Every year we hunt for Football Manager wonderkids. But the FM27 database also holds the opposite: players who should be retired and are still going. Some came back after years away, others simply never stopped. So we have gathered nine FM27 veterans you can still sign, aged between 39 and 55.
The nine veterans and each one’s best attribute in FM27
The oldest: Litmanen, Cureton and Trundle
Jari Litmanen is the most incredible case. The former Ajax, Barcelona and Liverpool number 10 retired in 2011, but came back 14 years later to play for JK Tallinna Kalev in Estonia, where his two sons also play. In FM27 he is 55, with a model citizen personality and 19 for leadership. So he is the perfect captain for one season, if you can convince him to join.
Jari Litmanen in a legends match in 2017. Photo: Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Then there is Jamie Cureton, aged 50. In 2025 he became the first player to score in all of England’s top ten tiers. So it is no surprise he has 18 for natural fitness, plus 13 for finishing. Finally, Lee Trundle, 49, plays for Welsh third-tier side Cwmbran Town and still has 17 for flair and 17 for penalties.
The forty-somethings who still do a job
First, David Silva. The former Manchester City midfielder came out of retirement in October, at 40, to sign for Sha Tin in Hong Kong. In FM27 you can only sign him from January, but it is worth it: he has 18 for technique, vision, composure, decisions and flair. In other words, he can play deeper and run the game.
Next, Radamel Falcao, also 40, has been a free agent since leaving Millonarios. Still, he has 17 for finishing, 18 for composure and 15 for heading. Also, his physicals have not fallen off a cliff yet, with 12 for balance and strength.
Radamel Falcao at Millonarios in 2024. Photo: Futbolero, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Meanwhile, Hulk may be the most useful of the lot. At 40, he went back to Fluminense and scored six goals in 14 games. In the game he has 18 for strength, 17 for long shots, 18 for free kicks and penalties, and still 11 for acceleration and pace. So he could even work in a top league, if you use him well.
The other cult heroes: Honda, Cavani and Nenê
- Keisuke Honda (39, FC Jurong): he stopped playing in 2021 to coach Cambodia, but came back and signed for a Singapore club. He has 17 for technique and 16 for corners and free kicks, although his work rate is only 5.
- Edinson Cavani (39, free agent): he left Boca Juniors but has not officially retired. So he is still in the game, with 18 for heading, leadership and work rate, and 17 for determination.
- Nenê (45, Botafogo): he was one of PSG’s stars in 2011/12 and still plays in Brazil. For example, he has 19 for penalties and 16 for passing and technique.
Are they worth signing?
It depends on the save. In a lower-league career, Hulk, Falcao or Cavani can decide a season. On the other hand, Litmanen and Cureton are mostly for fun, or to have a luxury captain and penalty taker.
Our take
We would have loved a Portuguese name here, but the list has none. Still, it is one of the best bits of every FM: opening the database and finding names from our childhood still playing. However, remember that after one season most of these players will hang up their boots for good. So enjoy them while you can. And for the other end of the age scale, see our top 50 young players in FM27.
