FIFA 21 Career Mode: Best Championship Contract Expiry Signings Ending in 2021 (First Season)

If you’re looking to save some money while bolstering your Championship team, look to these pre-contract signings in the summer of 2021.

The Championship is one of the toughest divisions in club football, with the disparity between the second-tier and the Premier League epitomising the need to build a team worthy of promotion.

Money is often tight, even at recently relegated outfits, so getting the best contract expiry signings from within the Championship can prove to be the makings of a promotion-winning campaign.

In FIFA 21, your first crack at making some pre-contract signings in the Championship will come during the 2020/21 season, with them being completed in the summer of 2021.

If you fail to earn promotion at the first time of asking, you can see your team sharply bolstered by a wave of top new players, and all without the cost of a transfer fee.

Here, we’ll be going through the best Championship players currently primed to become eligible pre-contract signings. At the foot of the article, you can find all of the potential contract expiry signings from the second-tier of English football in 2021.

To find out how to make contract expiry signings in FIFA 21, consult our pre-contract signings guide.

FIFA 21’s best Championship pre-contract signings

FIFA 21 doesn’t launch until 6 October, but as the in-game contracts are drawn from those in real-life, we can see which Championship players are set to be in the game on deals that run out in 2021.

As it stands, these players are all still in the Championship and on contracts that will expire next summer. However, a new deal could see them become unavailable as a pre-contract signing on 1 January 2021 in FIFA 21.

Wayne Rooney, Derby County (CM, CAM, ST)

Former cover star of the FIFA game franchise, Wayne Rooney is still available in FIFA 21 as a highly-rated Championship player.

In FIFA 20, Rooney boasted an 80 overall rating, £8.1 million value, and some very usable ratings, including 83 long passing, 82 vision, 88 composure, 81 penalties, 80 long shots, and 84 shot power.

The record Manchester United goalscorer has, however, seen his movement ratings drop in recent editions of FIFA, with the last game giving the now-34-year-old a 58 for acceleration, 61 for agility, and 59 for sprint speed.

Having started to play for Derby County in January last season, Rooney was immediately rewarded with the captaincy, featured predominantly in attacking midfield, and racked up six goals and three assists in 24 games.

If Rooney’s open to a contract expiry signing in January on FIFA 21, which will depend on whether or not the Englishman opts to retire, he’d be a valuable addition to any Championship team looking to boost their promotion hopes.

Christian Kabasele, Watford FC (CB)

At 28-years-old with a 78 overall rating and 79 potential rating, Christian Kabasele was a decent squad rotation centre-back for a bottom-half Premier League club in FIFA 20.

In FIFA 21, Kabasele will be in the Championship with the now-relegated Watford, and while the Belgian’s overall rating will likely take a hit, he’ll still be a top choice in the second-tier.

For Watford last season, Kabasele secured himself a starting role, playing in 31 games across all competitions and teeing-up two goals in the Premier League.

Assuming that drastic ratings changes don’t occur, the medium-high work rate, 83 jumping, 80 strength, 80 sliding tackle, 77 standing tackle, 76 interceptions, and 78 defensive awareness of Kabasele will prove to be valuable assets if you make the centre-back a contract expiry signing.

Joshua King, AFC Bournemouth (LM, CF, ST)

Another strong player coming down to the Championship via relegation, it wasn’t long ago that Manchester United sought to bring back their former trainee, Joshua King.

It was all about pace for the Norwegian in FIFA 20, with King boasting an 85 for acceleration, 74 for agility, 79 for ball control, 80 for dribbling, and a mighty 90 for sprint speed.

King, hampered by injuries and a struggling team, still managed to score six goals and four assists in the top-flight last season, and will undoubtedly be leaned on by the Cherries as they fight to climb back up – provided he remains a Bournemouth player.

With his speed and decent shooting attributes, the now-28-year-old could prove to be one of the most potent attackers in the Championship in FIFA 21, and so, will be a prime target for any manager aiming to make pre-contract signings.

Bradley Dack, Blackburn Rovers (CAM, ST)

Still only 26-years-old, Bradley Dack was Blackburn Rovers’ highest-rated player in FIFA 20 at 75 OVR, with room to grow into a potential rating of 77.

