Finding a top class quality goalkeeper is a tough task on FIFA 18’s Career Mode. Try looking for a slightly younger ‘keeper to save a bit on price and increase longevity. There are plenty of options around, and some of them already have a world class pedigree.
READ: FIFA 19 Career Mode: Best young goalkeepers (GK) to sign
How to choose the best young players on FIFA 18 Career Mode
We are looking at the best young goalkeepers on FIFA 18’s Career Mode. These are players who are all aged 24 and below at the start of the 2017/18 season and have a minimum overall of 74 but the potential reach at least 80. These are first team players that have the ability to become some of the best in the world. Young, high potential players do not come cheap, but their hefty prices will be worth it in the long run. Players on FIFA can also outgrow their potential, so you should be encouraged to play them regularly them.
For a full list of our best young goalkeepers please look at the bottom of this page.
Jan Oblak (OVR 88 – POT 93)
Age: 24
Club: Atletico Madrid
Country: Slovenia
Best stats: 90 GK handling, 87 GK positioning, 84 GK reflexes
Cost: £106.6 million (release clause)
Wage: £72,000
Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Jan Oblak is without a doubt the best goalkeeper under the age of 25 on FIFA 18. The Slovenian has twice won the Zamora Trophy in La Liga for the most efficient 'keeper, and he came close to Champions League success in 2016 when Atletico Madrid lost to rivals Real Madrid on penalties. Trophies are now what the 24-year-old needs to be the best in the world.
His 88 rating on FIFA 18 consists of 90 GK handling, 87 GK positioning and 84 GK reflexes, and Oblak has the potential to hit 93. His £106.6 million release clause shows how important he is to Atletico, but it also means he could be way out of your budget. He has wages of £72,000 but you will need to be a prime negotiator to be able to strike a decent deal with Atletico.
Timo Horn (OVR 84 – POT 90)
Age: 24
Club: FC Koln
Country: Germany
Best stats: 86 GK reflexes, 83 GK diving, 83 GK kicking
Cost: £51.8 million (release clause)
Wage: £35,000
Bayern Munich may be in trouble with Manuel Neuer out injured, but with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Bernd Leno, Kevin Trapp and Timo Horn ready to step in, the German national team have no such worries. FC Koln's man is yet to make his senior international football debut, with the 24-year-old having represented Germany at various age groups from U15s to the Olympic side which finished second at the 2016 Olympics.
His 90 potential shows it won’t be long before he is in the fold, with the ’keeper already playing over 160 times for his boyhood club. His 84 overall rating shows how much pedigree he has, and his rating is made up by his 86 GK reflexes, 83 GK diving and 83 GK kicking. His £51.8 million transfer price isn’t ludicrous, and his £35,000 wages should be more than affordable for you, so a move for Horn is plausible.
Ederson (OVR 83 – POT 89)
Age: 23
Club: Manchester City
Country: Brazil
Best stats: 87 GK reflexes, 86 reactions, 82 GK kicking
Cost: £46.9 million (release clause)
Wage: £76,000
One of the best signings of the Premier League so far, Manchester City stopper Ederson looks assured on the big stage. The 23-year-old was brought in for his comfortableness with the ball at his feet, but the Brazilian also does the business with his hands, keeping four clean sheets so far this season.
The £35 million signing will set you back a bit more on FIFA 18’s Career Mode at £46.9 million. His wages of £76,000 a week are pricey, but considering his age and potential it's worth it. 86 GK reflexes, 86 reactions and 82 GK kicking help make up the former Benfica man’s 83 rating.
Mattia Perin (OVR 83 – POT 88)
Age: 24
Club: Genoa
Country: Italy
Best stats: 90 GK reflexes, 85 GK handling, 80 GK diving
Cost: £39.1 million (release clause)
Wage: £24,000
Being Italy’s back-up to Gianluigi Buffon can’t be fun, but Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin has done all he can to push the veteran close. Three seasons as the undisputed number one at Genoa has helped the 24-year-old become one of the best goalies in Serie A, but you sense Perin wants more.
Capped only once by his country, Perin has an 83 overall rating with the potential to hit 88. For £39.1 million and £24,000 a week wages you will get a man with 90 rated GK reflexes, 85 GK handling and 80 GK diving.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (OVR 82 – POT 94)
Age: 18
Club: AC Milan
Country: Italy
Best stats: 88 GK reflexes, 88 GK diving, 78 GK positioning
Cost: £47.7 million (release clause)
Wage: £31,000
Speaking of Italian goalkeepers, you cannot leave Gianluigi Donnarumma out of the picture. The 18-year-old has been the most consistent teenager in the world over the past two seasons, attracting serious interest from Real Madrid. The Rossoneri man looks destined to take over from namesake Gianluigi Buffon after the 2018 World Cup in Russia and then create his own legacy.
This may sound crazy, but £47.7 million is a bargain for a player who could become the best in the world. His 94 potential puts him on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo, and with an 82 overall starting rating, you could do a lot worse with your money. His wages of £31,000 a week are on the more affordable side too, and with his 88 GK reflexes, 88 GK diving and 78 GK positioning you should jump at the chance to snap him up.
