Football Manager 2010: Bargain and Out of Contract Player Guide

Written by:  • Edited by: J. F. Amprimoz
Updated May 18, 2011
• Related Guides: Sports Interactive

Working with a tight budget in Football Manager 2010 can be a real challenge so in this guide we highlight some bargain players and a few who are available for free because they are out of contract.

Operating on a Budget

Not everyone who plays FM 2010 will take a job at a rich club. This means operating in the transfer market with limited funds. Finding bargain players is essential and there are plenty of talented footballers out there who can be snapped up on the cheap. The price tag on a player is not the best indicator of quality but if you’re looking for a bargain you’re going to have to take some chances. The element of gambling becomes less worrying if you sign an out of contract player, although you must remember they’ll be taking up a chunk of your wage budget so don’t sign any old duffer.

In this guide for Football Manager 2010 we’ll be highlighting some bargain players and some out of contract players worth signing. They won’t necessarily suit you if you are at a top club, but for managers with limited funds fighting relegation or operating in lower leagues they should come in handy. There are a couple of top players in the bargain section who you should find transfer listed so try to get them for below the asking price.

Just like any other signing these players will only perform for you if they have a good training regime and they get regular football. If they don’t make your first team then be sure you give them a run out in the reserves or send them out on loan or they will deteriorate – this is especially true of older players.

Bargain Players

  • Wojciech Lobodzinski – 26 year old AMRC/FC at Wisla worth £925k
  • Garry Kenneth – 22 year old DC at Dundee United worth £900k
  • Wolfgang Mair – 29 year old AMRC/FC at Austria Karnten worth £140k
  • Ruud van Nistelrooy – 33 year old ST at Real Madrid worth £1.5 million
  • Rafael van der Vaart – 26 year old AMC at Real Madrid worth £8 million
  • Deco – 31 year old AMC at Chelsea worth £2 million (cheaper if you wait)
  • Sergey Krivets - 23 year old AMRLC at Lech worth £1.6 million
  • Daniel Opare - 18 year old D/WBR at Real Madrid worth £1.2 million (£275k on transfer list)
  • Marlon Harewood - 29 year old ST at Aston Villa worth £975k (£775k on transfer list)
  • Marc Muniesa - 17 year old DC at Barcelona worth £950k (£95k on transfer list)

Out of Contract Players Under 30

  • Stephen Appiah – 28 year old DM/MC
  • Ebi Smolarek – 28 year old FC
  • Andy van der Meyde – 29 year old AMR/L
  • Julien Brellier – 27 year old DM/MC
  • Ze Rui – 26 year old AML
  • Abubakari Yakubu – 27 year old DRC/WBR/DM/MC
  • Vladimir Karytska – 30 year old AMRC
  • Camel Meriem – 29 year old AMRLC
  • Houssain Ouhsaine Ouichou – 29 year old AMLC/FC
  • Karim Bridji – 27 year old AMRC/FC
  • Andrea Capone – 28 year old AMLC
  • Rohan Ricketts – 26 year old AMRLC
  • Joe Keenan – 26 year old WBL/MLC
  • Jason Beardsley – 19 year old DR
  • Rudi Skacel – 29 year old D/AML
  • Seyfo Soley – 29 year old DC/DM/MC
  • Michael Nardiello - 20 year old ST
  • Danny Mathijssen - 26 year old D/WBL/DM/MC
  • Steve Olfers - 27 year old DC/DM/MC
  • Michael Mifsud - 28 year old ST
  • Tobias Linderoth - 30 year old DM/MC
  • Espen Johnson - 29 year old GK
  • Celestine Babayaro - 30 year old DL

Warning

Exactly which players are available on a free transfer at the start of the game depends on which database you use. Sports Interactive have released two updates but you can still choose the one you want to use when you start up Football Manager 2010. In the latest release there are various updates to reflect real signings, for example Sol Campbell starts at Arsenal.

The players listed below are the over 30's. Some of these guys had glittering careers and they'll be able to continue to cut it in the big leagues for at least another season. Some of them are on their last legs but can still do a job in the lower leagues.

