EFL clubs often operate on tight budgets, making free agents shrewd moves for many clubs. Among the 3 divisions, and the premier league, there are many players out of contract in summer 2025, who I think will be a great fit for many clubs. Let’s take a look at 10.
EFL Free Agents – Teddy Sharman-Lowe
He has got an option for another year, but Teddy is out of contract at Chelsea this summer. At the blues, opportunities are likely limited, as we know the influx of players is high – meaning it could be wise for Sharman-Lowe to seek opportunities elsewhere. He could continue his development in the EFL, after his time with Doncaster Rovers. He has made 38 EFL appearances, supporting Donny in their push for promotion, becoming a pivotal part of the backline conceding 44 goals, maintaining 10 clean sheets. The sweeper is a top prospect for the future, and as permanent young goalkeepers can be hard to come by in the EFL, a free transfer for a club in League One or Two would be good business, as at the age of 22, there is high potential with the Englishman.
3 Potential Clubs : Doncaster, Exeter, Barnsley
EFL Free Agents – Josh Brownhill
The Burnley skipper is an experienced second tier player now, and also at the higher end in terms of quality as well. He is Burnley’s midfields heartbeat in their title bid – as he was under Vincent Kompany 2 years ago. He is somewhat unproven in the top tier, which makes his availability more for Championship sides in the summer, and his goal threat from the 8 position in the EFL will persuade clubs to come in for him. A 13 goal (so far) season has bolstered his image as a goalscoring Championship 8, and his all round attacking ability creates him to be an appealing footballer. Leadership and his ever presence has made him a favourite under 3 Clarets managers, and if Burnley don’t go up, don’t underestimate the potential of a move come the window. Other clubs in a promotion push may look more appealing to Josh, and other teams failing to go up, or the teams coming down my keep a keen eye on the midfield man.
3 Potential Clubs : Southampton, Sheffield United, Ipswich
EFL Free Agents – Grant Hanley
Another player with vast EFL experience, I’m sure Hanley will be eager to regain first team minutes. While wages may be seen as an issue for League One sides for some, his role as a first team player for Scotland could be under jeopardy if he continues to lack minutes for a club. Currently at Birmingham, they will offload him this year, and plenty of clubs in the third or maybe second tier will be sniffing around for him. The centre half’s leadership and physicality would make him a fantastic addition to any League 1 side, and his longevity in the EFL proves his ability. While ageing and lacking minutes in seasons just gone, managing him correctly and making use of his select traits, will make him a man under many rumours this summer. Don’t underestimate Hanley, he isnt too rusty, after performing over 10 times this season, he is still ready to put in a shift.
3 Potential Clubs : Bolton, Walsall, Blackpool
EFL Free Agents – Veteszlaz Jaros
You may not have heard of the Liverpool shot-stopper much, but he is available this summer. He is 23, only made one premier league appearance, and played one league cup game for the Reds. Some may remember him from his loan at Stockport County, which in turn earned him a move to the Austrian Bundesliga. He has began to slowly break into the Czech Republic senior side, meaning like Hanley, the prospect of being an international footballer becomes a motivator to seek first team club minutes. With a valuation of £5m, the difficulty to find permanent EPL academy graduate GK’s in the EFL, he will be heavily sought after come this window. It is hard to know his level in terms of the senior game, but a Championship move would not be a shock.
3 Potential Clubs : Stockport, Blackburn, Leeds
EFL Free Agents – Kwame Poku
Some might say Posh’s tricky winger has been playing well below his level for some time. The Ghanaian had 11 third tier goals last season, and has repeated the feat so far this term. The right winger, in a now struggling Boro side, has played alongside EFL stars like Harrison Burrows and Ronnie Edwards, but is now Boro’s shining light. It will be a shame for Posh to lose him on a free, but after being chased by sides like Stoke and Glasgow Rangers previously, it is inevitable he will make a step above League One for next season. He offers goals, pace, and skills to a team – and a free role will allow him to create chances from nothing, even on a quiet day, even with a lesser team around him, proven in 24/25, where Boro have faced relegation threats. The Championship seems highly likely for Poku, Peterborough will miss their man, but with more chances for Ghana on the horizon, he will surely take his chance in tier 2 of the English game.