Sergio Rico (OVR 82 – POT 87)
Age: 23
Club: Sevilla
Country: Spain
Best stats: 83 GK reflexes, 82 GK positioning, 80 GK handling
Cost: £41.2 million (release clause)
Wage: £14,000
One of the lesser-known names on this list, but Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico is still immensely talented. The 23-year-old took over the reins from Beto in 2014 and matched his predecessor’s achievement by winning back-to-back Europa League titles.
The Spaniard has an 82 overall rating with a top class potential of 87. With 83-rated GK reflexes, 82 GK positioning and 80 GK handling he is a tempting purchase, with his £41.2 million release clause balanced out by his £14,000 a week wages.
Jack Butland (OVR 81 – POT 87)
Age: 24
Club: Stoke City
Country: England
Best stats: 85 GK reflexes, 83 GK handling, 81 GK diving
Cost: £33.3 million (release clause)
Wage: £44,000
Everyone knows Jack Butland has the potential to be a top 'keeper, but when will he be ready to make the crucial step up? The England national team are unsure which way to go with their new goalkeeper, and 24-year-old Butland needs to show that he is their man.
The Stoke stopper made his name at Birmingham City, and his career stalled after making a move to the Premier League. His 87 potential shows he can still reach the top and an 81 overall rating makes him reliable. His 85 GK reflexes, 83 GK handling and 81 GK diving are impressive stats, but a £33.3 million release clause and £44,000 a week wages mean you should look at other options before moving for Butland.
Kepa Arrizabalaga (OVR 80 – POT 87)
Age: 22
Club: Athletic Bilbao
Country: Spain
Best stats: 83 GK reflexes, 81 GK handling, 78 GK diving
Cost: £31.4 million (release clause)
Wage: £17,000
Creeping into Spanish international contention is Athletic Bilbao’s Kepa Arrizabalaga. The 22-year-old’s break came through a loan spell at Real Valladolid in 2015/16 and he went straight into the Athletic first team upon his return. He earned his first call up for the Spain senior team in March 2017, but is still waiting for his first cap.
With an 80 overall and 87 potential he is an under-the-radar signing on Career Mode, but his £31.4 million release cause is still a hefty fee. His best skills of 84 GK reflexes, 81 GK handling and 78 GK diving don’t jump off the page, but his wages of £17,000 is a superb rate.
Loris Karius (OVR 80 – POT 84)
Age: 24
Club: Liverpool
Country: Germany
Best stats: 85 GK reflexes, 84 GK diving, 78 reactions
Cost: £24.3 million (release clause)
Wage: £62,000
You feel Loris Karius will make the breakthrough at Liverpool at some point, but every time he is given a chance by manager Jurgen Klopp, he doesn’t seem to grab it. A fractured hand upon arriving at Anfield didn’t help him settle, and the 24-year-old has only made 18 appearances so far. Simon Mignolet seems to be a couple of steps ahead, but with Karius’s potential, he could eclipse the Belgian this season.
His 80 overall and 84 potential makes him a trustworthy signing, with his £24.3 million release clause being a decent price. His £62,000 a week wages are a stumbling block, but if you guarantee him the number one spot in goal, you should be able to snap him up for around the £50,000 a week mark.
Alphonse Areola (OVR 79 – POT 86)
Age: 24
Club: Paris Saint-Germain
Country: France
Best stats: 83 GK reflexes, 81 GK diving, 80 strength
Cost: £23.5 million
Wage: £47,000
With Paris Saint-Germain holding all the money, promising goalkeeper Alphonse Areola is one of the few to have come through the academy. The 24-year-old was rotated with Kevin Trapp last season, but looks to have won the battle for this campaign, getting the nod in 10 of the 11 PSG games so far. He's one to keep an eye on for this season, so see if he can go on and compete with the best in the world.
Areola has 83 GK reflexes, 81 GK diving and an impressive 80 strength, meaning he will stay strong when intercepting crosses. His 79 overall may not be what you are looking for, but if you have the patience, you will be rewarded with his 86 potential. A £23.5 million transfer fee is an excellent price, and his £47,000 a week wages are not excessive.
More top young goalkeepers
Player | Age | Club | Country | OVR | POT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yoan Cardinale | 23 | Nice | France | 79 | 85 |
Andre Onana | 21 | Ajax | Cameroon | 78 | 85 |
Pau Lopez | 22 | Espanyol | Spain | 78 | 83 |
Alban Lafont | 18 | Toulouse | France | 77 | 89 |
Jordan Pickford | 23 | Everton | England | 77 | 85 |
Bruno Varela | 22 | Benfica | Portugal | 77 | 83 |
Stefanos Kapino | 23 | Olympiakos | Greece | 77 | 82 |
Jose Sa | 24 | Porto | Portugal | 76 | 82 |
Simone Scuffet | 21 | Udinese | Italy | 75 | 83 |
Ruben Blanco | 21 | Celta Vigo | Spain | 75 | 83 |
*Denotes players who are on loan
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