EA FC 26 Career Mode offers over 60 top-tier players available as free agents or with expiring contracts, including world-class stars like Robert Lewandowski (88 rating), Frenkie De Jong (87), and Mike Maignan (87) who can be signed without transfer fees in the 2026/27 season. The first season features immediate free agents like Hakim Ziyech and Christian Eriksen, while the second season unlocks elite players from Barcelona, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich whose contracts expire.
| Season | Top Players Available | Best Positions | Total Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 (First Season) | Ziyech, Eriksen, Tomiyasu | RM, CM, RB | 37+ players |
| 2026/27 (Second Season) | Lewandowski, De Jong, Silva | ST, CDM, CM | 25+ elite players |
Whether you're managing a lower-league club with budget constraints or building a powerhouse team, this comprehensive guide reveals every free agent and contract expiry player worth signing in EA FC 26. We'll show you exactly when to approach these players, how to secure their signatures, and which hidden gems offer the best value for your Career Mode squad.
Contents
The 2025/26 season starts with a diverse pool of free agents ready to join your club immediately. While the selection might seem limited compared to future seasons, several Champions League winners and experienced internationals can transform your squad without spending a penny on transfer fees.
| Player Name | Position | Age | Rating | Nationality | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hakim Ziyech | RM | 32 | 78 | Morocco | Pace: 79, Dribbling: 82 |
| Takehiro Tomiyasu | RB | 26 | 78 | Japan | Defending: 77, Physical: 76 |
| Christian Eriksen | CM | 33 | 76 | Denmark | Passing: 85, Vision: 88 |
| Oriol Romeu | CDM | 33 | 76 | Spain | Defending: 78, Physical: 77 |
| Victor Lindelöf | CB | 31 | 75 | Sweden | Defending: 76, Physical: 74 |
| Mattia De Sciglio | RB | 32 | 75 | Italy | Pace: 73, Defending: 75 |
| Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | CM | 31 | 75 | England | Shooting: 74, Pace: 75 |
Beyond the headline names, EA FC 26's free agent pool includes promising younger players and solid squad depth options that smaller clubs should prioritize:
| Player Name | Position | Age | Rating | Potential Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuele Vignato | CAM | 21 | 68 | High growth potential |
| Daouda Guindo | LB | 22 | 65 | Defensive prospect |
| Josh Dasilva | CM | 26 | 72 | Premier League ready |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin | ST | 28 | 74 | Proven goalscorer |
| Dele Alli | CM | 29 | 71 | Former wonderkid |
Dele Alli's availability represents one of the most intriguing storylines in EA FC 26. Once destined for superstardom, his contract with Como was recently terminated in real life, making him available as a free agent in-game. While his 71 rating might not impress on paper, his experience and potential resurgence make him worth a gamble for mid-table clubs.
For managers seeking specific positions or nationalities, here's the comprehensive list of all available free agents at Career Mode's start:
Attackers:
Midfielders:
Defenders:
Goalkeepers:
The 2026/27 season transforms your transfer strategy with an unprecedented pool of world-class talent becoming available. This represents the golden opportunity in EA FC 26 Career Mode, where patience pays off with access to players typically worth hundreds of millions.
| Player Name | Position | Age | Current Club | Rating | Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Lewandowski | ST | 37 | Barcelona | 88 | Free |
| Frenkie De Jong | CDM | 28 | Barcelona | 87 | Free |
| Mike Maignan | GK | 30 | AC Milan | 87 | Free |
| Ibrahima Konaté | CB | 26 | Liverpool | 86 | Free |
| Antonio Rüdiger | CB | 32 | Real Madrid | 86 | Free |
| Dayot Upamecano | CB | 26 | Bayern Munich | 85 | Free |
The midfield department offers exceptional quality with players from Europe's elite clubs:
| Player Name | Position | Club | Rating | Key Attributes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernardo Silva | CM/RW | Man City | 84 | Dribbling: 90, Passing: 83 |
| Ruben Neves | CDM | Al-Hilal | 84 | Passing: 86, Long Shots: 85 |
| Sergej Milinković-Savić | CM | Al-Hilal | 84 | Physical: 85, Shooting: 81 |
| Julian Brandt | CAM | Dortmund | 83 | Pace: 78, Dribbling: 85 |
| Leon Goretzka | CM | Bayern | 82 | Physical: 84, Shooting: 78 |
| Quinten Timber | CM | Feyenoord | 80 | Potential: 85 |
Saudi Pro League Returns: The expiration of Saudi contracts means European clubs can bring back Ruben Neves and Milinković-Savić without competing with oil-rich wages. Both players retain their peak abilities and offer immediate impact for Champions League contenders.