In-game, Dack’s 81 balance, 81 agility, 80 aggression, 79 positioning, 77 strength, and 77 composure are the attacking midfielder’s best assets.

The Blackburn star has been one of the most impressive Championship players over the last few seasons. In 2017/18, he scored 18 goals and nine assists in 42 league games, following up with 18 goals and ten assists through the 2018/19 campaign.

Last season, however, Dack was cut down by the much-feared anterior cruciate ligament injury in December. In the 24 games before the injury, the English attacker racked-up a tidy ten goals and three assists.

Should Dack remain a potential contract expiry signing in January 2021 of FIFA 21, consider him a worthy addition for promotion and potentially in the Premier League.

Jack Butland, Stoke City (GK)

Having pulled on the mitts for the GB Olympic Team at London 2012, Jack Butland has long been tipped as England’s next number-one in net.

However, with injury setbacks and a relatively low club affiliation, the nine-cap goalkeeper finds himself in the Championship.

Butland boasted a 75 overall rating by the end of the last game, with a 79 potential rating, enabling the 6’5’’ goalie to stand as one of the best in the Championship.

The go-to starter for Stoke City, Butland kept nine clean sheets in the league, and the 27-year-old donned the captain’s armband in several matches.

He may not be in the England conversation right now, but Butland is a top choice as a contract expiry signing. If you have the option to make him a pre-contract offer in FIFA 21, leap at the opportunity.

All potential FIFA 21 Championship contract expiry signings in the first season

Below, you can see a table of all of the potential Championship pre-contract signings in FIFA 21 Career Mode. Listed by their current club, you’ll find their current age and their wages in the last game for reference.

