Loans in EA FC 26 Career Mode are a useful pressure valve when transfer funds are tight or a selling club refuses to negotiate. The trick is aiming at players who aren’t locked-in starters at elite clubs, alongside young talent that big teams are willing to develop elsewhere for a season. Below is a grounded shortlist of impact options and prospects, built from players repeatedly flagged as realistic loan targets in this cycle.

Best loan players for immediate impact (short-term starters)

These players can slot straight into most XIs. They’re established names or high-level rotation pieces at top clubs — the exact profile most likely to be available on a temporary deal if you table a sensible loan fee and cover wages.

Player Pos Club OVR Profile fit
David Alaba (33) CB Real Madrid 82 Experienced organizer, ball-playing left CB
Filip Kostic (31) LM Juventus 81 Wing service specialist, crosses and work rate
Andreas Christensen (29) CB Barcelona 80 Reliable defensive anchor for a high line
Ousmane Diomande (21) CB Sporting CP 80 Athletic stopper with elite upside
Goncalo Ramos (24) ST PSG 80 True No. 9, holds up play and finishes
Gabriel Jesus (28) ST Arsenal 80 Mobile forward for pressing systems
Raheem Sterling (30) LW Chelsea 78 Wide runner who adds direct chance creation
Axel Disasi (27) CB Chelsea 77 Physical presence for crowded fixtures
Rico Lewis (20) RB Manchester City 77 Modern full-back, comfortable inverted
Andrey Santos (21) CM Chelsea 80 Box-to-box energy and ball-winning

Tip: for top-of-list names, avoid lowballing the loan fee and be prepared to pay the bulk of wages — it meaningfully improves your odds of closing the deal.

Best loan players to develop (high potential, realistic targets)

These are younger players whose clubs are more open to temporary moves. They’ll contribute immediately for mid-table sides and can level up with minutes, making them strong loan-to-develop candidates.

Player Pos Club OVR Ideal use
Arda Güler (20) RW/CAM Real Madrid 81 Creative hub; give starts to unlock growth
Kobbie Mainoo (20) CDM/CM Manchester United 77 Deep playmaker; rotation to starter by winter
Jorrel Hato (19) CB/LB Chelsea 78 Left CB/LB hybrid; accelerates with minutes
Luka Vuskovic (18) CB/RB Hamburger SV 72 CB project; steady gains with starts
Tygo Land (18) CM FC Groningen 68 Lower-league creator; long runway to improve
Endrick (19) ST Real Madrid 77 High-ceiling striker; early sub, then starter
Ethan Nwaneri (18) RW/RM Arsenal 76 Right-sided chance creator; 20–30 apps sweet spot
Archie Gray (19) CDM Tottenham Hotspur 75 Versatile pivot; CDM first-team minutes matter
Josh Achempong (19) CB Chelsea 70 Depth CB who develops quickly with starts

Note: availability can vary save-to-save. If a target isn’t loan-listed, try a direct loan approach; if they’ve just moved clubs, a loan or loan-to-buy attempt in season one is often the only route.

Position-by-position quick picks (loans)

  • CB: David Alaba, Ousmane Diomande, Jorrel Hato
  • FB/WB: Rico Lewis
  • CDM/CM: Andrey Santos, Kobbie Mainoo, Archie Gray
  • Wide forwards: Raheem Sterling, Filip Kostic, Ethan Nwaneri
  • ST: Gabriel Jesus, Goncalo Ramos, Endrick

How to land the loan — and keep it

  • Target the right profile: players who are not nailed-on starters at their clubs, or wonderkids a few years from peak, are consistently more obtainable on loan.
  • Structure the offer sensibly: don’t underbid the loan fee and be willing to shoulder most of the wages. This significantly improves acceptance rates for top targets.
  • Manage minutes: community experience suggests parent clubs are more likely to recall loanees if they aren’t playing enough. Set expectations internally to give them meaningful appearances, especially in the first half of the season.
  • Plan season one “loan-to-develop” moves: many elite prospects who just transferred will be difficult to buy outright — a loan or loan-to-buy approach early is the practical path while they grow.

Often available as loans early in the cycle

These names surface repeatedly as realistic to approach in season one for a straight loan or a loan-to-buy structure:

  • Arda Güler (Real Madrid, RW/CAM, 81 OVR)
  • Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United, CDM/CM, 77 OVR)
  • Jorrel Hato (Chelsea, CB/LB, 78 OVR)
  • Luka Vuskovic (Hamburger SV, CB/RB, 72 OVR)
  • Tygo Land (FC Groningen, CM, 68 OVR)

What this gets you

Used well, the loan market lets you solve immediate depth problems and audition future signings without committing long-term budget. Aim high for short-term starters if you’re pushing for Europe; aim young if you need to stretch a budget and raise the ceiling of your squad. Either way, be decisive with fees and generous on wages, and give the player a clear pathway to minutes — that’s the consistent recipe for getting loans over the line in FC 26.