Build an impenetrable defense with these available stars:
| Player Name | Position | Rating | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Guehi | CB | 82 | England international, leadership qualities |
| John Stones | CB | 82 | Ball-playing defender, versatile |
| Harry Maguire | CB | 80 | Aerial threat, experienced |
| Andrew Robertson | LB | 82 | Elite crossing, work rate |
| Eric García | CB | 79 | Barcelona academy, high potential |
| Player Name | Position | Club | Rating | Goal/Assist Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dušan Vlahović | ST | Juventus | 82 | Clinical finisher |
| Serge Gnabry | RM/LM | Bayern | 82 | Pace and power |
| Weston McKennie | CM/RM | Juventus | 78 | Versatile attacker |
Even clubs with limited wage budgets can benefit from these experienced professionals:
Understanding EA FC 26's pre-contract rules maximizes your chances of securing top talent:
The AI Competition Factor: Major clubs aggressively pursue expiring contracts. To beat them:
Multi-Season Planning: Some managers use a technique called "contract stacking":
EA FC 26's contract system varies slightly across platforms:
The 2026/27 season offers unprecedented goalkeeper options:
Primary Target: Mike Maignan (87) represents the perfect blend of age (30) and ability. His shot-stopping and distribution make him ideal for possession-based systems.
Budget Alternative: Matthew Ryan (73) available immediately offers Premier League experience for smaller clubs.
Center-Back Pairing Strategy:
Fullback Excellence:
Create a balanced midfield with these combinations:
Elite Setup (Season 2):
Budget Setup (Season 1):
Target Man System:
Pace & Power:
Several high-profile free agents aren't in EA FC 26's database:
These exclusions result from EA's database lock date, typically 6-8 weeks before release.
Important: EA Sports doesn't update contract lengths after launch, meaning:
Combine free agents with youth academy graduates:
Free agents require no transfer fee but demand higher wages. Plan accordingly:
| Player Type | Typical Wage Demand | Signing Bonus | Total First Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Class (85+) | £200-300k/week | £10-15M | £20-30M |
| Elite (80-84) | £100-200k/week | £5-10M | £10-20M |
| Good (75-79) | £50-100k/week | £2-5M | £5-10M |
| Squad (70-74) | £20-50k/week | £1-2M | £2-5M |
Three-Year Plan Example:
Year 1: Sign Ziyech, Eriksen, Tomiyasu (Free)
Year 2: Sign De Jong, Konaté, Silva (Pre-contract)
Year 3: Sell Year 1 signings
Different versions affect available features:
Join the EA FC 26 community for latest updates and strategies:
Some players report inability to approach players with <6 months remaining. Solutions:
If expected free agents aren't available:
Focus on elite talent to maintain dominance:
Build around experience and potential:
Immediate impact and resale value:
You can sign players whose contracts are six months from expiration under a pre-contract agreement, typically starting January 1st in Career Mode. This means targeting players entering the final year of their contracts and approaching them during the January transfer window.
No, EA FC 26's database is locked before release. Even if a listed player signs a contract in real life, he'll still be available on a free transfer in the game because the devs don't update contract durations after a certain point.
For immediate impact, Hakim Ziyech (78) and Christian Eriksen (76) provide Champions League experience. For long-term value, signing younger players like Takehiro Tomiyasu (26 years old) or waiting for Ibrahima Konaté (86 rating) in Season 2 offers the best return on investment.
In 2026, some top players will also be out of their Saudi Pro League contracts, meaning you can finally bring the likes of Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic back to Europe. These players become available as free agents in the second season.
Other notable contract expiry players, such as Miralem Pjanic and Lorenzo Insigne, are missing from the EA FC 26 database. This occurs due to licensing issues or retirement from the game's database.
Focus on Season 1 free agents like Victor Lindelöf and Oriol Romeu who provide immediate quality without transfer fees. Use the savings to improve facilities and scout young talents while building toward bigger signings in Season 2.
Scout players early (October/November), approach immediately when the window opens, offer "Crucial" squad roles, and be prepared to pay 20-30% above their current wages with substantial signing bonuses.
Nintendo Switch has simplified negotiations focusing mainly on wage offers, while PC and console versions offer full negotiation features. Cross-platform saves maintain contract dates consistently.
EA Sports typically releases squad updates that may affect:
However, contract lengths remain unchanged throughout the game cycle.
New features enhancing free agent signings:
EA FC 26's free agent market offers unprecedented opportunities for shrewd managers. Whether you're immediately recruiting Champions League winners like Hakim Ziyech or patiently waiting to land Robert Lewandowski and Frenkie De Jong for free, success comes from planning ahead and understanding the market dynamics.
The key to dominating Career Mode lies in combining immediate free agent signings with strategic pre-contract negotiations. Start with experienced professionals in Season 1, build your reputation and revenue, then strike for world-class talent in Season 2 when the market explodes with quality.
Remember to bookmark this guide and check back for updates as EA Sports releases patches and squad updates throughout 2025. Join the vibrant EA Sports FC Discord community to share your success stories and discover new strategies from fellow managers.