We all love a bargain in life, but there is a great feeling of satisfaction when we bag ourselves a free agent who either goes straight into our first team or develops into a top player.
Sometimes it takes work to find those sorts of players, which is why we thought we would compile a list of some of our favourites from FM26 so far. Without further ado, here are some of our favourite free agents:
Dorde Nikolic
Are you looking for a reliable back-up goalkeeper who doesn’t break the bank? Well, Dorde Nikolic may well be the signing for you. At 28, the Serbian international has some very impressive stats, with 15+ in handling, reflexes, jumping reach and rushing out.
Nikolic struggled for first-team football in real life at Turkish club Sivasspor. However, that is not a good reflection, as he could even have the stats to be a first-choice goalkeeper for a mid-lower league Premier League club.
He is not the best goalkeeper with his feet, but if you don’t expect him to play out from the back, then he is a solid addition to your squad. The fact that he asks for only £7,250 per week only adds to his appeal.
Mario Rui
The former Portugal international may be 34 years of age, but that shouldn’t put you off signing the left-back. Rui left Napoli this summer when his contract expired, and as of the beginning of the game, he hasn’t yet found a new club.
He was highly consistent in Naples in his first six years. However, he failed to appear in the 2024/25 season.
On FM26, Rui is a player who can serve a mid-table team very well as a short-term option. His stats are very good for a free agent, as the highlights of the stats are 16 for crossing, concentration, teamwork, and work rate.
His wages are £48,500 per week, which is not a massive wage for a player who could be a handy addition to most squads, even if it’s only for the short term.
Renan Lodi
The Brazilian international is another left-back who can be signed as a free agent at the start of FM26, after in real life, Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal decided to end his contract in September following his omission from the club’s league squad.
Unlike Rui, Lodi is a player in his prime, at just 26, and is one of the best free agents you can sign in the first summer. The full-back was plus 14 for technique, first touch, work rate, off the ball, crossing, dribbling and acceleration, amongst others.
Although Lodi is a free agent, his wage demands are high because he is usually in demand. In fact, when we have tried to sign him, he has asked for around £87,000 per week. However, the fact that you don’t pay a fee for him slightly negates the fact.
Christian Rivera
The Spanish defensive or central midfielder is a shrewd signing. At 27, in his prime, his stats are those of someone you would usually pay a hefty fee for. Rivera has 14+ stats for technique, passing and tackling, among other high stats.
Rivera is best deployed as a defensive midfielder, although he can play further forward as a central midfielder. The former Sporting Gijon midfielder would likely suit teams of mid-lower Premier League standard.
His wage demands are reasonable, as you usually have to pay around £38,000 per week to nab persuade the Spaniard to join.
Hakim Ziyech
Ziyech is one of the most skilful players available on a free transfer. In real life, he recently returned to his homeland to sign for Wydad AC. At 32, he is not the youngest player, but the Moroccan international still has plenty left in the tank.
View this post on Instagram
The former Chelsea and Ajax star has impressive stats for a player without a fee attached. The attacking midfielder has +16 in technique, passing, long shot, first touch, and crossing.
Ziyech’s ideal position is as a number in an advanced playmaker role, where he can pull the strings. He can play in all the attacking midfield roles, and his preferred role is as a right-winger, but he lacks the pace to play out wide, so he is not as effective from the wing.
Like many free agents, he has relatively high wage demands, around £70,000 per week. However, when played in the right position, he can prove well worth his wages.
