this to play defence, split passes, and get himself out of tight situations. Grant registered 13 goals and 9 assists in his final season for Lincoln, leading to him being included in the PFA team of the season.
Suited teams:
Lincoln City / Wycombe Wanderers / Plymouth Argyle
Josh Koroma
26 / Left winger / Released by Huddersfield
Koroma is a player I have always admired and I thought he was destined for bigger things but it has not panned out that way for Koroma and Huddersfield. Being released could be the best thing for Josh Koroma, a fresh start with a new manager and system could mean we see the best of him in League One. He hasn’t even struggled this season as well with 11 goals and 2 assists a very decent record for a winger in a team that finished 10th in the table. Koroma is fast and technical with an eye for a goal, definitely one for the better teams in the league although he could slot in at any level of the third division with the right vision.
Suitable teams:
Luton Town / Bolton Wanderers / Peterborough United
Ricardo Santos
29 / Centre back / Released by Bolton
One of the best central defenders in League One before Bolton’s poor season the Portuguese defender is bound to attract interest from multiple League One teams. Known for his height and aerial ability Santos stands at 6’5 which means he would be ideal for any League One club looking for some aerial ability in defence or on set pieces. The former Barnet and Peterborough centre-back was in 3 consecutive PFA League One teams of the seasons in 21/22, 22/23 & 23/24 showing how highly rated he is by his fellow players and how difficult it is to play against him.
Suitable teams:
Bradford City / Mansfield Town / Wycombe Wanderers
Cohen Bramall
29 / Left-back / Released by Portsmouth
The former Lincoln and Rotherham left-back was another released by Portsmouth alongside Yengi after only playing 12 games in the championship. He thrived for Rotherham United in the championship, getting 1 goal and 3 assists at a left back for a team that only managed 27 points, 18 points off 23rd placed Huddersfield. He is very much a modern fullback with excellent crossing, he has received interest from reading recently which shows he is already of interest to League One clubs.
Suitable teams:
Leyton Orient / Reading / Lincoln
Mallik Wilks
26 / Striker / Released by Sheffield Wednesday
The pacey forward has had a rejuvenating season for Rotherham in 24/25, achieving 9 goals and 5 assists in 41 games. Even though he has excelled in League One, Championship side Sheffield Wednesday decided against renewing the former Barnsley Striker’s contract. Wilks has spent most of his playing career in Yorkshire including Leeds, Grimsby, Doncaster, Barnsley, Hull, Sheffield Wednesday and finally Rotherham. This could suggest Wilks wants to stay close to home with Bradford City recently promoted could the Bantams be tempted by Wilks as they return to League One?
Suitable teams:
Rotherham United / Bradford City / Doncaster Rovers
Joesph Olowu
25 / Centre Back / Rejected Contract from Doncaster
The last of our League One free agents is Joseph Olowu. Many were surprised when Olowu decided to leave Doncaster after their promotion to League One, it seems Olowu feels he could play at a higher level in League One or the championship. Olowu has had a very strong season for Donny, playing 31 games before a thigh injury ended his season in March. Before his injury, Olowu was linked with multiple League One and Championship clubs, including Hull City, reading and Derby County this shows he would be a real coup for any League One club if he does decide to stay in League One for more playing time rather than being squad depth in the championship.
Suitable Teams:
Peterborough United / Barnsley / Cardiff City
Thank you for reading! Would you take any of these free agents at your club? Let us know!
