John Stones wakes up unemployed mid-World Cup and he’s not the only free agent
It’s July 1 and that only means one thing – new free agents!
Contracts have now reached their expiry dates and players are set to begin their summer of searching for a new club.
For some, they will be straight into talking to potential suitors as they hope to find a fresh home ready for pre-season.
However, there are also many who are going to have to wait until their World Cup commitments come to an end.
Whose contracts have expired?
John Stones is one of those players, whose ten years at Manchester City are now over.
He signed off with an FA Cup win and is one of the biggest names at the World Cup who is now a free agent.
Stones was emotional as he said goodbye to fans, crying on the pitch after his 294th and final game.
Since leaving Everton in a £47.5m 2016 move, he won 17 major titles at the club, including six Premier Leagues and the Champions League, starring at centre-back.
The 31-year-old is part of Thomas Tuchel‘s England squad in North America, starting their tournament opener.
There have not been many rumours regarding his next club, but Bayern Munich, Everton and AC Milan were tipped last month.
Stones, though, is not the only high profile player moving on.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
As well as Stones, one of the biggest stars to become a free agent is Mohamed Salah, who departed Liverpool after nine years.
Salah broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to Anfield after a trophy-laden, record-breaking spell at the club.
He revealed that he would be leaving in March when he released an emotional statement to confirm his decision.
The Egyptian opted not to continue the rest of his contract and an agreement was reached to release him early.
MLS sides have been linked to Salah, along with Saudi Arabian clubs, as they look to sign the superstar forward.
But it remains unclear where he will end up on a free.
Casemiro (Brazil)
Casemiro is another star that is now available on a free after his contract at Man United expired at the end of June.
The midfielder, who is representing Brazil at the World Cup, played 160 games for the Red Devils during his spell at the club.
But after departing, a move to the MLS looks likely, with a link-up with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami his most likely destination.
Luka Modric (Croatia)
As things stand, Croatian icon Luka Modric will also be a free agent this summer, having been one last year, too.
Modric departed Real Madrid to join AC Milan for free in 2025, but the 40-year-old only signed a one-year contract in Italy, going on to play 34 times in Serie A for the giants.
He has an option in his deal to extend for another year, however, there has been no news of that being triggered yet.
Leon Goretzka (Germany)
Bayern Munich confirmed at the start of 2026 that Leon Goretzka would be leaving the club after eight years this summer.
The German midfielder, who was just knocked out of the World Cup, will now have to begin his search for a new side.
He won seven Bundesliga titles and the Champions League with Bayern and now reportedly wants to stay in Europe next term.
Daichi Kamada (Japan)
Daichi Kamada departs Crystal Palace along with their manager Oliver Glasner, after spending the last two years in London.
But the Japan international has been reported to be in talks over potentially signing a new deal with the Eagles this summer.
He has reported interest from Italy, but his future remains up in the air as his contract has now officially expired.
Thomas Partey (Ghana)
Another player who is now a free agent is Thomas Partey, after Villarreall opted against renewing his deal.
Partey, whose charges of rape and sexual assualt, which he denies, led to him being blocked from entering Canada at the World Cup, is now on the lookout for a new club.
The former Arsenal man played 25 times in La Liga last season.
Franck Kessie (Ivory Coast)
Franck Kessie could be a player that attracts interest from clubs in Europe as he has left Al-Ahli on a free.
The Ivorian midfielder’s contract has expired after spending the last three years in Saudi Arabia, playing 119 games.
After playing for Barcelona and AC Milan in the past, he will hope to return to a big club, having been linked to Juventus.
Other World Cup stars without a club
On top of the huge names mentioned, there are also a large amount of other World Cup players waking up without a team.
Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn is a now free, along with David Alaba, Thomas Meunier, James Rodriguez and more.
- Abdul Mumin (Ghana)
- Angus Gunn (Scotland)
- Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo)
- Bamba Dieng (Senegal)
- Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo)
- David Alaba (Austria)
- Fabinho (Brazil)
- Gideon Mensah (Ghana)
- James Rodriguez (Colombia)
- Kaku (Paraguay)
- Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria)
- Orjan Nyland (Norway)
- Salih Ozcan (Turkey)
- Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan)
- Thomas Meunier (Belgium)
- Xaver Schlager (Austria)
- Zeki Celik (Turkey)
Many more star free agents
Away from the World Cup, there are plenty of other big names who have become available to sign for free.
Jadon Sancho has been released by Man United, while Yves Bissouma has left Tottenham and Dani Carvajal has departed Real.
- Jadon Sancho
- Yves Bissouma
- Dani Carvajal
- Dusan Vlahovic
- Julian Brandt
- Lorenzo Pellegrini
- Raphael Guerreiro
- Andreas Christensen
- Oscar Mingueza
- Allan Saint-Maximin
- Marcelo Brozovic
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