Out of Contract Players Over 30

  • Lucien Mettomo – 32 year old DC
  • Roque Junior – 32 year old DC
  • Ali Elkhattabi – 32 year old ST
  • Brahim Hemdani – 31 year old SW/DC/DM/MC
  • Mario Silva – 32 year old DL
  • Cesar – 33 year old DC
  • Diego De Ascentis – 32 year old DM/MC
  • Theo Lucius – 32 year old D/WBR/DM/MC
  • Johann Vogel – 32 year old DM/MC
  • Djamel Belmadi – 33 tear old AMRC
  • Domenico Morfeo – 33 year old AMLC
  • Jorge Andrade – 31 year old SW/DC
  • Antoine Sibierski – 34 year old AM/FC
  • Khalilou Fadiga – 34 year old AMLC
  • Boudewijn Zenden – 32 year old MLC
  • Mark Viduka – 33 year old ST
  • Denilson – 31 year old AMLC/FC
  • Alessandro Frau – 32 year old AM/FC
  • Christian Vieri - 35 year old ST
  • Henri Camara - 32 year old ST
  • Kiko - 31 year old AM/FC
  • Sol Campbell - 34 year old DC
  • Ian Walker - 37 year old GK
  • Edgar Davids - 36 year old DM/MC
  • Carsten Jancker - 34 year old ST
  • Mario Silva - 32 year old DL
  • Salvatore Fresi - 36 year old SW/DC/DM/MC
  • David Clotet - 36 year old DC
  • Amaral - 36 year old DM/MC
  • Marcello Castellini - 36 year old DRC
  • Olivier Dacourt - 34 year old DM/MC
  • Marcus Allback - 36 year old ST
  • Patrick Suffo - 31 year old ST
  • Stelios Giannakopoulos - 34 year old AMRC
  • Bonaventure Kalou - 31 year old AMRC/FC
  • Rosen Kirilov - 36 year old DC
  • Kasey Wehrman - 31 year old DM/MC
  • Joseph-Desire Job - 31 year old AMRC/FC
  • Emerson - 33 year old DM/MC
  • Ivan Helguera - 34 year old SW/DC
  • Miguel Angel Angulo - 32 year old AMRC
  • Lauren - 32 year old DR

If you have any suggestions for players to add then please post a comment.


Comments

Showing all 55 comments
 
Sheep Mar 12, 2011 11:25 AM
Willy Topp
Quality job for League 2 and League 1 teams!
Anonymous Nov 9, 2010 1:08 PM
Decent golden oldie
As i said he is quite old, and he comes with a pretty hefty price tag, of about 3mil, but Patrick Vieira, is good for most lower league sides, and if alongside youngsters, his experience improves them, doesn't score loads, but can get you goals when they matter.
hi Oct 23, 2010 2:15 PM
ace striker cheapish
jonathon cristaldo 2.2m from Velez
Avramski Sep 22, 2010 7:41 PM
Richard Hughes
Fantastic DM/M C for Championship and lower league clubs, although he does come with a hefty wage demand (£11,750/week). He's usually available on a free from Portsmouth as well a week or 2 into a new game
Anonymous Sep 9, 2010 9:16 AM
Just starting! Change date of game&more
Does any 1 know how to change a date of game. League date Sunday 12, Champions League game Tuesday 14. How can I change the league game to Friday the 10? Also loan players how can I call them back?
Thanks
cm master Sep 9, 2010 5:01 AM
quallity players
gk-ochoa 500k within 1 season 4 star
cb- otamendi 800k becomes super star
cb - pomar 1m 3 star
rcb -jorgenson 1.1 m - with games becomes top!
rb- dejan barbu- good player for an prem
LLOYDY Aug 31, 2010 12:21 PM
Yannick Djalo
got him off Sporting CP in the portugese leauge, hes in there reserves but i got him for coventry and he got top scorer in the leauge with 36 goals

