When it comes to FM26, one of the most satisfying aspects of the game is signing a player who helps your team succeed. Whether it be a talented wonderkid or a more complete experience pro, both give the same sense of satisfaction.
Some players seem universally popular on FM26, but who are the most popular signings in the game?
Saba Kharebashvili (Dinamo Tbilisi)
At just 16 years old, the versatile Georgian is regarded as one of the most exciting young players in his age group. In real life, he has reportedly attracted the interest of many of Europe’s elite clubs, including Spanish giants Real Madrid.
However, because he is under 18, he cannot legally move to a foreign club until he turns 18 in 2027. Despite the fact that the youngster can’t join until 2027, it is still wise to act quickly to sign him when you can in the January 2027 transfer window.
I have signed him for as little as £2.5m plus add-ons, which turns out to be one of the bargains of the game. His starting stats are highly impressive for a player of his age. By 2027, when he is available, his stats will have improved.
Eventually, he becomes a highly impressive all-around player, who I have found plays best as a left wing-back, although I have utilised him as a centre-back.
Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
The now-Manchester City player is still at Crystal Palace during the first transfer window of FM26. Like in real life, the England international is one of the most solid centre-backs in the game.
This ability is underscored by his +15 in tackling, technique, marking, leadership, and determination, among other quality stats.
If you attempt to sign him in the first transfer window, Crystal Palace demands a hefty fee of around £70 million. However, he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2026.
If you are managing a foreign club to England, he can sign a pre-contract agreement with you in January 2026. When he becomes available, he is understandably in high demand. Unless you are managing an elite club, you will struggle to nab him on a free.
Nico Paz (Como)
The Tenerife-born, Argentinian international is one of the brightest young players in world football. He has played a significant part in Como being one of the surprise packages of the 2025/26 season in Serie A.
The former Real Madrid youngster’s ability and potential are well represented in FM26. The 20-year-old can play as a central midfielder and on the right wing. However, arguably, he is best fielded as a number ten or an attacking midfielder.
His starting stats would put many senior players to shame. He has a rating of 16+ in technique, dribbling, passing, first touch, vision and determination.
With Como reluctant to sell, and Paz having sky potential, he is never a cheap player to sign. In the first transfer window, he could cost an initial fee of around £80m, plus add-ons and a high sell-on fee.
If you are managing an elite club with a big transfer budget, he is the first player you should look to sign, as, unsurprisingly, in most of my saves, he develops into one of the world’s best players.
Unfortunately, because of his outstanding ability, Paz is very rarely available at a low price. However, if you do sign him, he will produce an abundance of goals and assists for the team.
Dennis Seimen (Stuttgart, on loan at Paderborn)
The 19-year-old is on loan at Paderborn from Stuttgart in the first season of the game. However, you can negotiate a fee with Stuttgart for his permanent signing when his loan concludes. This fee can be as low as £6m, plus add-ons.
This fee will represent excellent value for money, as Seimen will become a solid goalkeeper in the future. None of his individual starting stats are remarkable, but most of his stats are in double figures.
Those stats improve with experience and the right training, with many reaching the mid-teens, which makes him a highly reliable, if not quite ‘best in the world’, goalkeeper.
Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille)
Similar to Paz, Bouaddi has established a big reputation as one of the young up-and-coming players to watch. The LOSC midfielder is just 17 in the opening transfer window, but has highly impressive stats. The highlights of his stats are +15 ratings in technique, passing, marking, and determination.
Even in the first season of the game, Bouaddi is ready for first-team football for most clubs in the top European leagues. He only gets better and becomes one of the best defensive midfielders in the game.
As you would expect from one of the brightest young players in world football, signing the Frenchman doesn’t come cheap. Lille are highly reluctant to sell, so you have to pay a fee of around £75m to nab the midfielder in the opening transfer window.
Who is the first player you sign on FM26?
