We’re well into 2026 and EAFC 26 is still going strong.
Ultimate Team may be the main focus of the game, but Career Mode has a special place in our hearts. That’s because you can start whenever you want, as many times as you want.
No matter who you’re managing the premise and aim of Manager Career — as it’s now called — remains the same. Winning the league and continental trophies, no matter where you start or who you manage.
We’ve covered centre-backs, strikers, wingers, goalkeepers, CDMs and CAMs you need to sign in Manager Career, and now it’s time to move onto the full-backs. The role of a full-back has changed in recent years, and it’s been reflected on EAFC. You can have your full-backs run the flanks or even invert to sit just in front of your defence.
The question is, who do you go for on EAFC 26? We’ve taken a look at some of the top full-backs available to buy in your first window, across an array of transfer fees to make your job a tad easier.
We’re just looking at players available in the first window of Men’s Career Mode here, with finances in Women’s Career Mode much different.
Values and presence of release clauses may vary per save, while availability may vary depending on strictness of transfers.
Jump to:
EAFC 26 best full-backs to sign on Career Mode – Under £5m
Semm Renders (Royal Antwerp)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 62
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 84
- Value: £1m
We start our journey in Belgium with Semm Renders. The right-back has an initial Overall of 62 which can do a job for those lower down the footballing pyramid. Renders has decent Defending at 57, which includes 60 Stand Tackle, 60 Interceptions and 58 Defensive Awareness. At the other side of his game, Renders also boasts 58 Crossing and 64 Dribbling, so the Belgian can already influence your attack. His Pace of 73 will be useful too.
Renders has the potential to grow to 84 Overall, which makes him a decent starting full-back option. But Renders’ contract is up at the end of the first season, with Royal Antwerp will accept around £700k for him — lower than his value.
Colby Donovan (Celtic)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 66
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 85
- Value: £1.8m
Another cheap option here for managers willing to play the long game. Colby Donovan is an 18-year-old right-back currently playing for Celtic. The Scot has a lowly starting Overall of 66, but what did you expect in this section? He’ll certainly make his mark lower down the system. He’s pretty decent across the board for his level, with 69 Physical and 63 Dribbling the standout attributes outside of his 72 Pace.
Donovan has the potential to grow to 85 Overall, which is pretty good considering his starting point. And, despite the big boost, Celtic will accept around £1.5m with a sell-on clause for the right-back.
Elias Baum (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 72
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 84
- Value: £4.6m
We end the cheapest options with Elias Baum. The 20-year-old plies his trade with Eintracht Frankfurt and has an initial Overall of 72, again being a decent right-back. Baum is an interesting little player, with good Pace (75) and Physical (71). His Physical includes 91 Stamina, so Baum will run up and down the flank for the entire 90 minutes. Baum boasts 66 Defending and 70 Crossing, so he can do it at both ends of the pitch too.
Baum also has the potential to grow to 84 Overall, joining that group of decent right-backs. The German comes with a value of £4.6m, but Eintracht will accept around £4.3m if you want to avoid a sell-on clause.
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EAFC 26 best full-backs to sign on Career Mode – £5m – £20m
Joaquin Seys (Club Brugge)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 74
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 87
- Value: £8.5m
Our first left-back option, Joaquin Seys can actually play both sides for Club Brugge. But we prefer him as a left-footed left-back. He comes with an initial Overall of 74, which isn’t the worst even if there will be better starting left-backs. His Defending isn’t too bad at 67, including 72 Slide Tackle and 71 Stand Tackle. But Seys is definitely a left-back who thrives in going forward, with 75 Crossing and 75 Short Passing. He also boasts a very nice 81 Pace.
The real selling point for Sels is his potential to grow to 87 Overall. Despite the possibility of becoming one of the best in the game in his position, Club Brugge will accept around £8.7m with a sell-on clause.
