Best Free Transfer - Ryan Nelsen

Ryan Nelsen was relatively unknown in England when Blackburn Rovers signed him. Back then he was one of the stars in US Major League Soccer (MLS), and captain of his national team New Zealand.

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1977, he started playing for Greensboro College in North Carolina at 20. He was named Most Valuable Player in 1999 at Stanford University and became a regular in the international arena.

Nelsen joined DC United in 2001. As the club captain, he was named as the club's ADT Defender of the Year, and being named to the MLS Best XI for 2003 and 2004. Nelsen was entrusted the captain armband by New Zealand for their Confederations Cup Campaign in 2001, and World Cup 2006 qualifiers.

In 2005, Blackburn Rovers signed the New Zealand skipper on an 18-month contract after impressing on his trials. Not before appealing for his work permit. At that time Blackburn Rovers defence was conceding goals. The Kiwi centre-back made an immediate impact in his 20 appearances during the first five months.

Blackburn Rovers qualified for the UEFA Cup with a 6th place finish. Just 18 months after Ryan Nelsen joined Rovers for nothing, Portsmouth offered reportedly £5 millions to lure the Rovers captain to the south coast in the summer. Ryan Nelsen put his pen to a new four-year contract with Blackburn Rovers, ending rumours of a move to Portsmouth.

Manager Mark Hughes declared that "Ryan has to be the best free transfer ever — considering the impact he has made since arriving. He had never played at this level before but adapted quickly and is a fantastic addition to the squad.”