The winter transfer window will officially open on January 1, 2025 and a number of Rwandan players plying their trade abroad will see off their contracts at the end of 2024 and while some may get extension, others must also find new employers. Times Sport takes a look at 5 top Rwandan players abroad who will be free agents in January 2025. Jojea Kwizera (Rhode Island FC, USA) Kwizera was one of the standout performance for Rhode Island FC in the 2024 USL Championship season scoring three goals and providing 5 assists in 27 league appearances as they finished as runners up in the play-offs. Kwizera’s contract at Rhode Island expired on November 30 and from his output last season, he won't be short of suitors. With the USL Championship set to introduce promotion and elimination in the 2025 season, they may want to offer Kwizera a new deal so that he can help in their quest for promotion to the Major League Soccer. Kwizera’s price value according to transfermarkt is $250,000. ALSO READ: Kwizera sets up goal in Rhode Island win Phanuel Kavita (Birmingham Legion, USA) The new Amavubi central defender is the captain of USL outfit Birmingham Legion FC. Just like Kwizera, Kavita's contract also expired on November 30, 2024. The energetic guardsman has been at Birmingham Legion since December 8, 2020 and has gone on to make 133 appearances for the club, scoring one goal and providing one assist. With the new USL season expected to start in March 2025, Kavita might sign an extension for at least one more season if no big offer comes. ALSO READ: South Africa's Marumo Gallants make an offer for Nshuti Innocent Nshuti (One Knoxville FC, USA) Despite being prolific for Amavubi where he scored twice in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers games, Nshuti endured a tough time at US third tier league side One Knoxville FC. The Rwanda international failed to find the back of the net from the 12 league games he played the just-concluded. Nshuti is already a free agent since his contract expired on November 30. He seems not to be compatible with the US third tier and he may be on his way out. Already, South Africa Betway Premiership club Marumo Gallants have shown interest in signing the former APR striker. Dylan Maes (FS Jelgava, Latvia) The towering centre back’s contract at Latvian first league club FS Jelgava expires on December 31, and he is in no way in a position to extend. The 23-year-old defender is being courted by several clubs in Macedonia and Bulgaria as a January move beckons. Maes has previously featured for Beveren in Belgium, Sintrense and Amadora B in Portugal, Alki Oroklini in Cyprus, NK Tolmin in Slovenia and FS Jelgava in Latvia. Jackson Prince Ishimwe (Atlantis FC, Finland) The former Rayon Sports defensive midfielder signed for Finnish third tier club Atlantis FC on August 4, 2024 on a four-months deal. The 18-year-old midfielder played 6 games for the Atlantis U19 team in the just-ended Finnish Youth League and excelled. With his contract set to end on December 31, he is expected to be handed a new contract.