Martim Fernandes (Porto)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 76
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 86
- Value: £13.5m
Another right-back — we promise, there will be left-backs soon. Martim Fernandes comes with an initial Overall of 76, so he can immediately fit into a lot of teams. His Pace stands out at 81, but he’s not just a speed merchant. Fernandes also boasts 71 Defending and 70 Passing, so he can do a job at both ends of the pitch. Those attributes include 75 Crossing and 74 Stand Tackle, alongside 75 Short Passing.
We’re moving slightly up the potential Overalls here, with Fernandes having the capability to grow to 86. And it represents a steeper increase in price too, with Porto wanting around £15.5m.
Givairo Read (Feyenoord)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 76
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 89
- Value: £14.5m
Givairo Read is a name you’ll want to remember. The Dutchman is one of Manager Career’s top wonderkids, with an initial Overall of 76 at the age of just 19. He boasts four attributes over 70, including 75 Physical. And it’s a good balance too, especially for his rating. His Defending is 70, and that’s only let down by his Heading Accuracy. The teenager holds 74s in both Stand and Slide Tackle, so he’s tough to beat. Read also has 72 Short Passing and 76 Crossing, and can hold his own at the other end of the pitch.
As mentioned, Read is one of the best wonderkids, owing to his potential to grow to 89 Overall. There isn’t a better wonderkid at right-back. So it’s worth signing Read if you can afford him. Despite the potential, Feyenoord will accept around £18m which is still an absolute steal.
EAFC 26 best full-backs to sign on Career Mode – £20m and above
Conor Bradley (Liverpool)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 79
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 84
- Value: £21.5m
We’ll be honest, there are better options here — for cheaper. But if you’re struggling, Conor Bradley can do a job. The Northern Irishman has a starting Overall of 79 so can fit into a lot of teams. Outside of his 82 Pace, Bradley’s highest attribute is his 75 Defending. Which we love to see. That includes 78 Stand Tackle, which goes well with 76 Defensive Awareness. But he also boasts 74 Dribbling and Physical.
Now, the downside to Bradley is that he only rises to 84 Overall. But that can still be good enough on your journey. Liverpool rate him highly too, accepting around £24.2m for their right-back.
Jorrel Hato (Chelsea)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 78
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 87
- Value: £25m
Moving onto another wonderkid, this time at left-back. Jorrel Hato has an initial Overall of 78, plying his trade with Chelsea — having just moved from Ajax. Given his ability to also play at centre-back, Hato boasts 74 Defending, which includes 77 Interceptions and 77 Stand Tackle. He’s also decent on the ball, with 76 Agility and 78 Composure. Now, Hato’s initial Passing of 69 is slightly let down by his Free-Kick Accuracy, and his Crossing of 66 doesn’t stand out for someone of his rating. But you can improve on his Crossing, while his 79 Short Passing is very nice. Not to mention 85 Pace.
Hato has the potential to grow to 87 Overall, becoming the second-best left-back in the game. But the best of the wonderkids in that position. And Chelsea know this, wanting around £30m for the teenager if you include a sell-on clause.
Alvaro Carreras (Real Madrid)
- Initial EAFC 26 overall: 81
- Potential EAFC 26 overall: 88
- Value: £43m
If you want someone a bit more ready made, still with a lot of potential, then Alvaro Carreras could be your man. The Real Madrid left-back comes with an initial Overall of 81, so will fit into a lot of teams — whatever you’re level. Even if you’re managing the best, you can deal with Carreras’ initial abilities. The Spaniard boasts 80 Physical and Dribbling, which includes 89 Stamina and 82 Ball Control, which is always very nice. Even though his Defending is slightly lower at 75, it’s enough to build on. The same goes for his 76 Passing. Carreras is another quick left-back too, with 85 Pace.
Carreras has the potential to grow to 88 Overall, again becoming one of the best left-backs in Manager Career. But Real Madrid won’t let go of him easily. It will take around £57m to persuade Los Blancos to potentially let go of their future.