also recomend Emmanual-thomas on loan from arsenal hes actually amazing great loan if you cant afford him, and he won championship young player of hte year :)
Cra5h Aug 6, 2010 12:53 PM
Cra5h
Well i manage olympiakos....really many talented youngesters... kyriakos papadopoulos and giannis papadopoulos kostas mitroglou (he scored 13 goals in 14 matces) could make you a fortune....
I have derbyshire who scored 37 goals until december...He is goal scoring machine. Olse try Anders Svensson (1.9 million) good player for mid class teams. And see benaglio and lloris greak goalkeepers
rezin8 Aug 3, 2010 11:33 AM
Lower League
waide fairhurst (ST) from donny rovers can do a job in league two. Jamie McGovern can be snapped up pretty cheap from Hamilton (MC/DMC). Loaning in young De Laet from Man Utd has been a revelation from my donny rovers team. Good at centre back and a sturdy right back.

rezin8
anonymous Jul 28, 2010 5:41 AM
Good player
Christian Vieri is class

scored 5 goals in 4 matches for falkirk (small spl side)

scott arfeild from falkirk is good and i recomend him
FM $tar Jul 22, 2010 4:29 AM
cheap players
has any 1 got any suggestions for a sick cheap striker 4 QPR i got henri camara and smolarek but there not scoring all that much and if u also got some suggestions for cb as well
FM $tar Jul 21, 2010 3:35 PM
Football Manager 2010: Bargain and Out of Contract Player Guide
cheers there is some sick players in ur out of contarct bit
R00kie Jun 7, 2010 3:35 PM
Good GK
costel pantilimon
cost me about 1.8 million from a romanian team
superb keeper and is only 21
Kerr Jun 3, 2010 3:24 PM
League 2
Do any of you lot know any loan players who do brilliant for league 2 teams or free agents which are awesome preferably a stiker and cb also maybe a decent player under 20k
Cheers Much Appreciated
nathan May 3, 2010 1:10 PM
fast player
blaszczykowski is reallllly fast
Nathan May 3, 2010 12:59 PM
Demon Adam johnson
He is a great player and got 37 assist when I was playing as everton
george Apr 26, 2010 6:37 AM
bargain
you can buy lauren for any championship side..........the only problem is his injuries because of the lost summer trainning session...........
The Man! Apr 7, 2010 9:48 AM
Best striker
Must buy Arouna Kone if you're in the championship. He cost around 3million but returned it with 43 goals in 51 matches for me (QPR). Also good at Premier League level.
Wajahat Apr 5, 2010 9:47 PM
Krivets
Sergey Krivets is amazing. Bought him from BATE and he got 2 assists and 1 goal in his first ever match for my club. It was in pre-season. Van Persie is also good. Also buy striker Ahmed Abdulla from West Ham U-18 squad.
farris Mar 29, 2010 6:46 AM
Ebi Smolarek
This guy is a quality player!!!! He scored 33 goals in one season for Nottingham Forest, cost me nothing and wages are only £8k/week!!! His value keeps on rising and is now £3m!!!
jamie Mar 27, 2010 10:13 AM
vieri!!
why di everyone forget vieri
Mevs Mar 18, 2010 1:25 PM
RE: Football Manager 2010: Bargain and Out of Contract Player Guide
henri camara !!!!!!!!!!!!! best
Coolbeans Mar 17, 2010 12:36 AM
Some bargains and a good tip I found that works 4 me, wondered if it worked 4 anyone else?!
GK Lung Jnr 20 1.2 mil
GK Doblas 28 free
DC Cipot 33 65k
DR Mario Sergio 28 425k
DM/MC Drincic 24 900k MUST BUY!
DMC Stepanenko 20 500k ish
AMRLC Mota 28 120k Best buy in game imo!
FC Velikonja 20 200-300k 34 goals 10 assists 44 games championship!
SC Bunderla 21 16k if listed lower league must!
SC Romulo 27 450k if listed, sign in jan!
SC Kas'kov 17 1.5mil

