Will Keane and Jonny Williams are among a number of ex-Premier League players currently without a club and listed in a PFA pre-season squad.
The Professional Footballers’ Association runs a scheme allowing out-of-contract players to maintain their fitness and sharpness while searching for new teams.
Both Keane and Williams have experience at the highest level of English football, making their current situations something of a surprise to supporters following the news.
Fans have reacted with widespread disbelief on social media, with many questioning how players of their calibre remain without a club at this stage of the summer.
The phrase “How are they free agents?” became a common refrain among supporters who spotted the familiar names appearing on the PFA’s list of available players.
Will Keane, who has had a career spanning several clubs in England and beyond, was considered a reliable and technically capable forward during his time in the professional game.
Jonny Williams, the Welsh international midfielder, built a reputation as a creative and technically gifted player during his years competing in the Premier League and Football League.
The PFA scheme serves as a vital bridge for players between contracts, offering structured training and visibility to clubs who may be scouting for additions ahead of the new season.
Pre-season is often the window in which free agents attract the most attention, as managers look to bolster their squads without the financial burden of a transfer fee.
For players like Keane and Williams, featuring in the PFA’s programme represents an important opportunity to demonstrate their continued fitness and appetite for the game.
The reaction from fans underlines the reality that supporters often struggle to reconcile the absence of recognisable names from club rosters when the new campaign approaches.
Whether either player secures a move before the season gets underway remains to be seen, but their inclusion in the PFA squad ensures they remain in contention.
