Football Manager 2023 is now out on all consoles, which means you can start preparing your shortlists ahead of the new season.
Finding a good free-agent in Football Manager may be rare, but when you discover that perfect gem then it can really pay off.
Read on to find out all you need to know about how to discover and secure the best free agents for your squad in FM23.
FM23 Free Agents
Free agents are defined as any player that is unattached and is, therefore, free to negotiate with any club without a transfer fee being involved.
Slightly different to a pre-contract player, free agents are players that are let go at the end of the season without any attempt at renewal.
Players can be let go from clubs due to injuries, wage disputes, or maybe they're just looking for a new challenge.
Either way, they could play a vital role for your team in Football Manager 2023.
How to sign free agents in FM23
On the 'transfers' tab, you'll be able to locate a list of free agents by applying relevant filters.
Either go through the 'Free Agents' list and locate your player or simply search for their name in the search bar.
When you've located your player, you will notice that they have no assigned club. Simply hover over the 'contract' section of their profile and select 'approach to sign' from the dropdown list.
As ever, it will then be up to you to offer the player a decent contract.
TOP TIP: keep an eye out for the full retained and released list that is announced at the end of every season. This will give you a club-by-club guide as to who has been let go.
FM23 Best Free Agents
Free agents are vital in Football Manager, especially for sides that don't boast an incredibly large transfer budget.
It's worth noting that there is usually a reason that these players are without a club.
Whether it be injury or discipline issues, always tread carefully when heading into this mixed market.