Money can be a bit tight at the start of any Football Manager 2024 save, and so it's wise to dip your toe into the pool of free agents.
If you move quickly, you can pick up some excellent bargains for no cost at all, with plenty of excellent options available across the pitch.
Here are 90min's picks for the best free agents on FM24.
Goalkeeper
David de Gea
Statistically the best free agent available, De Gea's 19 reflexes and 16 handling are elite numbers, although his disappointing mental stats and poor passing might limit his place in an elite side.
Sergio Asenjo
Asenjo leaves Valladolid on a free transfer on September 1, 2023, so you'll have to be patient if you want to pick him up, but he's worth the wait if you need a free goalkeeper.
Timo Horn
At 30 years old, Horn is one of the younger options available to you and the fact he actually brings any form of resale value makes him worth considering.
Right-back
Aleix Vidal
With elite versatility, Vidal is the stand-out option when it comes to right-back. Whether that's actually his best position or not is for you to decide.
Almamy Toure
Toure is a centre-back by trade but seems best suited for a wider role, where his 16 pace and 13 crossing can be used.
Andre Almeida
10 pace might be a problem for some but Almeida is one of the better pure defenders out there and can even do a job at left-back and in midfield.
Centre-back
Eduardo Bauermann
Another who requires a bit of patience, Bauermann will become a free agent in September. He's a great defender and, at 27, is one of a few long-term options available at this position.
Jang Hyun-Soo
The towering Jang has 15 tackling and 15 composure, so you know you're getting a reliable defender here.
Jerome Boateng
The legendary Boateng will get snapped up very quickly so you'll have to move quick if you want him on your team.
Left-back
Ryan Bertrand
A steady defender with 13s and 14s all over his stats page, Bertrand is a solid option for any mid-table side looking for a bit more experience at the back.
Marvin Plattenhardt
16 corners and 17 long throws are unique weapon for Plattenhardt who, at 31, is still physically capable of competing at a high level.
Marvin Zeegelaar
Similarly agile at 32, Zeegelaar is an all-out attack sort of defender. He won't be perfect for every team but if you're eyeing an explosive wing-back, he could be your guy.
Defensive midfielder
Yann M'Vila
M'Vila has some excellent stats for a defensive midfielder, and his mental attributes make him look like a dream to manage. He's absolutely the top signing in this spot.
Rodrigo Lindoso
The Brazilian veteran comes with 17 penalties, so he might just become your first-choice taker as well.
Peter Etebo
At 27, Etebo offers nice resale value and so could be the smartest signing while you spend the first season searching for a long-term option.
Central midfielder
Jose Campana
Campana is one of the top players looking for a new club at the start of FM23. Still only 30, there's plenty of time to take advantage of his 16 passing and 16 first touch.
Adrien Silva
A bit of a do-it-all player, Silva's 16 passing and 14 tackling should help him settle into whatever role you ask of him.
Xeka
28-year-old Xeka will leave Rennes in August, at which point he'll field offers pretty quickly. His 15 passing is too good to pass up on.
Attacking midfielder
Javier Pastore
At 34, Pastore's physical stats are shot but he's a glorious technician with 19 technique, 16 passing and 16 dribbling. If you need somebody to change the game for you, he could be the perfect signing.
Rodriguinho
Rodriguinho is comfortable in a central midfield role but is best suited for this spot behind the striker, where his 13 finishing could be useful.
Jesse Lingard
Lingard's financial demands aren't quite so scary on FM24 so he'll make a valuable addition to a mid-table side looking for goals from midfield.
Right winger
Iago Falque
The veteran Falque will become a free agent later in the summer. If you want speed, he may not be for you, but the Spaniard is a real threat with his 16 passing.
Karim Bellarabi
15 pace and 15 dribbling give Bellarabi all the basic tools needed to be an effective winger for any team.
Andre Ayew
Ayew, who can also play as a striker, can still do a job out wide with his 16 dribbling.
Striker
Felipe Caicedo
Statistically the best striker available for free, Caicedo has some superb mental stats which will help him take advantage of his 15 finishing. He's a guaranteed source of goals.
Alan
Chinese striker Alan will become available in August, when clubs will quickly start handing out offers. He's well-rounded enough to be effective in any role up top.
Andre Ayew
We told you he's worth considering if you want a striker. Ayew's 15 composure and 13 finishing are solid numbers for a smaller side in search of goals.
Left winger
Jean-Paul Boetius
A nice, versatile option for anywhere across your midfield, Boetius won't be available as a free agent for long.
Luis Seijas
He might be 37 but Seijas still has an impressive 13 pace so there should be a good year or two left in his tank.
Diego Perotti
Perotti doesn't have the physicals anymore but he's superb technically. 17 dribbling, 16 first touch and 15 passing should make him a nice inverted option.
This article was originally published on 90min as The best free agents to sign on Football Manager 2024.
