In fact Posh have had plenty of success in the free transfer market as these successful signings confirm.
17. DEREK DOUGAN (left)
High-class striker who quit football aged 25 before Posh persuaded him sign for them in 1963. Dougan scored 46 goals in 90 appearances before predictably going back up the Football League ladder. Photo: s
18. ANDY CLARKE
A striker signed from the old Wimbledon in the summer of 1999 who scored a winning play-off final goal at Wembley at the end of his first season. Clarke went on to score 71 goals in 264 appearances for Posh. Photo: David Lowndes
19. JIMMY QUINN
This striker was 37 when he move to London Road from Reading in July 1997. But Quinn was deady in in front of goal scoring 25 times before the end of January in his one full season at London Road. The Northern Irishman scored 30 goals in 62 Posh appearances. Photo: David Lowndes
20. DAVID SEAMAN
Posh picked up a teenage goalkeeper from Leeds United in August 1982. He made 106 appearances for Posh before going on to super stardom with Arsenal and England. Photo: David Lowndes