EA FC 25 Career Mode: Best free agents & contract expiry players

As players get ready to take on the role of club managers in EA FC 25 Career Mode, it’s important to start thinking ahead and strategizing which free agents and expiring contracts to go after.

During the final year of a player’s contract in FC 25, Career mode users are able to sign them on a free transfer. This eliminates the need for the club to pay a transfer fee in order to acquire the player. However, team managers will still need to negotiate and finalize a contract with the player.

One effective method of saving money is by signing players whose contracts are about to expire. There is a wealth of high-quality talent available for acquisition. Furthermore, there are numerous football players currently without a team, eagerly awaiting an opportunity to showcase their skills.

Based on data from Transfermarkt, we have put together a list of top players who will become free agents or have expiring contracts at the end of the 2024/25 season. This comprehensive list offers options for all budget ranges.

Best free agents & contract expiry players

Goalkeeper Info

Wojciech Szczesny: Free agent
Sergio Rico: Free agent
Keylor Navas: Free agent
Rui Patricio: Free agent
Guillermo Ochoa: Free agent
Andriy Lunin: Contract expiry
Walter Benitez: Contract expiry
Kepa Arizzabalaga: Contract expiry
Alex Meret: Contract expiry
Alvaro Valles: Contract expiry

Despite having just completed a phenomenal season with Juventus, Wojciech Szczesny still has plenty of energy and skill to offer and is a prime candidate for many clubs looking to improve their team.

Despite being in the later stages of their careers, Keylor Navas and Guillermo Ochoa still possess valuable skills and could be obtained for reasonable contracts. While some may argue that they have already reached their peak, both players continue to bring value to their teams.

Investing in Andriy Lunin would be a wise decision for the future. As a young goalkeeper currently stuck as Real Madrid’s backup, it should not be difficult to convince him to move elsewhere.

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold (RB): Contract expiry
Mario Hermoso (CB): Free agent
Joel Matip (CB): Free agent
Mats Hummels (CB): Free agent
Alphonso Davies (LB): Contract expiry
Lutsharel Geertruida (CB): Contract expiry
Jonathan Tah (CB): Contract expiry
Virgil Van Dijk (CB): Contract expiry
Oliver Boscagli (CB): Contract expiry
Tyrick Mitchell (LB): Contract expiry
Kurt Zouma (CB): Contract expiry
Ferland Mendy (LB): Contract expiry
Maxence Lacroix (CB): Contract expiry
Kyle Walker-Peters (RB): Contract expiry
Harry Maguire (CB): Contract expiry
Danilho Doekhi (CB): Contract expiry
Chancel Mbemeba (CB): Contract expiry
Victor Lindelof (CB): Contract expiry
Davide Calabria (RB): Contract expiry
Sergio Reguilon (LB): Contract expiry
Tariq Lamptey (RB): Contract expiry
Eric Dier (CB): Contract expiry
Nelson Semedo (RB): Contract expiry
Daniel Carvajal (RB): Contract expiry
Danilo (RB): Contract expiry
Fabian Schar (CB): Contract expiry

There are several notable names on this list, with Trent Alexander-Arnold standing out as one of the top right backs in the world and Alphonso Davies equally impressive at left back.

It is highly probable that both players will only join top clubs, but there are also many excellent budget options available. Daniel Carvajal was a standout performer for Spain during the Euros and as an experienced right back, he continues to excel.

Furthermore, Tyrick Mitchell, Tariq Lamptey, and Davide Calabria are highly skilled players who are often overlooked, despite their ability to seamlessly fit into any top European team.

Midfielders

Joshua Kimmich (CM): Contract expiry
Kevin De Bruyne (CM): Contract expiry
Scott McTominay (CM): Contract expiry
Weston McKennie (CM): Contract expiry
Adrien Rabiot (CM): Free agent
Andres Gomes (CM): Free agent
Yusuf Yazici (CAM): Free agent
Dele Alli (CAM): Free agent
James Rodriguez (CAM): Free agen
Frank Anguissa (CM): Contract expiry
Angel Gomes (CM): Contract expiry
Sean Longstaff (CM): Contract expiry
Rayan Cherki (CAM): Contract expiry
Denzel Dumfries (RM): Contract expiry
Sofyan Amrabat (CDM): Contract expiry
Thomas Partey (CDM): Contract expiry
Christian Norgaard (CDM): Contract expiry
Marco Veratti (CM): Contract expiry
Giovani Lo Celso (CM): Contract expiry
Jorginho (CM): Contract expiry
Koke (CM): Contract expiry
Christian Eriksen (CM): Contract expiry

If you are in need of a midfielder, you have numerous options to choose from. While the top names like Kevin De Bruyne and Joshua Kimmich may immediately come to mind, there are also many other skilled players deserving of recognition.

Despite being without a club, James Rodriguez proved his worth as one of the top players in the Copa America tournament. Similarly, Adrien Rabiot played a crucial role for France in the Euros but is still seeking a contract with a team.

In the future, potential signings of Rayan Cherki, Scott McTominay, and Weston McKennie would bring great value as central players, as they are all available on a free transfer.

Attackers

Leroy Sane (RW): Contract expiry
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST): Contract expiry
Anthony Martial (ST): Free agent
Memphis Depay (ST): Free agent
Wissam Ben Yedder (ST): Free agent
Mohamed Salah (RW): Contract expiry
Ivan Toney (ST): Contract expiry
Jonathan David (ST): Contract expiry
Heung-min Son (LW): Contract expiry
Federico Chiesa (LW): Contract expiry
Lionel Messi (RW): Contract expiry
Neymar (LW): Contract expiry
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (ST): Contract expiry
Paulo Dybala (ST): Contract expiry
Amad Diallo (RW): Contract expiry
Odsonne Edouard (ST): Contract expiry
Cucho Hernandez (ST): Contract expires
Daniel Podence (RW): Contract expiry
Roony Bardghji (RW): Contract expiry

Despite the fact that many clubs may not have enough funds to cover their wages, Neymar, Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah, and Cristiano Ronaldo are all currently on expiring contracts.

In order to accurately reflect the clubs that most Career mode players would be managing, it is worth considering that Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anthony Martial, and Jonathan David are all dynamic players who may benefit from a change of team.

Due to Juventus freezing out star winger Federico Chiesa in the last year of his contract, it should not be difficult for a club to offer the forgotten player a new opportunity elsewhere.