The next free agent to fall under our microscope is former Man Utd youngster Febian Brandy.
The next free agent to fall under our microscope is former Man Utd youngster Febian Brandy
Any player who has progressed through the academy ranks at Manchester United must have something about them, and Febian Brandy certainly has. Despite being unable to force his way into first-team reckoning at Old Trafford, he has enjoyed productive loan spells at varying levels throughout the Football League. A diminutive frontman with pace to burn, he has also turned out for England at every youth level up to U20s.
Is it worrying being an out of contract player in the current climate or is it part and parcel of modern football?
Personally, I just get on with playing football. Contracts are part of football and I've had to talk about them a few times with my first pro and out on loan etc. I was advised by the club early on to get an agent, so thankfully I can let him think about all that but contracts can be a worrying time.
More and more players are dropping into the free agent market every year, is that an issue which needs to be addressed by the authorities?
Each year the standard gets higher so I think inevitably players become available but that can be a good thing. United have turned down offers for me in the past and now I'm available on a free transfer, that's football for you!
How do you approach the summer, what is your mindset, is it just a case of sitting tight?
This summer my mindset is just to stay fit and focus on getting a club and as my dad always said to me, stay positive.
Do you have an preference as to the standard you are looking at, are you thinking 'I want to play at this or that level'?
I'd like to stay with a Premier League club, I had an invitation to Toronto in the MLS at the end of June and a few Championship clubs have expressed an interest so right now I'm open minded as to where my next challenge will be.
Would you be prepared to relocate - something you have to put up with now as you have to go where the contracts are?
I've travelled around all over the world with England, in the World Cup in the summer we were in Egypt for the U20s, and on loan with Swansea and Hereford so I'm used to relocating. I'd travel anywhere if it was the right move for my football.
What do you feel you offer prospective employers, what are your best attributes?
At United I've played with Ronaldo, Giggs, Scholes etc so learning from players like that has been a huge help for me. I'd say I have great pace and over the last couple of seasons I've worked on my strength, as my size has been questioned as I'm only 5'6''. But I've scored a few headers and done well against some big centre-halves out on loan so hopefully it's paid off and now I can use my size as an advantage. I've played for England every year of my career and playing in the World Cup U20s last summer was a fantastic experience for me.
To see the full list of players currently available as free agents, provided by the PFA,
click here.
Febian Brandy is a client of Jamie Holsgrove, an FA licensed and Fifa registered agent. His details are as follows:
One Sport Ltd.
Pall Mall Court
61-67 King Street
Manchester
M2 4PD
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.
