Seven free transfers you may have missed during the World Cup
While the World Cup is drawing in all the attention, Coral writers keep you clued in with the free transfers you may have missed.
We have mentioned the more obvious bosman buys in Bacary Sagna (to Manchester City), Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea), Joe Cole (Aston Villa) and Joleon Lescott (West Brom), but here are seven players signed during the Brazil tournament.
Lloyd Dyer: Leicester City to Watford
Despite being offered a new one-year-deal with the Foxes, to help them with their Premier League conquest, Dyer, 31, opted instead to remain in the league he has felt most comfortable for the last five years. The winger leaves for Championship side Watford after six seasons and 266 appearances at Leicester.
Kagisho Dikgacoi: Crystal Palace to Cardiff City
South Africa international Dikgacoi also reportedly turned down the offer to play in the top-flight next term, after signing for recently relegated side Cardiff. The midfielder made 26 Premier League appearances last season for Tony Pulis’ team, but instead joins Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Costel Pantilimon: Manchester City to Sunderland
Following the release of respective Republic of Ireland and Argentina international goalkeepers Kieren Westwood and Oscar Ustari from the Stadium of Light, Sunderland have snapped up rangy Romanian Pantilimon, 27, from league champions Man City. The giant stopper briefly edged out Joe Hart for the number one jersey last term to make 18 top-flight appearances.
Bafetimbi Gomis: Lyon to Swansea City
Gomis represents a fantastic coup for the Swans after the striker has scored more than 20 goals in each of his last three seasons in all competitions for French giants Lyon. He was a target for both Swansea and Newcastle United last summer, but an £8m transfer to the latter fell through.
Lee Peltier: Leeds United to Huddersfield
Peltier, 27, who can play on the right side and centre of defence and in midfield, makes the short trip to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield following his release from Elland Road. He re-signs for the side he turned out for in two seasons from 2009.
Clayton Donaldson: Brentford to Birmingham City
Striker Donaldson gained promotion to the Championship with Brentford for the new season, but has instead opted to join Birmingham in the same division, who narrowly avoided relegation. The 30-year-old signs on a two-year deal.
Tim Hoogland: Schalke to Fulham
Felix Magath has signed compatriot Hoogland, 29, for a second time, after he also took the right back to his old side Schalke in 2010. The moves coincides with the departure of Sascha Riether, who returns to his homeland with Freiburg.
