Best EA FC 26 Free Agents and Contract Expiry Players in Career Mode

Free transfers and expiring contracts remain the safest way to strengthen your squad in EA FC 26 Career Mode without draining funds. With injuries, player sales, and limited budgets always in play, savvy managers turn to the free market to stay competitive.

If you’re aiming to pick up players on expiring deals, these are the top free agents available in EA FC 26!

 

Best Free Agents in Season One

This year’s twist is that adjusted contract logic and more aggressive AI mean top players are less likely to hit free agency, so you’ll need to act faster and negotiate more carefully.

Here are the players currently available for you to choose from in the table. Ratings are based on the first season or the point when their contract expires (according to the Career Mode free agents list).

Player Name	Position	Nationality	Rating
Memphis Depay	ST	Netherlands	81
Romain Saiss	CB	Morocco	79
Luis Malagon	GK	Mexico	79
Erick Sanchez	CM	Mexico	78
Hakim Ziyech	RM	Morocco	78
Alexis Vega	LW	Mexico	78
Akram Arif	LM	Qatar	78
Krzysztof Piatek	ST	Poland	78
German Berterame	ST	Mexico	78
Roberto Alvarado	RM	Mexico	78
Guilherme	CDM	Qatar	77
Oriol Romeu	CM	Spain	76
Matti De Sciglio	RB	Italy	75
Dele Alli	CM	England	71
Patrick Bamford	ST	England	71
Jamal Lewis	LB	Northern Ireland	68

Free agent options are quite limited in the 2025/26 season, aside from a handful of names. The standout signing is undoubtedly Memphis Depay, who remains a reliable goal threat. Quick managers can also snap up Champions League winner Hakim Ziyech. In midfield, ex-Barcelona player Oriol Romeu is available on a free, along with the experienced Krzysztof Piatek.

 

 

Best Free Agents in Season Two

The January transfer window in Season Two is where the real bargains emerge, since some big names only show up once their contracts expire. Scouting early and monitoring the free-agent list will give you the best chance to snap them up.

Build your shortlist early according to the list below, as you’ll be up against Europe’s top clubs when it comes to wages and role guarantees.

Player Name	Position	Nationality	Rating
Robert Lewandowski	ST	Poland	88
Frenkie De Jong	CDM	Netherlands	87
Mike Maignan	GK	France	87
Ibrahima Konate	CB	France	86
Antonio Rudiger	CB	Germany	86
Dayot Upamecano	CB	France	86
Sergej Milinkovic - Savic	CM	Serbia	84
Bernardo Silva	CM	Portugal	84
Ruben Neves	CDM	Portugal	84
Julian Brandt	CAM	Germany	83
Marc Guehi	CB	England	82
Dusan Vlahovic	ST	Serbia	82
Leon Goretzka	CM	Germany	82
Serge Gnabry	RM	Germany	82
Andrew Robertson	LB	Scotland	82
John Stones	CB	Manchester City	82
Rodrigo Bentancur	CM	Uruguay	80
Casemiro	CDM	Brazil	80
Quinten Timber	CM	Netherlands	80
Harry Maguire	CB	England	80
Franck Kessie	CDM	Ivory Coast	80

Your second season in Career Mode presents a golden opportunity to strengthen your squad through the free agent market.

By acting swiftly when the transfer window opens, you can secure the services of Barcelona's talented duo, Frenkie de Jong and Robert Lewandowski. For an immediate defensive upgrade, the experienced Antonio Rudiger is the ideal candidate, while Ibrahima Konate represents a shrewd long-term investment for the future.

 

How to sign players on contract expiry？

If there’s someone on the contract expiry list you want, you’ll need to check their status in-game and hope their club hasn’t renewed their deal yet:

• Open your Career Mode save.
• Head to the Transfer Center.
• In the January window, search for the player.
• Choose “Approach to Sign.”
• Finalize the contract.

By doing this, you bypass the club, negotiate directly with the player, and they’ll join your squad for free at the end of the season.

You should however keep in mind:

• skillfully negotiate compensation and team positioning—"free transfer" doesn't equate to zero investment; these players still require financial remuneration, defined club status, and guaranteed playing minutes.
• Deploy free agents strategically to reinforce specific squad gaps instead of initiating complete overhauls—this approach allows fiscal efficiency while preserving the core framework's continuity.

 

How to Find Top Free Agents in Other Seasons？

As contracts run out and clubs release players, the free-agent pool in FC 26 keeps expanding. While many managers wait for a new season to scoop up bargains, acting early often pays off.

You can even line up future free transfers before their deals officially expire.To do this, use the player search function and filter for free agents. Those without a club will display limited stats, but sending scouts will uncover their full attributes and overall rating.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion，the first season demands prudent squad building for depth, while the second presents the chance to acquire marquee starters on free transfers. Ensure your scouting is operational by autumn, make decisive moves in the January window, and manage contract structures to maintain a sustainable wage bill.

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