13 Best League 1 Signings in FM24 - FMBrotherhood
Warren O’Hora in FM24
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13 Best League 1 Signings in FM24

By callum | November 11, 2023 | 2285 Views

Best League 1 Signings in FM24

Are you managing in League One but not sure who to sign to help you towards promotion?

I’ve done some extensive research to find 13 of the best League 1 signings you can make in the first season! These range from free transfers, to loans, to players that can be signed for up to £250k. This means there will be a player in this article for any budget.

When managing in League One, budgets are typically quite small. This means if you’re spending money on a player, you want them to be an important part of your squad for the next few seasons.

However, free transfers that can plug a gap for a season or two can also be extremely valuable.

1. Liam Moore

Liam Moore in FM24

First in this article as one of the best League 1 signings in Football Manager 2024 is Jamaican centre back Liam Moore. The experienced defender is terrific at the back, and has 17 leadership. He would be ideal for a club that’s looking for some leadership in the dressing room.

He’s spent most of his career in the Championship, but is now willing to join teams in League One that can afford his wages. £3.6k per week is a lot for some teams in the division, but he would definitely be one of the better defenders in League 1, and he will be good enough to be a part of your back-line for 2-3 seasons.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Top half and play off pushing League One teams.

2. Harry Clifton

Harry Clifton in FM24

Harry Clifton is a Welsh versatile midfielder who will run all day for your team. He has 18 work rate, 16 stamina, and 18 natural fitness. He would be the engine in your midfield, and also has good enough passing for League One level.

Clifton is one of the best players in League Two, and is definitely ready to take the step up to League One. He will cost you £140k, but if you can afford it, he can be a huge part of your midfield for years to come. A very smart investment.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Top half and play off pushing League One teams.

3. Matt Lowton

Matt Lowton in Football Manager 24

Lowton is 34 years of age, but still has lots of quality to offer your League One team. He might be a bit slow for a full back, but his mental and defensive attributes make up for it, and his experience allows him to still be in the right position at the right time. Matt Lowton can play at CB too, showing his great versatility.

His wage demands are relatively high. I managed to get him down to £4.2k per week, which is affordable for the top sides in League One. He is one of the best FM24 League 1 signings to fill a gap for a season, and help push you towards promotion.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Play off and promotion pushing League One teams.

4. Josh Knight

Josh Knight in Football Manager 2024

So for those that aren’t managing Peterborough, Josh Knight is one of the best League 1 signings in Football Manager 2024. He’s a really solid defender for this level, and can be signed for just £80k.

Like I mentioned in the introduction, wen you’re paying transfer fees for players at this level, they need to be good enough to be a part of your squad for at least the next few seasons. This is what Josh Knight could be for your League One team.

He’s also wanted by Championship side Huddersfield. If teams in the league above are after him, then Knight could still be a part of your defence if you were to get promoted.

You would also be poaching a great player from a domestic rival. Not many better feelings than that.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Play off and promotion pushing League One teams.

5. Charles Kabore

Charles Kabore in FM24

Charles Kabore is another player who could come in and do an amazing job for a season or two in your League 1 team. Just completely ignore his pace. He doesn’t need it if you use him as a ball winning midfielder/anchor. Just sit him in there and he’ll win the ball back for you all day.

Kabore is the kind of player that does all of the dirty work, and then gives the ball to your more technical players to create chances. An excellent signing for top League One teams. He has almost 100 caps for his national team too.

His £2.7k per week wage demands are pretty reasonable when you consider his quality. But he’s wanted by Champinship side QPR too, so move fast! Kabore hs 16 natural fitness, so don’t be put off by his age.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Play off and promotion pushing League One teams.

6. Zac Williams – Lower League Wonderkid in FM24

Zac Williams in Football Manager 2024

Williams is one of the best lower league wonderkids in FM24, and can be signed for just £180k! He’s a cheap FM24 wonderkid who has the potential to develop as you climb up the English leagues.

Zac Williams’ mental attributes are what stand out at his young age. Most of them are rated 12 or higher, which is promising for his development chances. You can play him as a centre back, left back, or left wing back too. I think he would work really well as a left centre back in a back 3.

As he currently plays for Crewe in League Two, who are one of the worst teams in the division, he should be willing to join any team in League One.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Any team in League One that can afford him. Would be an excellent investment!

