The transfer window may now be officially closed until January, but there are still plenty of quality players who find themselves at a loose end.
While last Thursday evening marked the final opportunity of this calendar year for clubs to sign players already under contract, teams wishing to bolster their squads following the closure of the window still have the option of picking up reinforcements from a healthy pool of experienced and talented free agents.
With that in mind, we've selected a full XI of players who are free of contractual obligations and free to sign with any club they can come to an agreement with.
Between them, members of this XI have won pretty much everything there is to win in the club game - and each player could still be a valuable asset to a new side under the right conditions.
An XI of players who are still free agents following the closure of the summer transfer window
GK: Loris Karius
DR: Serge Aurier
CB: Dan-Axel Zagadou
CB: Jason Denayer
DL: Danny Rose
CM: Xeka
CM: Juan Mata
AM: Adel Taarabt
RW: Aaron Lennon
LW: Hatem Ben Arfa
CF: Diego Costa
Four years after he last played for Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final, Karius' deal at Anfield finally expired over the summer.
Still only 29, the German shot-stopper is on the hunt for a new club - where he can finally put the ghosts of his Kviv nightmare against Real Madrid to bed.
KIEV, UKRAINE - MAY 26: Loris Karius of Liverpool breaks down in tears after defeat in the UEFA Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Watford terminated the contract of former England international Rose on deadline day, leaving the 32-year-old in search of a new home for the season ahead.
Centre-back pairing Denayer and Zagadou shouldn't be without a club for too long. Belgian international Denayer - who departed Lyon in the summer - is on the radar of Wolves.
Meanwhile, former Dortmund defender Zagadou is reportedly attracting interest from Roma.
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Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest essentially recruited an entirely new squad over the summer - and they may not be done yet.
Ex-Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain full-back Aurier remains a free agent but has been repeatedly linked with a move to the City Ground in recent days.
The only Champions League winner in the XI (with Chelsea in 2011/12), Mata's 11-year spell in the English top-flight concluded when he left Manchester United at the end of June.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Juan Mata of Manchester celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 second leg match between Manchester United and FK Rostov at Old Trafford on March 16, 2017 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
The 34-year-old Spaniard is seemingly keen to continue playing at the highest level, having turned down the offer of a switch to MLS last month.
Portuguese midfielder Xeka played a key role in helping Lille to lift the Ligue 1 title at the expense of the mighty PSG in 2021/22.
Still only 27 years old, the former Braga man has the potential to enhance any squad he joins and has reportedly been the subject of enquiries from Everton this summer.
Any club taking a punt on 33-year-old Taarabt probably shouldn't expect him to hit the heights of his insane 2010/11 season for Queens Park Rangers, but he retains the raw talent to be a difference maker. The Moroccan playmaker is in search of a new club following his release by Benfica at the start of the month.
A cult hero among fans of the beautiful game, Ben Arfa was never massively inclined to put a shift in during his peak years. Now 35, it'll likely be even harder for a coach to get the best out of him.
VALENCIA, SPAIN - JULY 07: Hatem Ben Arfa of Real Valladolid CF make orders during the Liga match between Valencia CF and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio Mestalla on July 07, 2020 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
However, if the Frenchman is in the mood, he can still be a valuable member of any squad. The same is true of former Spurs and Everton winger Lennon, who signalled his intention to continue his career following his release by Burnley.
Leading the line is one of the game's most legendary s***houses in Costa. Such has been the Brazilian's fondness for on-field antics over the years that they have at times camouflaged his considerable ability as a striker.
BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 28: Diego Costa of Atletico MG celebrates after winning a match between Atletico MG and Fluminense as part of Brasileirao 2021 at Mineirao Stadium on November 28, 2021 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
Genuinely one of the top frontmen on the planet with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea during his prime, the now-33-year-old still managed five goals in 19 games for Brazilian champions Atletico Mineiro last year - and even reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal back in January.
Check out the full XI below.
Diego Costa, Mata, Ben Arfa: A free agent XI of players available to sign right now
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