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Best Free Transfer XI: Featuring Ron Vlaar, Wilson Palacios, Carlton Cole

Kevin Nolan is training with Leyton Orient following his release by West Ham in August. We select an XI of other notable players still searching for a club as free agents...

Stuart Taylor: The ex-Arsenal, Leeds and Reading 'keeper had a brief trial earlier in the summer at Charlton Athletic, but wasn't offered anything more permanent.

Emmanuel Eboue: The one-time Arsenal and Galatasaray right back is still without a club following his release from the Turkish side in the summer.

Ron Vlaar: The Dutchman held talks with a number of clubs during the summer after turning down the offer of a new deal at Aston Villa, although the centre-back is currently recuperating from a third operation in less than a year after sustaining a knee injury at Villa Park in January.

Image: Netherlands international defender Ron Vlaar is currently injured, but when back to full fitness will surely be in demand

Joseph Yobo: The experienced former Marseille, Everton and Norwich defender has been on the lookout for new employers ever since being released by his last club Fenerbahce before the start of the 2014/15 season.

Jermaine Pennant: The ex-Arsenal, Leeds and Liverpool right winger joined Wigan as a free agent on a short-term loan deal in February, but was unable to prevent the Latics from being relegated to League One. And despite being offered a new deal by the club, the 32-year-old left the DW Stadium at the end of last season, and is still looking for a new team.

Jermaine Pennant
Image: Jermaine Pennant was released by Wigan at the end of last season and is still on the hunt for a new team

Wilson Palacios: A two-week trial at Hull after his release from Stoke proved unsuccessful, with Steve Bruce saying the Honduran holding midfielder was still lacking match fitness.

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Urby Emanuelson: The former Netherlands international left winger is still only 29, and having played for the likes of Ajax, AC Milan, Fulham and Roma over the last decade, could be a useful free-agent signing after being released by Atalanta at the end of last season.

Fabiano Santacroce  is challenged by Urby Emanuelson
Image: Urby Emanuelson is now a free agent after not being handed a new deal by Atalanta in the summer

Royston Drenthe: The one-time Real Madrid, Everton and Sheffield Wednesday attacking midfielder left Turkish club Kayseri Erciyesspor at the end of last season. However, the Dutchman is available for nothing after failing to find a new team over the summer.

Carlton Cole: Returned to West Ham and was training with the U21's after being released from Upton Park in the summer. The former Chelsea frontman has been linked with moves abroad, particularly to the MLS.

West Ham striker Carlton Cole
Image: Carlton Cole could be heading across the pond after leaving West Ham

Georgios Samaras: Recent speculation linked the lanky striker with a move to Sampdoria, and then the New York Cosmos when the Greek star was spotted in the Big Apple.

Shola Ameobi: The ex-Newcastle forward has been training with Huddersfield of late after a brief stint at Crystal Palace in the second half of last season and could sign a short-term contract with the Championship club.

Image: Nigeria international Shola Ameobi is currently training with Huddersfield