10 Best Wonderkid Strikers in FM26 - FMBrotherhood
Endrick in 2035
FM26

10 Best Wonderkid Strikers in FM26

By callum | October 24, 2025 | 2232 Views

Best FM26 Wonderkid Strikers

FM26 is finally here! We haven’t had a new game for 2 years, which means there are loads of new players to sign.

So who are the best FM26 wonderkid strikers? We’ve gone 10 seasons into the future to see how players develop, so you can see how good these strikers could become in your save if you sign them. We also tell you if they’re available to sign in the first window, and how much they’ll cost you.

If you’re also looking for wonderkid centre backs for your FM26 save, have a look at this article.

What are FM26 Wonderkid Strikers?

All of the strikers in this article are aged 20 or younger at the start of your FM26 save. We’ve focused on strikers who have the attributes you’re looking for in top strikers, including finishing, composure, pace, heading, and more.

It’s important to note that there is no guarantee that these players will develop the same in your FM26 save. They could be worse, or even better!

10. Babis Kostoulas in FM26

Babis Kostoulas in FM26

Kostoulas is a versatile wonderkid striker in FM26 who’s recently signed for Brighton. We all know Brighton’s amazing track record when it comes to spotting young talent with loads of potential, and Babis Kostoulas is no different.

His best attributes at the start of the game are 15 aggression, 16 work rate, and 16 determination. He’s capable of playing first team football in top divisions at just 18 years of age.

Babis Kostoulas in 2035

Babis Kostoulas in 2035

Kostoulas has seen some massive growth 10 seasons in. His composure has risen by 5, and his finishing has improved by 3.

With 16 dribbling, flair, and technique, Babis Kostoulas is the kind of striker who’s more than just a poacher. He’s a great fit for teams that like to keep the ball and use short, quick passing combinations to break down their opposition.

9. Artem Stepanov in FM26

Artem Stepanov in FM26

Stepanov is a new wonderkid striker to Football Manager. At just 17 years old, he has some raw attributes, but also some clear signs of top-level potential. 16 jumping reach, 15 strength, 12 heading, alongside being 6 foot 4, makes Stepanov one of the best target man wonderkid strikers in FM26.

He’s on loan at Nurnberg from Bayer Leverkusen in season one, so you’ll need to wait at least a season to sign him. However, at the start of the game his value is really low considering his potential, so definitely add him to your shortlist to revisit in the 2nd season.

Artem Stepanov in 2035

Artem Stepanov in 2035

Stepanov is so young that he’s only just entering his prime 10 years into your FM26 save. There’s been some excellent development in some of his attributes, including composure from 8 to 16, and decisions from 8 to 15. These attributes make this wonderkid striker much better in the final third.

What clearly stands out for Stepanov when he reaches his potential is his physical attributes. 5/8 are rated 16 or higher, including 17 pace and 18 jumping reach.

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8. Poyraz Yildirim in FM26

Poyraz Yildirim in FM26

At a first glance, Poyraz Yildirim looks extremely raw. However, he has great determination and work rate, which paired with a driven personality gives him the tools to be one of the best FM26 wonderkid strikers.

He isn’t the quickest, but he’s 6ft 3 and has some promising technical attributes to hold up the ball, link play, and bring others into attacks. He’s on loan at Antalyaspor at the start of your FM26 save, so you’ll need to wait a season before signing him.

Poyraz Yildirim in 2035

Poyraz Yildirim in 2035

Out of all these FM26 wonderkid strikers, Poyraz Yildirim has arguably seen the most growth considering his attributes at the start of the game. His composure has improved from 9 to 14, his pace from 13 to 16, and his off the ball movement has increased by 4.

21 goals in 49 appearances for Turkey shows Yildirim can score plenty of goals in his prime. Keep an eye on him in the first few seasons of your FM26 save, because he could be available for a cheap price.

7. Jayden Danns in FM26

Jayden Danns in FM26

Danns is an exciting English wonderkid coming through the Liverpool academy. At 19 years old, he’s looking for more regular first team football. You can sign him in season 1 but he’ll cost you around ยฃ17.5 million.

If you’re willing to pay the money for him, I’d strongly recommend either loaning him out, or making him your 2nd choice striker and giving him minutes off the bench and in cup matches.

Jayden Danns in 2035

Jayden Danns in 2035

In our FM26 save, Danns ended up moving from Liverpool to domestic rivals Arsenal! He’s also become an England international, and developed into a great striker.

I would say that Danns has a similar play style to Harry Kane. He’s a technically gifted deep-lying forward who has world class vision and technique, so can bring his teammates into the game. His finishing, composure, and off the ball movement ratings mean he has no issues scoring goals.

6. Mohamed Kader Meite in FM26

Mohamed Kader Meite in FM26

Mohamed Kader Meite is only 17 years old at the start of your FM26 save. For a player of that age, he’s already got some brilliant attributes, including 14 finishing and heading. The 6ft 4 striker also has 15 jumping reach, so he’s a brilliant target man.

You can sign him in the first transfer window for ยฃ16 million, which is fantastic value considering the potential he has!

