10 free agents Championship clubs could still sign after deadline day

Mark Mothershaw Updated: 33 minutes ago

Championship clubs spent unprecedented sums of money during the summer transfer window this year.

With six play-off spots up for grabs for the first time in second-tier history this season, teams have seemingly been keener than ever to flex their muscle in the window and give themselves as good an opportunity as possible to be in the mix for the Premier League come next May.

However, whilst the window officially slammed shut at 11pm on Tuesday, there is still a surprising amount of Championship talent lingering within the free agent market -- all of whom, of course, can sign for clubs at any time.

We take a look at some of the more notable players still on the hunt for a fresh opportunity...

Download the App

Championship

View Latest Odds

Top 10 list of Championship free agents

Jamie Vardy

Already linked with moves to a plethora of Championship clubs, including Wrexham and West Ham United, Jamie Vardy appears to be the most in-demand free agent for clubs in the second tier. It's understood the former England and Leicester City hitman's future will be resolved sooner rather than later with moves to the MLS and the Middle East not being ruled out.

Amir Hadziahmetovic

Tenacious defensive midfielder Amir Hadziahmetovic is another standout player on the free agent marker after departing Turkish club Besiktas this summer. The 29-year-old Bosnian star was a key performer for Hull City in the Championship during a loan spell there in 2025/26 and valued at around £4 million could represent a shrewd pick-up for any side looking to challenge for promotion.

Will Smallbone

Will Smallbone finds himself on the hunt for a new club for the first time in his career following seven years with boyhood club Southampton. The republic of Ireland international played a starring role in their promotion winning campaign in 2023/24 but has since fallen down the pecking order. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Millwall and will undoubtedly have significant interest over the next few weeks.

Conor Coady

Vastly experienced and renowned for his leadership qualities, it would come as a huge surprise to see former England man Conor Coady without a club for too long. He was recently released by Wrexham just a year after joining the Welsh side from Leicester City. He impressed for Charlton Athletic during a loan spell there at the tail end of last season, serving a timely reminder of what he has to offer at this level.

Tom Davies

Still just 28, Tom Davies was tipped for a future at the very top of the game when he burst onto the scene at Everton. However, after making 155 appearances for the Toffees, he made a move to Sheffield United, where, despite featuring regularly, he never quite managed fulfill his undoubted promise. Injuries have hampered him to an extent but if a club can look beyond that his acquisition could prove a risk with potentially huge reward.

Joe Aribo

Joe Aribo is another high-profile midfielder still on the free agent list. Capped 39 times by Nigeria, the powerful and front-footed performer has notched almost 100 appearances in each of his spells with Charlton Athletic, Rangers and Southampton. His form wasn't quite as impressive at Leicester City for whom he featured just six times last term, but still, if he can rediscover the form he showed north of the border and in the Premier League with Southampton, he'd represent a significant capture.

Jamal Lewis

Jamal Lewis has recently reportedly been on the radar of Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion, but for now, he remains unattached. The Northern Ireland wing-back excelled during his spell with Norwich City at the start of his career and deservedly earned a crack at top-flight football with Newcastle United. Since then however, his career has curtailed. The 28-year-old showed glimpses of his talents during spells with Watford, Preston North End and Sao Paulo, in Brazil, but nobody has since been tempted to take the plunge.

Jonathan Panzo

At 25-years-old, Jonathan Panzo has plenty of upside. Once regarded as a future England star, the London-born central defender desperately needs to find himself a club he can call home. He's already featured for nine different sides throughout his career, including a handful overseas, but has surprisingly failed to make more than 30 appearances for any. Boasting Premier League and Championship experience, Panzo still has plenty to offer. However, you feel he has to knuckle down and earn his stripes if and when any club hands him his next opportunity.

Marcus Forss

Marcus Forss' career has been peculiar to say the least. The Finnish international is an unquestionable Championship talent, proving that by notching 17 league goals for Middlesbrough across 59 appearances in 2022/23 and 2023/24. However, he has since scored just three further times in 43 outings for Boro and recent loan side Bolton Wanderers. The 28-year-old was a £3 million arrival in the North East not too long ago, with Premier League clubs tracking him due to his goalscoring exploits. He's since been released from the Riverside Stadium and whilst there has been interest in his services, his future remains unresolved.

Jannik Vestergaard

Leicester City forked out £15 million for the services of the giant Jannik Vestergaard from then Premier League rivals Southampton in 2021. He made 101 appearances for the Foxes as they yo-yo'd between the top-flight and Championship but now finds himself seeking potentially one final opportunity. At 34, age isn't on his side of the 59-time capped Denmark international, but even so, you'd think he would still boast more than enough quality to help shore up defences in the second-tier.