3 Potential Teams : Birmingham, Stoke, Southampton
EFL Free Agents – Lewis Baker
Baker is a solid Championship number 8. The journeyman is not a stranger to a new club, and his adaptability and experience will be traits to motivate clubs to ask for his services. Across 5 leagues, he has 273 appearances, has captained Stoke City, and often chips in with goals – even a stunner I’m sure you’ll remember earlier this term. The ex Leeds man has a very well rounded game, but there may be doubts on his reliability, as Alex Neil did strip him of his captaincy not too long ago, as well as several injury issues which have cut his time at clubs short in the past. However as the Potters enter a new era, Baker has become a starter under Mark Robins. Although false hope has started and ended many times for Stoke during their prolonged EFL stay, this could be a real turning point for them. With many new and young faces imminent at the Staffordshire side, Baker may be of use beyond his on field talent, some leadership and experience may be a pivotal part of Stokes transition from old to new – bidding to see the days of relegation scraps and mid table boredom as a thing of the past. But Lewis Baker, like previously stated, isn’t a stranger to a transfer.
3 Potential Clubs : Middlesbrough, Blackburn, Birmingham
EFL Free Agents – Josh Da Silva
In the most consistent period of his career, the Brentford man was playing in the Championship. He shone, particularly 19/20, with 10 goals in 42 matches, and was crucial the next season, when the Bees got promoted. However since, injuries have limited him, making a move back to EFL football very likely. His talent is undeniable. With attributes from pace, power, skills, goals, passing all on his profile, a gamble would be worth the risk for a championship side. Without injuries, he did begin to adapt to top tier football, so that step up may help him when dropping back down, and relight a fire to add another promotion to his CV. With versatility at AM, CM, or out wide adding to the positives Da Silva possesses, he will be under high speculation as a free agent. If I were pitching him, I’d say keep him fit and he’ll fire you to promotion.
3 Potential Clubs : Ipswich, QPR, West Brom
EFL Free Agents – Cameron Burgess
Another Premier League player who will likely drop back down to the Championship is Ipswich centre half Burgess. The Ozzie has played in the top 5 english tiers, so has the know on the English game. A full international, 11 EPL matches and 39 games in last years promotion campaign will make him a hot prospect in the summer. Despite his only championship experience coming last season, he did cement his role as the Tractor Boys starting CB for the season, achieving one of the most impressive EFL feats lately. A mix of Ipswich’s bad form and high competition has meant he has failed to nail a spot in McKenna’s side for the 4th season running, but the blues do look likely to drop again. If they do drop, Ipswich may rely on the old boys who got them promoted originally – but with a large number of new signings like Greaves and O’Shea, if the rivals at the heart of the defence remain, it may remain hard for Burgess to regain a place in the Town XI, meaning his services could be more of use elsewhere. I would say he is a very good option for the very top of the EFL standard.
3 Potential Clubs : Southampton, Burnley, Leeds
EFL Free Agents – Tyrhys Dolan
The 23 year old Blackburn Rovers man offers pace and skills out wide, and of course his contract expires soon. He has never played below the second tier (in England), and has been a Rovers regular since 2020. He broke through as an 18 year old, and his talent has helped him hold down a place amongst a constantly changing second tier team. He is consistent across seasons, which could be seen as a positive or negative, but his 4 goals and 5 assists this term, proves his ability while also showcasing the room and potential to improve. He has operated on the right, left, and as a 9 for rovers, and versatility in a forward is something many clubs will have an eye on. He could flourish in a team with more consistency, and with a transfer value of £5m, would be a great cop for any championship side.
Potential Teams : West Brom, Sheffield United, Burnley
EFL Free Agents – Ricky Jade-Jones
Finally, another Posh player, in their No 9. RJJ is only 22, but has gathered 21 goals in 150 Posh games. Pace is the main attribute to Jade-Jones’ game, he has been recorded as the worlds fastest player, his max speed sprint is 37.6km per hour making him the fastest player in the world, in comparison to Kylian Mbappe (36km/h), Micky van de Ven (35.9km/h) and Erling Haaland (35.7km/h). He hasn’t been overly prolific for Posh, but is having the best goal scoring season of his career this term, with 14 goals in all comps, since the departure of long time Posh servant Jonson Clarke-Harris. The battle of the double barrelled name. Posh overall has been a good development club for many players recently, such as full internationals Ivan Toney and Sammie Szmodics, which may be a persuaded for both parties for RJJ remaining at United.
3 Potential Clubs : Huddersfield, Bolton, Rotherham