I've also found if u load up a league as background but load all players from that nation the prices can be a lot cheaper! I signed Krivets for 375k from BATE at the start of the game!!!
Ian Mar 14, 2010 8:57 AM
On Loan
was playing as newcastle, had an inkling to try and buy macheda. Had the lad loaned in, he scored 43 goals in 10months. Sorted. Good loan idea for championship teams
Drew atkins Mar 4, 2010 7:52 AM
best signing ever
belarusian 23 year oldSergey Krivets from BATE borisov
sign at the beggining for 1M - 1.5M over 48 months,
first season at leeds 23 goals and 28 assists, plays anywhere across the midfield, or as a striker.
Amazing, sold to ac milan for 40mil
Ryan Mar 1, 2010 1:41 PM
Great Players
Kiko he may be 31yrs old but in my Blackburn season scored 22 goals out of 37 games and he got me in to Europe!!!
fiction1992 Feb 28, 2010 8:15 AM
really good player
Muricio Gomez- MC/R

25 Assists
15 Goals
18 years old

His Fitness isn't good, but tehnique...
Ahh... He's awesome... 3.8M euros.

Now I can sell him for 8M euros. Many Italian and English clubs want them. Man City is interested.
fiction1992 Feb 28, 2010 8:12 AM
Out of contract
Henry Camara- an awesome striker.
His years are not a problem. The guy scores... A lot!
Wajahat Mohiuddin Feb 20, 2010 5:52 PM
How to search for players
How can you search for players who don't belong to any club. I am playing FM 2010 Demo Version and I can't find Sol Campbell and Stephen Appiah.
KIZZA Feb 15, 2010 5:36 PM
FOOTBALL MANAGER
GET JESUS NAVAS WHEN HIS CONTRACT RUNS OUT IN THE FIRST SEASON HE IS AMENSE
KIZZA Feb 15, 2010 5:35 PM
my west ham team after two seasons
i spent 39million on this team due to out of contract and cheapies:GK:ROBERT GREEN
DL:JOE MATTOCK
DR:FELIPE MATTONI
CB;BRUNO ALVES
CB:JOHN TERRY
ML;FRANCK RIBERY
MR;JESUS NAVAS
CM:JONATHAN DE GUZMAN
CM:MARK NOBLE
CF:HARIS VUCKIC
CF:FABIO ZAMBLERA//FERDIRICO MACHEDA
Sam welsh Feb 14, 2010 4:56 PM
cheap players
Edixon Perea for £500k good stats and always scores 30+ a season in league 1. for southampton hes a must buy
Matthew Feb 11, 2010 8:56 AM
Michael Nardiello
Good young signing. He's free. I would suggest Leaugue 1 or lower.
Miiké de Rob Feb 8, 2010 4:21 PM
Free
Elliot Omozusi. 20 year old English/Nigerian RB. Available on free, and is a fantastic little worker. Loan him out to a reasonably good eam in your league for a season and he just becomes quality.
Miiké de Rob Feb 8, 2010 4:00 PM
Quality players

I'd recommend looking to Norway for a few players. I got Grindheim for 2.6m, and Skjelbred for 1.8m. Grindheim is an amazing Box to Box MC (scored 16 Goals in 22 appearences 1st season), Skjelbred is AMC (7 goals, 12 assists in 24 games). Would definitely tell anyone to grab them.

I realise they may seem pricey for this page, but trust me they are quality.

Reginiussen is a Norwegian DC available to sign on a pre-contract 1st season, will sign on 1.1.2010. He wants naff all money and is quality.

Don't know what it is about Norway...