Name Club Age Position Wage
Troy Deeney Watford FC 32 ST £59,000
Kiko Femenía Watford FC 29 RB £48,000
Christian Kabasele Watford FC 29 CB £55,000
Roberto Pereyra Watford FC 29 LM £56,000
Dan Gosling AFC Bournemouth 30 CM £46,000
Harry Arter AFC Bournemouth 30 CDM, CM £29,000
Adam Smith AFC Bournemouth 29 RB, LB £46,000
Junior Stanislas AFC Bournemouth 30 LM, RM, LW £42,000
Steve Cook AFC Bournemouth 29 CB £51,000
Joshua King AFC Bournemouth 28 LM, CF, ST £62,000
Alexander Tettey Norwich City 34 CDM £23,000
Michael McGovern Norwich City 36 GK £10,000
Kenny McLean Norwich City 28 CDM, CAM £32,000
Mario Vrancic Norwich City 31 CDM, CM, CAM £32,000
Ryan Shawcross Stoke City 32 CB £20,000
James Chester Stoke City 31 CB £25,000
Benik Afobe Stoke City 27 ST £26,000
Jack Butland Stoke City 27 GK £22,000
Jordan Cousins Stoke City 26 CDM, CM £8,000
Nick Powell Stoke City 26 CAM £21,000
Lee Gregory Stoke City 32 ST £15,000
Luke Daniels Brentford FC 32 GK £9,000
Henrik Dalsgaard Brentford FC 31 RB, RWB, CB £26,000
Emiliano Marcondes Brentford FC 25 CAM, LW, ST £13,000
Richard Stearman Huddersfield Town 33 CB £13,000
Tommy Elphick Huddersfield Town 32 CB £15,000
Frazier Campbell Huddersfield Town 32 ST £15,000
Christopher Schindler Huddersfield Town 30 CB £24,000
Jonathan Hogg Huddersfield Town 31 CDM, CM £23,000
Ben Hamer Huddersfield Town 32 GK £7,000
Alex Pritchard Huddersfield Town 27 CAM, LM £22,000
Steve Mounié Huddersfield Town 25 ST £18,000
Florent Hadergjonaj Huddersfield Town 26 RB, RWB, LB £6,000
Isaac Mbenza Huddersfield Town 24 RM, LM, ST £9,000
Adama Diakhaby Huddersfield Town 24 RW, LW £20,000
Costel Pantilimon Nottingham Forest 33 GK £18,000
Albert Adomah Nottingham Forest 32 RM, LM, RW £16,000
Samba Sow Nottingham Forest 31 CDM, CM £30,000
Michael Hefele Nottingham Forest 29 CB £17,000
Tendayi Darikwa Nottingham Forest 28 RB £22,000
Zach Clough Nottingham Forest 25 CAM, LM, ST £9,000
Nathan Baker Bristol City 29 CB £26,000
Rene Gilmartin Bristol City 33 GK £4,000
Tommy Rowe Bristol City 31 LB, LWB, CM £16,000
Jack Hunt Bristol City 29 RB, RWB £20,000
Jamie Paterson Bristol City 28 LM, CM, CAM £21,000
Famara Diédhiou Bristol City 27 ST £29,000
Niclas Eliasson Bristol City 24 LM, RM £23,000
Hakeeb Adelakun Bristol City 24 LM, RM, CAM £3,000
Sol Bamba Cardiff City 35 CB £21,000
Junior Hoilett Cardiff City 30 LM £19,000
Neil Etheridge Cardiff City 30 GK £16,000
Joe Bennett Cardiff City 30 LB £18,000
Joe Day Cardiff City 30 GK £2,000
Greg Cunningham Cardiff City 29 LB £18,000
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing Cardiff City 28 RM, RW £16,000
Curtis Nelson Cardiff City 27 CB £9,000
Wayne Routledge Swansea City 35 LM, RM £12,000
André Ayew Swansea City 30 RM, LM, ST £27,000
Jay Fulton Swansea City 26 CDM, CM £14,000
Barrie McKay Swansea City 25 LM, RM, LW £5,000
Declan John Swansea City 25 LB £5,000
Wayne Rooney Derby County 34 CM, CAM, ST £35,000
Curtis Davies Derby County 35 CB £17,000
Martyn Waghorn Derby County 30 RM, LM, ST £18,000
Florian Jozefzoon Derby County 29 RM, LM £13,000
Andre Wisdom Derby County 27 RB, CB £13,000
Duane Holmes Derby County 25 CM, CAM, RM £14,000
Jack Marriott Derby County 25 ST £14,000
Jonathan Howson Middlesbrough FC 32 RWB, CB, CM £18,000
Tomás Mejías Middlesbrough FC 31 GK £5,000
Britt Assombalonga Middlesbrough FC 27 ST £21,000
Marvin Johnson Middlesbrough FC 29 LB, LWB, LW £10,000
Ashley Fletcher Middlesbrough FC 24 LW, ST £16,000
Sone Aluko Reading FC 31 RM, RW £7,000
Michael Morrison Reading FC 32 CB £12,000
Sam Baldock Reading FC 31 ST £8,000
Sam Walker Reading FC 28 GK £4,000
Maikel Kieftenbeld Birmingham City 30 CDM, CM £6,000
Josh McEachran Birmingham City 27 CDM, CM £5,000
David Davis Birmingham City 29 CDM, CM £8,000
