The start of January and the final six months of the football season means only one thing - the Bosman ruling. Initiated in 1995, the ruling allows players to leave clubs for free come the end of their contract. In addition players are allowed to discuss terms with our teams once they have six months remaining on their current deal. Over the years the ruling has engineered some spectacular free transfers. In 1996 Edgar Davids became the first high profile star to utilise the law, moving from Ajax to AC Milan. While Steve McManaman left Liverpool to join Real Madrid in 1999, also courtesy of the Bosman ruling. Most recently, Robert Lewandowksi has agreed to join Bayern Munich for free from Borussia Dortmund come the summer. The Polish forward may have already been snapped up by the Champions League champions, but there are plenty more Bosman bargains to be had. In this feature, What Culture looks at the top five Bosman signings available to clubs.
Simon is an NCTJ qualified sports journalist. He has conducted interviews with Tony Adams and Peter Shilton, while also having work published in The Daily Telegraph and The Sun. Follow him on Twitter via @sr_collings.
