The EFL summer transfer window is set to open next month with a wealth of stars available on a free transfer, according to the League One Retained List 2025.
The Deck picks out three excellent attacking players who are available following the expiration of their contracts at League One clubs.
Each of the below forwards would prove to be a shrewd pick-up for clubs in the third tier, while sides in the EFL Championship could do worse than target a couple of these stars.
The following players are entering the prime years of their careers and should have numerous clubs chasing their signature this summer.
League One Retained List 2025 – Three Standout Free Agents
Andre Green
The 26-year-old is set to leave Rotherham United after just eight starts in League One in 2024/25.
The former Aston Villa man was a promising star coming through when the Villains were in the Championship, but his career took him in a different direction, and he impressed in Slovakia, winning two league titles in as many years.
After scoring 26 goals in 81 appearances for Slovan Bratislava, the versatile attacker can be a success at the top of the third tier, but his next move could be the most important of his career.
The player scored four goals in six UEFA Conference League group stage matches in the 2021/22 season.
Green can be a goal threat as a number nine and is comfortable in the three positions behind the main forward.
Sam Dalby
The English forward had an excellent spell on loan at Scottish Premiership side Dundee United this season.
15 goals and two assists in 35 appearances in the Scottish top-flight is a remarkable return for a player who had never returned double figures in any campaign.
He ranked first among all players in the Scottish Premiership for aerial duels won per game, and there are a host of clubs that would benefit from his presence as a centre-forward.
There may be no future for Dalby at Wrexham after 25 goal involvements in 88 matches but there should be countless suitors for his services this summer.
It should be anticipated that clubs in League One or at the top of the fourth tier will be scrambling for his signature.
Dalby has indicated he may continue his stay in Scotland after helping the club to a fourth-place finish in their first campaign back in the top-flight.
Josh Koroma
Inconsistency may have dogged the left winger’s spell at Huddersfield Town, but a return of 11 goals in 37 League One outings makes him a standout transfer target for EFL clubs this summer.
The Sierra Leone international has spent most of his career playing in the Championship and may be a target for clubs in the bottom half of the table looking for an upgrade in attack on a free transfer.
Koroma has always been a major threat in attacking areas throughout his career and still can impress at the top of League One or in the Championship.
A torrid run of form for the Terriers to end the season means there will be an overhaul this summer, and it appears that the 26-year-old will be a casualty of the rebuild.
If you want to take a look at the retained list for each of the EFL divisions:
The full League One retained list can be viewed here.
The EFL Championship retained list can be viewed here with League Two also available here on The Deck.
If you are a National League follower you can find the retained list for the 2025 summer transfer window here.