Anyway, last one. Mcdonald Mariga. 22 year old Kenyan MC plays for Parma. Can be cheap (below 5m) and his stats are amazing. 6 attributes above 18 from the off, amazing player.
Anonymous Feb 8, 2010 2:25 PM
Bargain
Get Luciana Traore
timski Feb 5, 2010 6:05 AM
bargain players
Emad Motaeb is excellent for 500k
David Burns Feb 5, 2010 5:22 AM
Out of contract players
Sol Campbell
matt beecher Jan 30, 2010 9:44 AM
Jonas
Sign Jonas from newcastle. he is amazing scored seven goals in pre season and seven goals in the first three games on the wing
danny Jan 28, 2010 3:36 PM
Mifsud 25 goals by Xmas
Mifsud been quality for colchester. Signed Mifsud as a second choice striker - has now overtaken Platt and scored 25 goals by christmas in League one and we're second behind Leeds. van der Meyde got injured mid season for 5 months :p Got player called Warley on trial- he has two caps for brazil and is available free. Scored 8 goals in pre-season but sadly no work permit..:P nyways bought amc Sandrinho (29) from Litex for 500.000. By Christmas he got 15 assists :)
Dave Jan 26, 2010 5:35 PM
Willian Kvist
signed him for Ipswich for 1.1mil- more than worth the price tag, bargain player, I recommend him for most championship promotion contenders
chris ramsey Jan 25, 2010 3:20 PM
good players to get for the championship
get jack wilshire on loan and francisco merida !!!! they were class when i was newcastle

also man utds macheda he is class up front with ameobi has scored loads of goals well worth a daft loan deal till end of season
Rani Jan 23, 2010 11:29 AM
Gardar Gunnlaugsson
Gardar Gunnlaugsson, the Icelandic striker in on free transfer when you begin the game. He worked wonders for me with Middlesbrough, scoring 39 goals in 45 apperances in his first season and coming off the bench to score 15 on my second season, when I was in the Premier League.. and had Hugo Almeida and Ewerthon up front.
papu Jan 21, 2010 3:02 PM
RE: Football Manager 2010: Bargain and Out of Contract Player Guide
i'm playing with barca.
i bought rooney, great player you should see it
sambo 7777 Jan 21, 2010 4:37 AM
good player
nilmar scores loads of goals 4 me
Tom S Jan 17, 2010 2:49 PM
Harewood and Manucho Partnership
Im manager of Leeds.

Marlon Harewood from Villa 750k 09/10 season
Manucho from Valladolid 4.8m 10/11 season

Harewood scored 31 goals in 41 games in league 1

Manucho has started well for me his wage was only 8,000. He has scored 11 goals in 16 games

Harewood so far has scored 12 goals in 17 games.

Recommend them both
jimbob Jan 14, 2010 11:26 AM
good player
nacer barazite (arsenal) brilliant
Dan Jan 13, 2010 9:00 AM
Nathan Tyson
I got Tyson off Notts Forest when in charge of the super Norwich in League 1 for around 450k and he scored 32 goals for me in all competitions great player. I am now in The championship and straight away he is on fire. He is fast and finishing is in the 18 first touch is abit poor at 11 but in League 1 he couldn't be stopped. I also go Carstan Janker on a free and also Samual Kuffour is free at the start he was ok in League 1.
antonio banderas Jan 7, 2010 6:29 PM
jamel ait ben idir & mathew booth
ben idir is a 25 year old morocan dm/cm and can be bought for £200k off le havre in france , after his first season he is worth over £3 million . booth is 31 year old south african sw/cb and can be bought for £75k off sundowns in south africa. bought players are quality .
Will chick Jan 4, 2010 4:05 PM
Ebi smolarek and marlon harewood
Ebi Smolarek is quality. He's asks for big wages but him and harewood from Aston villa (775k) have scored 67 goals for me between them in my derby team
james Jan 4, 2010 6:56 AM
Ian walker
good free signing for championship teams and below
Startinez Dec 30, 2009 9:47 PM
RE: Football Manager 2010: Bargain and Out of Contract Player Guide
Christian Vieri is out of contract and takes really low wages, £3,400pw for me.

Also David Beckham is on loan to AC Milan but can be signed on pre-contract in the first Jan xfer window.
Tom Dec 23, 2009 6:55 AM
Henry Camara
Definately worth a punt in the championship, i back up with west brom playing 4-5-1 with just him up top n he dragged me up and earned me an F.A up semi-final with 40 plus goals in all competitons
Phil Dec 17, 2009 6:20 AM
Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell - signed him for Ipswich, ok he's on 23,000 a week but this is still Sol Campbell
Mykahveli Nov 25, 2009 6:26 PM
Henry Camara
Henry Camara is the best free player. I'm managing Newcastle and he has 13 goals in 17 matches!
 
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