Jon Toral Birmingham City 25 CM, RM, CAM £5,000
Iván Guzmán Birmingham City 29 RW Unknown
Agus Medina Birmingham City 25 RB £3,000
Josh Cogley Birmingham City 24 RB, CB £2,000
Paul Gallagher Preston North End 36 CDM, CM £16,000
Paul Huntington Preston North End 32 CB £9,000
Louis Moult Preston North End 28 ST £11,000
Billy Bodin Preston North End 28 RM, RW £12,000
Daniel Johnson Preston North End 27 CDM, CAM £23,000
Ben Pearson Preston North End 25 CDM £19,000
Andrew Hughes Preston North End 28 LB £15,000
Darnell Fisher Preston North End 26 RB £14,000
Ben Davies Preston North End 25 CB £16,000
Alan Browne Preston North End 25 CDM, CAM £18,000
Charlie Mulgrew Blackburn Rovers 34 CB £9,000
Elliott Bennett Blackburn Rovers 31 RB, LB, RM £9,000
Bradley Johnson Blackburn Rovers 33 CDM, CM £9,000
Lewis Holtby Blackburn Rovers 29 CM, RM, CAM £18,000
Corry Evans Blackburn Rovers 30 CDM £6,000
Derrick Williams Blackburn Rovers 27 LB, CB £10,000
Joe Rothwell Blackburn Rovers 25 LM, RM, CAM £7,000
Bradley Dack Blackburn Rovers 26 CAM, ST £19,000
Bartosz Bialkowski Millwall FC 33 GK £8,000
Frank Fielding Millwall FC 32 GK £5,000
Shaun Williams Millwall FC 33 CDM, CM £7,000
Shane Ferguson Millwall FC 29 LM £5,000
Matt Smith Millwall FC 31 ST £7,000
Tom Bradshaw Millwall FC 28 ST £9,000
Jiri Skalák Millwall FC 28 LM, RM £5,000
Mahlon Romeo Millwall FC 24 RB £6,000
Ben Thompson Millwall FC 24 CM, CAM, CF £6,000
Keiren Westwood Sheffield Wednesday 35 GK £15,000
Jordan Rhodes Sheffield Wednesday 30 ST £16,000
Barry Bannan Sheffield Wednesday 30 CDM, CM £24,000
Tom Lees Sheffield Wednesday 29 CB £16,000
Kadeem Harris Sheffield Wednesday 27 LM, LW, RW £18,000
Adam Reach Sheffield Wednesday 27 CM, RM, RW £20,000
Moses Odubajo Sheffield Wednesday 27 RB, LB £9,000
Joey Pelupessy Sheffield Wednesday 27 CDM, CM £9,000
Joost van Aken Sheffield Wednesday 26 CB £4,000
Mike Bähre Barnsley FC 25 CM, CAM £3,000
Alex Mowatt Barnsley FC 25 CDM, CM £7,000
Geoff Cameron Queens Park Rangers 35 CB, CDM £5,000
Lee Wallace Queens Park Rangers 33 LB £4,000
Dominic Ball Queens Park Rangers 25 RB, CDM, CM £3,000
Seny Dieng Queens Park Rangers 25 GK £1,000
Dillon Barnes Queens Park Rangers 24 GK £990
Ryan Manning Queens Park Rangers 24 LB, CM £5,000
Joe Lumley Queens Park Rangers 25 GK £3,000
Kazenga LuaLua Luton Town 29 LM, LW, ST £6,000
Eunan O’Kane Luton Town 30 CDM, CM £4,000
James Collins Luton Town 29 ST £10,000
Danny Hylton Luton Town 31 ST £7,000
Ryan Tunnicliffe Luton Town 27 CDM, CM £5,000
George Moncur Luton Town 27 CM, LM, CAM £5,000
Matty Pearson Luton Town 27 CB £7,000
Luke Berry Luton Town 28 CM, CAM £6,000
Sonny Bradley Luton Town 28 CB £7,000
Dan Potts Luton Town 26 LB £4,000
Elliot Lee Luton Town 25 CAM, ST £4,000
Kyle McFadzean Coventry City 33 CB £3,000
Liam Kelly Coventry City 30 CDM, CM £4,000
Michael Rose Coventry City 24 CB £2,000
Dominic Hyam Coventry City 24 CB £2,000
Amadou Bakayoko Coventry City 24 ST £2,000
Maxime Biamou Coventry City 29 ST £3,000
Shaun MacDonald Rotherham United 32 CDM, CM £3,000
Lewis Price Rotherham United 36 GK £2,000
Billy Jones Rotherham United 33 RB £3,000
Clark Robertson Rotherham United 26 CB £4,000
Jamie Proctor Rotherham United 28 ST £5,000
Adam Thompson Rotherham United 27 CB £3,000
Kyle Vassell Rotherham United 28 ST £4,000
Adebayo Akinfenwa Wycombe Wanderers 38 ST £2,000
Darius Charles Wycombe Wanderers 32 CB £2,000
Ryan Allsop Wycombe Wanderers 28 GK £2,000
Josh Parker Wycombe Wanderers 29 ST £2,000
Curtis Thompson Wycombe Wanderers 26 CDM, CM £2,000

If you want to enhance your team for a promotion campaign at little cost to your transfer budget, be sure to snap-up the best Championship contract expiry signings in FIFA 21.


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