The PFA's pre-season camp for out-of-contract players has expanded to 12 weeks at Champneys Springs in Leicestershire, adding WSL and WSL2 participants for the first time. Sky Sports profiled six attendees, headlined by Fernando Forestieri, 36, who scored 50 goals with 25 assists across 72 appearances and 10 trophies for Johor Darul Ta'zim in Malaysia. Forestieri wants an English return before his wife gives birth in August and targets two more playing years while completing coaching badges.

Jonny Williams, released by Gillingham after three seasons, faces free agency for the first time since childhood. The former Wales international cites Palace veterans like Mile Jedinak and Julian Speroni as leadership models he now aims to emulate. Will Keane, let go by Preston after a loan spell at Reading stalled through injury niggles, seeks a Championship return at 31.

Kyle Vassell cut short a USL Championship stint with Colorado Springs Switchbacks — just 10 games, last played November 2025 — calling it his lone career regret. At 33, he targets an EFL return and another promotion after Cheltenham success in 2021-22. The camp's structure — professional environment, peer support, showcase matches — gives these veterans measurable fitness data clubs can trust, replacing the guesswork that often sidelines experienced free agents.