da roleta： The transfer window may have closed but there’s still opportunities for clubs to recruit before it reopens in January.
da dobrowin： Namely, the free agent market, which although lacking the glitz and glamour of the lucrative multi-million deals we’ve become acclimatised to throughout the Premier League and yonder, still has a knack of churning out a few transfer gems.
In fact, with no fee involved, free transfers often represent fantastic value for money provided you’re not investing mega wages in a 36 year old – a mistake I’m sure we’ve all made on Football Manager before.
This article, takes a look at Celtic and the FIVE players, currently without a club, they should be targeting to boost their squad until the January window.
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DARREN O’DEA
There’s already a plethora of speculation suggesting a contract offer for former Celtic defender Darren O’Dea.
The Republic of Ireland international joined Ukrainian side Metalurg Donetsk on a three-year deal last summer, but decided to terminate his contract in August as political and military unrest took over the country.
He’s been spotted at the Lennoxtown, training with his former club for whom he made 49 league appearances between 2006 and 2010. The 27 year-old then enjoyed productive loan spells with Ipswich and Leeds United. The 6 foot 1 centre-back may not be the most talented defender to ever grace Parkhead, but he knows the club and the challenges of the Scottish Premiership well. He also once netted this impressive strike during a one-season spell in the MLS with FC Toronto: //www.youtube.com/embed/ZUUrHsibfho?rel=0 O’Dea would be a decent addition to Ronny Deila’s squad but currently recovering from injury, he’s still a long way off signing a deal with the Bhoys:
Oguchi Onyewu
Another, more coveted centre-back option for the Bhoys to consider is USA international Oguchi Onyewu, famed for once coming to fisticuffs with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and breaking the enigmatic Swede’s rib during their time together at the San Siro.
The 32 year-old may be no spring chicken but he comes with great experience and proven pedigree, having represented the likes of Standard Liege, AC Milan, Sporting Lisbon and Malaga throughout his career.
That regular exposure to European football – racking up 24 continental outings to date – would be a huge boost to Celtic’s planned Europa League exploits this season. He also boasts an impressive 69 caps for the United States.
Onyewu had spells with QPR and Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship last season after his contract with Sporting was terminated by mutual consent. For the latter club he made 18 appearances, and Whoscored.com ranked him as one of the best defenders in the division:
Here’s a closer look at his defensive stats:
The beastly defender, who measures in at 6 foot 4, would be a fantastic capture for the Bhoys, although he has been linked with a move to Arsenal amid the Premier League side’s injury crisis:
Check out Onyewu in action: //www.youtube.com/embed/K3D5cJPiijI?rel=0
CHRIS EAGLES
Attacking midfielder Chris Eagles is currently searching for a new club after leaving Bolton Wanderers under a bit of a dark cloud at the end of last season. The 28 year-old never quite hit the heights expected of him as he rose through Manchester United’s academy, once netting this stunning curler for the Red Devils against Everton: //www.youtube.com/embed/XyhBI7rnP-E?rel=0 Eagles can score and create as he did to great proficiency in the 2011/12 campaign, finding twelve goals and twelve assists to lead Bolton’s charts in both departments. The midfielder has been training at a boxing gym to stay fit:
And after alleged moves to Sheffield United and Cardiff City failed to materialise, he could easily be tempted into a Glasgow switch.
NIKOLA ZIGIC
Measuring in at an outrageous 6 foot 8, making him one of the tallest players in world football, one can already envisage Nikola Zigic wreaking havoc in the Scottish Premiership.
After 148 appearances and 36 goals for Birmingham City, the St. Andrews outfit elected not to extend his contract this summer.
The 33 year-old may be goal-shy and infamously static but the Scottish Premiership was ranked as the 27th shortest of 31 European top flights back in 2011, so Zigic’s monolithic stature should give the Bhoys a huge advantage. No pun intended.
He’s scored some important goals over the years too – he’s a look at his top five strikes for the Blues:
//www.youtube.com/embed/7PYAH8YuJzQ?rel=0
The retired Serbian international’s alleged move to Arsenal failed to materialise:
And although he’s apparently already rejected a contract offer from an unnamed Scottish side, the allure of European football could convince him to join the ranks at Parkhead.
Sotiris Ninis
Once dubbed the future of Greek football after becoming the youngest player to ever score for the national side and winning the Greek Young Footballer of the Year award twice (in 2007 and 2010), Sotiris Ninis has suffered a spectacular fall from grace since leaving Panathinaikos in 2012.
The playmaking midfielder made just 14 appearances in two years for former club Parma, leading to him miss out on the 2014 World Cup and have his contract cancelled by mutual consent in August.
But by far the youngest player on this list at just 24 years of age, the 30-cap international still boats enormous potential, providing he can find a manager capable of unlocking it. Take this wonder-goal for example:
//www.youtube.com/embed/mqxAOKEGSPg?rel=0
He was also once scouted by Manchester United as Paul Scholes’ successor at Old Trafford.
The midfielder was expected to return to his homeland this summer but he’s yet to find a new club. It could be time to look further afield and Celtic would be an interesting destination – Ninis featured regularly in Europe throughout his time with Panathinakos and will be keen to return to the continental stage.
Here’s another look at Ninis in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/AxYuoYHxclw?rel=0