Football Manager 27 is now free-to-play via Launch Preview until November 3 - meaning players across the world are already getting their first saves underway.

Whether you opt for a top-flight team at first to learn the new game mechanics, or jump straight into a lower league journeyman save, there are hundreds of thousands of players available for you to sign.

And while you're no doubt preparing for which wonderkids to sign in your first full transfer window - we've got you covered on that below - there are a number of cult heroes from the Football Manager franchise that are still in the database and could still represent valuable pickups depending on where, and at what level, you're managing.

Here are nine of those players:

David Silva

Manchester City legend David Silva came out of retirement after three years earlier in October to sign for Hong Kong Premier League side Sha Tin on a short-term contract.

Now aged 40, Silva won't be available to buy right away, but if you can tempt him to your club in the first January window then he could prove to be a very shrewd signing.

While his physicals unsurprisingly aren't great - the Spaniard never relied on pace even in his prime - he has 17 for dribbling, passing and first touch, 18 for technique, vision and off the ball, and also 18 for composure, decisions and flair. His defensive attributes aren't great - 9 for tackling, 8 for marking and 8 for positioning - but could be more than serviceable for him to be deployed in a deep-lying role.

Radamel Falcao

Radamel Falcao is currently a free agent after leaving Colombian giants Millonarios earlier this year.

His attacking stats are still outstanding at the age of 40, with 17 in finishing, 18 in composure and 15 in heading. Falcao's physicals haven't completely fallen off the cliff yet either: he has 8 for acceleration and pace, 10 for agility and 12 for balance and strength.

Keisuke Honda

For a long time a cult hero of both the FIFA and Football Manager series, Japan icon Keisuke Honda is still going professionally at the age of 39.

The midfielder initially stopped playing back in 2021 and took over as head coach of the Cambodia national team, but decided to make a return in 2024 and signed for Singapore Premier League side FC Jurong in April of this year. His work rate attribute of 5 might be a problem, but he has 15 for first touch and passing, as well as 17 in technique, to make a perfectly adequate playmaker. He's also got 16 for corners and free kicks.

Hulk

The ever-controversial Brazilian forward Hulk is still going strong in his home country at 40 years old, having scored six goals in 14 league games since re-joining Fluminense earlier this year.

He still has some remarkable attributes for his age: 18 strength and 15 balance, as well as 11 for both acceleration and pace, means he's still a threat physically, while he has a customary 17 for long shots, 18 for free kicks and penalties, 17 for flair and 15 for passing, finishing, technique and crossing. Hulk could be a valuable pickup even in the top leagues if you can use him correctly.

Jamie Cureton

Jamie Cureton became the first player to score in all of England's top 10 tiers in October of last year, and he's part of the Football Manager database for another year.

The 50-year-old's longevity is reflected by an attribute rating of 18 in natural fitness, while he still has 10 for acceleration and 10 for stamina. His finishing attribute is 13 and he's also a more than competent penalty taker, meaning you've still got something to work with in the lower levels of English non-league.

Nene

Brazil forward Nene was one of the best players in world football during the 2011/12 season, smashing in 27 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions for Paris Saint-Germain.

He didn't last too much longer at the French giants and left not long into the following season, but has now been back in Brazil for over 10 years after a spell in Qatar and, slightly oddly, an eight-game stint with West Ham in 2015.

On FM27, he's still playing for Brazilian side Botafogo, and has 16 in both passing and technique and 19 in penalty taking. If nothing else, you could rely on all of these players to produce in a penalty shootout.

Edinson Cavani

Former PSG and Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani moved to Boca Juniors in 2023 and got to play in last year's Club World Cup.

The Uruguayan is currently a free agent, but hasn't yet officially retired from football and so is still listed on the FM database. He's unquestionably one of the better players on this list, too: 18 in heading, 15 in finishing and 13 in jumping reach make him an ideal finisher, while he also has 18 for leadership and work rate, 15 for aggression, off the ball and bravery, and 17 for determination.

His physicals aren't too bad as well. With 11 for agility, 12 for balance and strength, and 13 for jumping reach, Cavani can still be something of a physical threat, though his attribute of 8 for both acceleration and pace means you'll have to be clever with how you use him.

Jari Litmanen

Former Champions League winner Jari Litmanen retired from professional football back in 2011 but made a return 14 years later, signing on with Estonian side JK Tallinna Kalev - where his two sons also play.

Litmanen has the model citizen personality along with 19 leadership, making him an ideal captaincy candidate if you wanted him to spend a year with your club - if you can convince him to join. The ex-Ajax, Barcelona and Liverpool attacking midfielder still has some enviable technical stats, too: 14 in crossing, 13 in dribbling and technique, and 12 in first touch and finishing. At 55 when the game starts, it's safe to assume you'll only get the one season out of him.

Lee Trundle

The third-oldest player on this list at 49 years old, Lee Trundle is signed to Welsh third-tier side Cwmbran Town.

You're understandably not going to see incredible physicals at this stage in his extraordinary career, but he still has 17 for flair, 14 technique and 13 first touch. And if you needed a penalty taker, he's got 17 in that attribute as well.

Where can I buy Football Manager 27?

Multiple retailers have Football Manager 27 available for pre-order for your Xbox or PC.

At full price, the game costs £49.99, but there's currently 16 per cent off on the Fanatical website. And you can snag an additional five per cent off with our exclusive code SPORTBIBLE5, bringing the cost down to £39.89.

Anyone that pre-orders the game will be able to access the title after the five-day free preview ends on November 3, 2026 and before general release on November 9, 2026.

You can apply the code at checkout here.