Gaming
Games
FIFA 17 Career Mode Free Agents XI
Low on funds? We've picked out the best free agents to sign in FIFA 17's Career Mode.
Achieving success with a cash-strapped team in FIFA 17's Career Mode is a tough challenge. With a lack of quality players at your disposal, you might need to sign up some free agents.
FIFA 17 handles free agents differently than you might expect. The game's pool of free players is vast, but Career Mode automatically assigns any player over a certain rating to a random team. As a result, you're left with a limited selection of players to choose from when you start a new game.
Until you can start signing pre-contracts for star names, you might need the services of one of the following free players to bolster your side.
Goalkeeper: Sherif Ekramy
This 33-year-old Egyptian international has had a successful career – he enjoyed a four-year spell at Feyenoord and has made a mass of appearances for Al Ahly of the Egyptian Premier League. He's also famed for being the son of the legendary Ekramy El-Shahat, often described as one of the best African keepers of all time. With a 69 overall rating, Sherif Ekramy is the best free goalkeeper we've found in Career Mode, sporting a host of great stats including 79 reflexes and 77 kicking.
Right-back: Gabriel Valverde
Gabriel Valverde is a versatile defender who can play at right-back or centre-back if required. With a 68 overall rating, he's still got room for improvement, although it's wise not to expect miracles in terms of his potential. You can benefit from his 85 stamina and he boasts a range of useful defensive stats, while his experience with the Bolivian national team proves his credentials as a worthy signing.
Alejandro Meleán is good in the air
© EA Sports
Centre-back: Alejandro Meleán
Miami-born Alejandro Meleán is yet another Bolivian international in the free agent pool. His FIFA 17 stats suggest that he's at the peak of his career, and he's only available on a free because he plays for Sport Boys Warnes in the Bolivian top-flight, which currently isn't represented in EA's game. Comfortable in defence or midfield, he's a strong talent who excels in the air, and even packs a powerful shot.
Centre-back: Ahmed Duiedar
The second Egyptian international on our list, Ahmed Duiedar won the Egyptian Premier League with Zamalek SC's in 2014-15, and has also lifted the Egypt Cup on two occasions. He's blessed with strong defensive attributes across the board, and like many of the players on our list, he has an overall rating of 69.
Left-back: Tebogo Langerman
South African international Tebogo Langerman has spent his career playing for a variety of teams in his home country. His 80 acceleration and 78 sprint speed make him a formidable threat, and he also has strong marking, ball control and dribbling skills. At 30, he's not getting any younger, but you'll get the best out of him for a few seasons yet.
Right-midfield: Annyong Quan
Who is Annyong Quan? The Chinese winger has been in FIFA 17 and FIFA 16, but we don't know anything about the player in real life. A quick Google search results in loads of FIFA links and an entry on Quan Lei, a Chinese midfielder who currently plays for Nei Mongol Zhongyou in the China League One.
Anyway, in FIFA 17, Annyong Quan is a quick winger with 84 acceleration and 81 sprint speed, and he has a 5-star skill rating!
Dean Furman was once on Chelsea's books
© EA SportsD
Centre-midfield: Dean Furman
Fans of the lower tiers of English football will know the name of Dean Furman. He plied his trade at Oldham Athletic and Doncaster Rovers in the past, but he's now playing in the South African Premier League, and that means you can get him for free in FIFA 17. He's worth it, too, as he boasts an outstanding 91 stamina rating and has a whole range of useful stats across the board. This ex-Chelsea youth player is more than capable of commanding the midfield.
Centre-midfield: Abdallah El-Said
This attacking midfielder is no stranger to fans of Egyptian football, having gained a range of caps for the national side over the years. He's also enjoyed his share of honours in club football, including two CAF Champions League victories with Al Ahly.
El-Said has a 68 overall rating in FIFA 17, but given his age, don’t expect it to rise much further. However, his skills in acceleration, ball control, shot power, and agility are worth paying a good wage for.
Left-midfield: Marcos Caicedo
Marcos Caicedo is one of the most exciting players on this list in terms of potential. Currently on loan at Barcelona Sporting Club, the 25-year-old's acceleration and sprint speed are his most noteworthy attributes, and his potential to expand beyond his current ability is worth the long-term investment. He recently scored his first goal for the Ecuador national team, too.
Juan Carlos Arce has played 50 games for Bolivia
© EA Sports
Striker: Juan Carlos Arce
There are some great strikers in Career Mode's free agent pool, but many lack a prolific finishing attribute. Juan Carlos Arce is a rare exception. The 31 year-old has over 50 caps for the Bolivian national team, and he has good stamina, pace and finishing stats.
Striker: Jiang Ning
Jiang Ning's overall rating isn't anything to shout about, but his individual attributes are worth investing in. The Chinese player isn't the best in the air, but he has great pace, dribbling and finishing stats.
Jiang has twice won the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande, and played all three games for the Chinese U-23 national team in the 2008 Summer Olympics. With plenty of goalscoring potential, Ning is a great choice to supplement your attack force.
For more gaming coverage, be sure to follow @RedBullGames on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
