The best free agents in Football Manager 2026
Anyone who has played the Football Manager franchise for an extended period of time will know that free agents can be some of the best signings you will ever make in a save.
Free agents can turn your season around, whether you are a Premier League club looking for a cheap squad option, or a lower league club looking to find a star without having to crack open the cheque book.
In this article, we've put together a list of some of the best free agents in the game, ranging from those who can help you right at the top, and those veterans that might see you overachieve lower down the chain.
The best free agents in Football Manager 2026
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Kicking off our list we have recently released Arsenal defender, Takehiro Tomiyasu.
By far the best player on this list, the Japan international is a versatile defender capable of playing anywhere along your backline, and even further up the pitch should you require him to.
He does begin the game out for three to five months due to an ACL tear, so you'll have to wait for January to sign him, but any top division club should look to sign him when he becomes available.
Ready to start for mid-table sides or be a solid rotation option for trophy contenders, Tomiyasu's strong mental attributes mean that he can add a lot of composure to your defence. And at just 26 years of age, he can also do so for a considerable amount of time at the start of your save.
Photo: Sports InteractiveRenan Lodi
From one full back to the next, the next player on our list of the best free agents in FM26 is Brazilian left back, Renan Lodi.
Most recently playing in Saudi Arabia with Al-Hilal, Renan Lodi has a host of top-flight experience having played for Nottingham Forest, Marseille, and Atletico Madrid earlier in his career. He also has 19 caps for Brazil, making him a very experienced man to add to your defence.
A flying wing back, what Lodi lacks in defensive capabilities, he certainly makes up for in attacking prowess. With 15 in acceleration, dribbling, and crossing, he'll have no issue getting up the left flank and should be able to chip in with plenty of vital assists.
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Juan Bernat
The second left back on our list of FM26 free agents is experienced Spanish player, Juan Bernat. A veteran who has played for some of the biggest names in football in Bayern Munich and PSG, similarly to Lodi, he is most effective when used as one of the more attacking players within your tactic.
At 32, Bernat still has a couple of years in him, but you can expect his physical attributes to begin to decline quickly if you don't give him frequent game time thanks to his 5 natural fitness.
That said, Juan Bernat is fast despite his age, and his 16 work rate will see him move up and down the left side of the pitch with ease.
Photo: Sports InteractiveRadamel Falcao
Potentially the biggest name on this list, Radamel Falcao is also the first name that you should perhaps only consider signing if you're managing a team lower down the footballing pyramids.
That's not to say Falcao isn't good. One of the best strikers of a generation, his 17 finishing and 18 composure combined with 15 off the ball means that he'll still be able to bag you plenty of goals.
However, Falco is now 39, and age has done a number on his physical attributes. He has 8 in both acceleration and pace, as well as 11 jumping reach, which will limit the effectiveness of his 15 heading.
Best used as either a poacher or as a deep-lying forward due to his strong passing attributes, Falcao can be an excellent option to help you on a promotion charge.
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Oriel Romeu
One player you could still get some life out of at the highest level is Oriel Romeu, the former Southampton and Barcelona defensive midfielder is available on a free transfer at the start of your Football Manager 2026 save.
At 33 he is at the tail end of his career, but don't be put off by this, his 18 natural fitness means that he has plenty left in the tank.
An incredibly gifted player with strong mental and technical stats, Romeu can be a rock at the base of your midfield, providing solid cover for your defence and allowing more attacking players to shine.
Photo: Sports InteractiveFraser Forster
The first goalkeeper on our list of the best free agents in Football Manager 2026 is Fraser Forster, who, despite being 39, can still be adept at keeping goals out of your net.
An experienced keeper with six England caps to his name, one of the big benefits of signing Forster is that there will be no concern regarding a work permit if you're managing an English club.
Best suited to a team in the Football League, Forster could also be good for you in the Premier League if you require a solid third-choice to help with your home-grown quota.
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Angelo Ogbonna
Next up we have Angelo Ogbonna, the former Italy international who has played for the likes of Torino, Juventus, West Ham, and most recently, Watford.
At 37, Ogbonna is at the end of his career, but for a team in the lower leagues or a smaller European league that requires solid centre-back cover, Ogbonna is perfect.
He also has very strong mental attributes, making him the ideal candidate to mentor any young players you may want to turn into first team stars.
Photo: Sports InteractiveSalvatore Sirigu
The second goalkeeper on our list of the best FM26 free agents is former Italy and PSG number one, Salvatore Sirigu.
An incredible strong keeper at 38 years of age, Sirigu is mentally superior than most keepers in FM26, and for that reason could be the difference between promotion or mid table obscurity for any lower league side.
An excellent player to bring in for a year at the start of your save, Sirigu can definitely help turn an average side into a great one.
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Rick Karsdorp
Most recently playing for PSV in the Eredivisie, Rick Karsdorp is another defensive figure that can excel in the top division of various nations.
Perhaps more of a rotation option for mid-table sides or below, Karsdorp is another full back who exceeds in attacking situations, this time on the right flank.
At 30, Karsdorp isn't young, but for a solid rotation option that will prevent you from needing to spend money on a position for a couple of years, you can't go wrong with him at all.
Photo: Sports InteractiveLorenzo Insigne
The final name we want to highlight on our list of the best free agents in Football Manager 2026 is Lorenzo Insigne, the diminutive Italian who ditched Serie A title contenders Napoli in favour of MLS chasers Toronto FC.
After three years in the land where they call the beautiful game "soccer", Insigne is available on a free transfer, and for a lower league side he could provide plenty of flair and goals to your attack.
Even as a rotation option for a relegation candidate in a top division, Insigne could be an incredible effective signing. Just bear in mind that his 10 stamina will prevent him from being a regular starter in busy periods.
Photo: Sports InteractiveOther notable free agents
- Sergio Reguilon - LB
- Giacomo Bonaventura - AM
- Anthony Modeste - CF
- James McCarthy - DM
- Andre Ayew - CF
- Mario Balotelli - CF
- Joel Ward - RB
- Alex Oclade-Chamberlain - CM
- Craig Dawson - CB
- Patrick Bamford - CF
- Jaime Seoane - CM
