The best free agents to sign on Football Manager 2023
By Tom Gott
One of the first things any new boss on Football Manager 2023 should do is head to the free agent market.
While finding an elite talent without spending a penny is never going to be easy, there are plenty of serviceable players available to bolster out your squad or provide a much-needed boost to a smaller team.
Here are some of the best available in every position.
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Goalkeeper
Fabricio
Most recently on the books at Fulham, veteran stopper Fabricio is your best option here. He's a solid goalkeeper who could help out a mid-table team immediately.
Renan Ribeiro
32-year-old Renan Ribeiro has experience from across the globe and still boasts some excellent goalkeeper stats, including 16 reflexes and 15 one on ones.
Ziga Frelih
At 24, Frelih can be a long-term option for you if you need one. He has spent most of his career in Slovenia but most recently was plying his trade in Portugal.
Right-back
Santiago Arias
After four injury-hit years with Atletico Madrid, Santiago Arias is on the market. At 30 years old, he's got a few years left in him.
William
A full-back by trade, William is comfortable anywhere down the right side of the pitch and could be a useful squad player for a smaller side.
Jeremy Pied
Veteran defender Pied may be lacking in physical stats these days but his mental attributes are still excellent.
Centre-back
Mateo Musacchio
At 31, Musacchio still has plenty of years left in him. He'd be idea for a smaller team in the top flight but could also be valuable backup for a bigger club.
Edgar Ie
Ie is a centre-back by trade but happy to head out to right-back if you need.
Salif Sane
17 strength and 16 aggression tell you everything you need to know about Sane. The man loves an aerial duel.
Left-back
Faouzi Ghoulam
It wasn't too long ago that Ghoulam was being touted as one of the more intriguing left-backs in world football. Now, he's the best free agent you'll find at left-back.
Didac Vila
33-year-old Vila brings extensive experience of Spanish football and is incredibly well-rounded.
Tono
Rounding us out is 32-year-old Tono who, despite his age, still comes with 16 pace and 16 acceleration.
Defensive midfielder
Nemanja Radoja
An excellent option for the Defensive Midfielder role, Radoja has just left Levante but won't struggle to find another top-tier team to join.
Vitor Sanchez
Mental stats are Sanchez's best. The 34-year-old has 18 work rate, 18 determination and 18 teamwork, so you know what you're going to get out of him.
Elkin Blanco
Blanco, who can also play as an inverted left winger for some reason, is a well-rounded option with 12s and 13s across the board.
Central midfielder
Filipe Augusto
16 passing for 28-year-old Augusto, who looks like a smart signing for any team in need of some creativity.
Saphir Taider
A ball-winning midfielder who loves a pass as much as a tackle, Taider can also be your new penalty specialist with 17 for that stat.
Filip Bradaric
Croatian national Bradaric is another of those pass-first DMs, so he would do a job further ahead in your midfield if needed as well.
Attacking midfielders
Ryan Thomas
The best option here is Thomas, who is just days away from completing his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.
Seydouba Soumah
Soumah actually boasts some excellent stats for an AM, including 16s for dribbling, first touch and technique.
Luc Kassi
16 flair for Kassi, who has spent his entire career in Norway up to this point.
Right wing
Luan
Veteran winger Luan has spent most of his career in is native Brazil but is still good enough to help out a smaller side in need of cover.
Fernandinho
A former big-money signing in China, Fernandinho has excellent stats in all the areas you'd want from your winger and is comfortable on both sides of the pitch.
Tornike Okriashvili
Georgia international Okriashvili is a solid second-tier signing for any club short on wingers.
Striker
Fernando Llorente
Towering target man Llorente is still a bully of a striker, with 16 strength and 18 heading proving where his skills lie.
Matej Vydra
Vydra has just left Burnley but brings plenty of knowledge of the English top flight.
Nicolas De Preville
Frenchman De Preville has scored plenty of goals in Ligue 1 and could be a reliable backup for a smaller side.
Joris Manquant
A bonus signing here. Manquant is only 16 but comes with a potential ability of between 130-160. He's a smart pick-up for your academy.
Left wing
Fabio Martins
28-year-old Martins is still good enough for the top flight and can cause problems with his 17 flair and 16 dribbling.
Diego Perotti
Don't expect much running or a lot of goals from Perotti, but his dribbling and creativity are both sublime if you can figure out how to maximise him.
Alex Mula
25-year-old Mula is a good athlete with a little room left to grow if you can manage him right.