The next free agent to fall under our microscope is experienced striker Ade Akinbiyi.
The next free agent to fall under our microscope is experienced striker Ade Akinbiyi
Ade Akinbiyi has been terrorising opposition defences for the best part of 20 years, and is as much of a threat now as he has ever been. Blessed with power and pace in abundance, he has turned out in the Premier League and internationally for Nigeria. He has never been afraid of a challenge, or the opportunity to prove people wrong, and is a frontman who has bags of belief in his own ability.
Is it worrying being an out of contract player in the current climate or is that now part and parcel of a footballer's career?
It's not a worry, far from it. It's not a worry at all.
There are more and more players entering the free agent market every summer, is it an issue which the authorities need to address?
I think as a player you need to look after yourself. If you know you are set to come out of contract, you need to know what you are going to do next. I don't think everyone can look after you all the time, you have to plan ahead. If you are a younger player it is a bit more worrying but when you get to my age, 34/35, and you know you are running down a contract, you have to be prepared for it.
What is your mindset heading into the summer, are you just looking to sit tight?
If something comes it comes, if it doesn't it doesn't - it's not a big issue for me. I have been playing the game for years and I have enjoyed it. If I can't find a club I will move on to something else. It could be well into August before some players find out what's happening. I know a lot of people will start panicking now because they haven't got a club but, for me personally, I'm not panicking. If it doesn't happen for me it's a lot different than for a younger player. There are so many clubs who haven't started sorting things out.
Do you have any idea as to the standard you are aiming at and what level you would like to play?
It depends on how I felt. If it was League One, Two or the Championship, if my body tells me I have to stop I will stop. I want to carry on playing but we will have to see what happens. It not too easy to say I want to play in League One or League Two. When you are playing week in, week out, it depends what my body can do. I didn't play a lot of Notts County, but I was prepared for that at my age. There are a lot of younger players around now and are doing really well. So at my age I am looking to, I wouldn't say relax but I am looking to enjoy the game. Most clubs will look at younger players, but if something comes I am ready for it.
Would you be willing to relocate? Do you have to accept that you need to move where the contracts are?
Relocation is part of football. I am prepared to travel, I just work it out with my family.
What about America again?
I would have to think about it. Anything could appeal. I just want to enjoy the game as much as I can. It's all gone really quick, so every opportunity you get you have to take it. I will speak to anyone. If they want to speak to me, I will speak. It just depends on whether it is right for me and how they want to deal with me. Do they want to train every game, or play every game? I will talk to anyone.
Would a dual role appeal to you, combining playing with coaching duties?
I did look into that. I would have to do my badges, but someone said I should do a bit of coaching and playing as well. I would sit down and talk about it. It's not something that crossed my mind at all, but now I have thought I could go out to America and do a bit of coaching with kids and that.
To see the full list of players currently available as free agents, provided by the PFA,
click here.
We would like to hear your thoughts on the best free transfers out there. Who should we be talking to? Who are this summer's bargains? Who should your club be targeting?
Maybe you are a player that would like to be featured, or an agent looking to get a client fixed up for next season.
To offer your suggestions fill in the feedback form or email chris.burton@bskyb.com or
james.riach@bskyb.com.