7. Yehor Yarmoliuk – Loan Signing in League One

Yehor Yarmoliuk in FM24

Yehor Yarmoliuk isn’t a permanent signing, but is one of the best loan signings for a League 1 team. Championship teams Plymouth and West Brom are also interested in signing him, showing he has enough quality to play in the league above.

Yarmoliuk is all round a solid midfielder. His 18 work rate means he’ll work extremely hard for your team. Brentford are looking for you to cover 80% of his wages, which comes to £4k per week. If you’ve not got a transfer budget, but enough spare wages for a loan deal, Yehor Yarmoliuk would be an excellent choice.

Because he’s young, he’ll get even better as the season goes on too.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Top half and play off pushing teams in League One.

8. Sulayman Marreh

Sulayman Marreh in FM24

Sulayman Marreh is a 27 year old midfielder with some top physical attributes for League 1 level. You might not be impressed by his technical attributes, but his mental and physical stats definitely make up for it.

A quality free agent in the prime of his career is hard to find, so make the most of Marreh being on the market before a Championship team like Huddersfield steal him from you. His wage demands are a lot though, at £5.25k per week.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Play off and promotion pushing League One teams.

9. Gabriel Obertan

Gabriel Obertan's attributes in Football Manager 2024

Some of you might be thinking why is Gabriel Obertan on this list of the best League 1 signings in FM24. I completely forgot he existed, but he’s still playing professional football at 34 years of age.

He would still be a good player for most Championship teams, and he would become one of the best players in League One. At the start of your FM24 save, Obertan has only got 6 months left on his contract. This means you can get him for free and he’d join your team in January.

You would get a great season and a half or 2 out of him. The versatile midfielder is great value for money. I got a contract offer accepted for £4.1k per week.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Play off and promotion pushing League One teams.

10. Tom Pearce

Tom Pearce in FM24

Pearce is a brilliant League One quality left back that has good crossing, pace, and acceleration. He’s spent a lot of seasons at Wigan, but he’s ready to play for a better team in the division.

Tom Pearce will only cost £170k, and he’s just coming into his prime. You’ll get a lot of seasons out of him, or you’ll be able to sell in the future and make your money back.

However, Pearce is already on £5k per week, and will want higher wages to move, so make sure you’ve got plenty of wage budget spare.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Play off and promotion pushing League One teams.

11. Helder Costa

Helder Costa in FM24

Helder Costa is a fantastic winger who would instantly become one of the best players in League One. He also made our list of the best free agents in FM24, so you can find out more about him there.

Helder Costa’s wage demands – £6.5k per week (with a lot of clauses)

Would be an ideal signing for:

Promotion pushing and title challenging League One teams.

12. Andy Rinomhota

Andy Rinomhota in Football Manager 24

Rinomhota played almost every game for Cardiff in the Championship last season, showing he has enough quality to play in that division. He’s a top ball winning midfielder, who has some fantastic determination, work rate, and natural fitness.

Rinomhota likes to play short simple passes, so you don’t need to worry too much about his 9 technique. Similar to Charles Kabore, Andy Rimonhota will break up the play, and pass to your other players to make things happen going forward.

The African midfielder is transfer listed in season one for just £190k. He’s only 26, so could fill the defensive midfield spot in your team for years to come. You’ll need to have a lot of spare wages left to to bring him down a division though.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Promotion pushing and title challenging League One teams.

13. Warren O’Hora

Warren O’Hora in FM24

Warren O’Hora is arguably the best League One signing you can make in FM24. He is far too good to be playing in League Two, and would become one of the best defenders in League One.

At 24 years old, he still has a little bit of developmental growth in him, but he’s already class. Warren O’Hora will be dominant in both penalty boxes aerially, and can play a role in your defence for the next few seasons at the least.

O’Hora is wanted by a lot of teams in the Championship, which isn’t a surprise considering he’s available for £245k. But if you can persuade him to join your League One team instead, it would be an incredible signing.

Would be an ideal signing for:

Promotion pushing and title challenging League One teams.

Final Thoughts

There are a range of players on this list that would be top signings for any team in League One. If you find any other fantastic players that are willing to join your League 1 team, please comment and let us know! They might even make it into the article.

2 thoughts on “13 Best League 1 Signings in FM24

  1. Owen Dale from Blackpool is a great pick up for any promotion chasing League 1 side. Already playing in League 1 but can be picked up for £150k – £200k abd easy to get on around£4k a week. I signed him for my Barnsley team and in his first season he scored 12 goals and assisted 14 making him one of my most productive wingers.

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