Mohamed Kader Meite in 2035

Mohamed Kader Meite in 2035

Kader Meite in his prime has fantastic physical attributes, such as 16 pace, agility, and strength. He’s also developed 7 traits, including placing his shots, and trying tricks.

He’s Liverpool’s starting striker in our 10 year simulation, showing that the initial ยฃ16 million investment in year 1 can turn into a world-class forward capable of scoring 25+ goals a season.

5. Marc Guiu in FM26

Marc Guiu in FM26

Marc Guiu is an exciting Spanish striker who is part of the many young players Chelsea are looking to sign in real life.

In real life, Guiu was on loan at Sunderland, but was quickly recalled after Liam Delap got a long term injury for Chelsea. He’s loan listed at the start of your FM26 save, and if you can I would definitely recommend trying to add an option to buy in there, because this wonderkid striker’s potential in FM26 is excellent.

Marc Guiu in 2035

Marc Guiu in 2035

If Guiu is going to develop this well in you FM26 save, he is going to need game time from the very start. Guiu had 2 loans in his first 2 seasons, helping him become a top striker.

He’s very well rounded, especially physically, which combined with 16 finishing, flair, and off the ball movement, makes him a player who can score goals for fun.

4. Evan Ferguson in FM26

Evan Ferguson in FM26

Even Ferguson has been a wonderkid striker for the last few years on Football Manager. It feels like he’s been around for ages, but he’s still only 20 years old! He’s a well-rounded striker, with great pace, first touch, and off the ball movement.

Ferguson has struggled with serious injuries for the last few years, and his game time at Brighton has been limited. He’s moved on loan to Roma to get some regular first team football. Because of this, Ferguson can’t be signed in the first season.

Evan Ferguson in 2035

Evan Ferguson in 2035

You can see that in FM26 this wonderkid striker is a goalscoring machine! He’s got 70 goals in 108 caps for Ireland, and has developed into an excellent striker. Ferguson’s 16 finishing, 17 pace, and 16 anticipation give him the ability to consistently find space and punish defenders with clinical precision.

His weak foot is also considered ‘fairly strong’ meaning he’s confident using both feet in front of goal.

Evan Ferguson is strong, quick, good on the ball, and has a lethal finish. An excellent wonderkid striker to sign if you’ve got the money!

3. Francesco Pio Esposito in FM26

Francesco Pio Esposito in FM26Francesco Pio Esposito is a wonderkid striker who will be known to lots of FM players. As he gets older, he continues to develop nicely, having 15 finishing, heading, and off the ball movement. At 6ft2, Esposito is a striker who can find the back of the net with both his feet and his head.

Esposito is available to sign in the first transfer window. He’ll cost you around ยฃ20 million, which is great value for money considering his potential.

Francesco Pio Esposito in 2035

Francesco Pio Esposito in 2035

In our FM26 simulation, Esposito becomes one of the best strikers in the game. He’s got an impressive 21 goals in 62 appearances for Italy, and is worth over ยฃ100 million.

Esposito’s mental attributes have developed nicely. His composure has increased from 13 to 16, and his vision has improved from 11 to 14. He would make a great poacher or target forward for your team.

2. Santiago Castro in FM26

Santiago Castro in FM26

Castro is definitely one of the best FM26 wonderkid strikers. At the age of 20, he’s already leading the line for Serie A side Bologna, and has some very desirable attributes. 18 work rate and determination mean that Castro is really driven to make it to the top, and will work hard in training to maximise his potential.

Because he’s so good, he’s expensive. You can sign him in season one, but he’ll cost you ยฃ60 million!

Santiago Castro in 2035

Santiago Castro in 2035

In his prime, Castro’s mental attributes are ridiculously good. 7 of these are rated 16 or higher, including his vision, making him an excellent striker for linking up with his teammates.

Out of possession, his high work rate and aggression make him a fantastic presser of the ball. If you want to play a system that looks to win the ball back high up the pitch, this is the FM26 wonderkid striker you want to sign.

1. Endrick – Best FM26 Wonderkid Striker

Endrick in FM26

It probably comes to no surprise to a lot of you, but Endrick is the best wonderkid striker in FM26. The Real Madrid player is getting limited minutes in real life, but shows his excellent talent every time he steps on the pitch.

Endrick’s standout attributes are 16 acceleration, 17 flair, and 18 natural fitness, which will help with his longevity as he gets older.

Endrick in 2035

Endrick in 2035 In his prime, Endrick looks unbelievable! Apart from his poor jumping reach (he’s 5ft 8 tbf) all of his physical attributes are outstanding.

He’s such an entertaining wonderkid striker to have in your team. 18 flair paired with the attempts overhead kicks and tries tricks traits means he frequently produces highlight-reel moments that few players in the game can replicate.

If you ever have the riches to sign the best wonderkid striker in FM26, he will be well worth it.

Final Thoughts

As you can see there are plenty of amazing FM26 wonderkid strikers to choose from to lead the line in your save. If you’re looking for a striker to sign in the first transfer window, then consider Esposito or Kader Meite. However, keep an eye out for Endrick, as if he doesn’t get much game time at Real Madrid, he might be available for a cut price 2-3 seasons in.

Now that you’ve got a wonderkid striker, get yourself a wonderkid left winger too.

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