The best free agents to sign on Football Manager 2024 - including ex-Man Utd and Leeds United stars

The newest edition of the world’s most popular management simulation is now available after Football Manager 2024 was fully released across all platforms on Monday.

Players across the world are already kicking off their careers in the dugout by taking on a number of intriguing challenges. Will it be taking over one of European football’s greatest clubs in the search for Champions League success and continuing domestic domination in the style of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, or possibly helping a relegated club bounce back to the top flight like Enzo Maresca at Leicester City?

How will the ever competitive transfer market be navigated? Will a manager look to win the race for South American wonderkids or pay big money for established stars and go on a Chelsea-style spending spree? One useful option for the more frugal manager would be the free transfer market - and there are a number of intriguing options available should a manager choose to go down that route.

We’ve done the hard work for you and found ten eye-catching free agents that are available for managers to sign without spending a single penny, as another year of gaming gets underway.

Jerome Boateng

Packed full of international and Champions League experience, bringing in the Germany international on a free could be a shrewd move for any manager preparing for life with a mid to lower-table Premier League club.

Although Boateng would not be a starter, he could provide useful support to any starting defenders and commands relatively modest wages of around £32,000-per week. As an added bonus the experienced centre-back is seemingly happy to accept a role as a squad player.

David De Gea

It seems remarkable to think the former Manchester United stalwart is still looking for a new club following his departure from Old Trafford earlier this summer. Yet here he is, sitting there, waiting, assessing his future as a free agent.

Although not the keeper he once was, De Gea would be a valuable addition for anyone managing a Premier League club - but be warned, he does insist on being first choice and will require around £60,000-a-week in wages.

Ryan Bertrand

A former Champions League, FA Cup and Europa League winner, as well as a 19-times capped England international. Bertrand would not be able to hold down a place as a regular starter in a Premier League side - but he would be able to provide competition and backup for a top flight manager. Perhaps more suited to a promotion seeking Championship club and would provide value for money with wages demands of £30,000-a-week.

Andre Ayew

The former Swansea City and Nottingham Forest player is unlikely to be able to survive in a Premier League team but could be a solid addition for a mid-table or play-off challenging club in the Championship.

Able to play across the frontline, Ayew still has strong stats across the board and is willing to settle for a role as an impact substitute with wages of around £31,000-a-week.

Jesse Lingard

Oh how Lingard’s career could have been very different. A solid free transfer pickup for a bottom-half Premier League club and useful as an attacking midfielder (centre) or on the left-hand side of a front three.

With surprisingly modest demands of £38,000-a-week, Lingard would not be the worst selection a manager could make if they are looking to the free transfer market.

Ante Coric

Another solid potential addition for a lower-table Premier League side and top-half Championship club, former Roma attacking midfielder Coric is a more long-term option than most players on this list. Still only 26, the Croatian can provide a useful squad option and will only demand around £16,000-a-week in wages. Be warned, gaining a work permit may well prove difficult.

Roberto Soriano

Any Championship play-off challenger could do worse than picking up the former Italy international on a free.

A regular in Serie A with Bologna in recent seasons, Soriano’s impressive passing stats and work rate would make him a solid addition for anyone hunting a bargain. Able to play in centre midfield and in a more attacking role, wage demands of £35,000-a-week make him well worth a punt.

Andre Almeida

Who wouldn’t want a solid, dependable and versatile full-back option that would come with bags of Champions League experience after a long spell with Benfica? Although now 32-years-old, Almeida would be a tidy option for a Championship club and would provide a reliable option in any squad in the second tier.

Helder Costa

The former Leeds United winger will have plenty of interest when a new game is started. Our particular save saw Costa receive offers from the Championship, MLS, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

Although his stats are on a downward spiral, the 29-year-old could be a useful short-term addition for a mid-to-lower table Championship club and is happy with a squad rotation role. However, he is another player that may struggle to meet work permit regulations.

Sergio Asenjo

Once a Villarreal stalwart, goalkeeper Asenjo has even attracted interest from AC Milan in this particular save and with good reason too. With solid stats across the board, the one-time capped Spain international would provide a reliable option as backup to a first-choice keeper for a Premier League club or as a first-choice stopper in the Championship.