Discover underrated Football Manager 2024 wonderkids flying under the radar
and why you should sign them.
Let me take you back to my fourth season managing Toulouse in FM24. I’d just sold my star playmaker to PSG for a juicy £43 million, and I was desperate for a replacement. I scrolled through all the familiar names—Arda Güler, Endrick, Angelo—and suddenly I realised: I’m sick of signing the same wonderkids every save. You probably are too.
So I went on a deep scouting mission. I turned on obscure leagues, loaded up every nation I could, and dug through data like a man possessed. And what I found? Pure gold. Ten real wonderkids you can find right now in FM24 that aren’t hyped to death but can be game-changers.
These are the 10 hidden wonderkids you probably missed in FM24. Let’s fix that.
1. Jorrel Hato (CB/LB) – Ajax
With 16 crossing, 14 positioning, and 13 pace at just 17, he’s ridiculously composed and reads the game like a veteran. His ability to play both centre-back and full-back makes him incredibly flexible.
Tip: Retrain him at left-back early on and you’ll get an overlapping monster with defensive brains.
2. Maurits Kjærgaard (AMC/MC) – RB Salzburg
He stands at 192 cm, has great physical attributes and solid technical, and is basically a Scandinavian De Bruyne in disguise. Great for long-range screamers too.
Use him as: Advanced Playmaker or Mezzala. Let him run the show.
3. Antonio Nusa (LW/RW) – Club Brugge
With 15 flair, 14 acceleration and traits like "Likes to Beat Opponent Repeatedly" and "Tries Tricks", he’s a human highlight reel.
Pro tip: Focus on composure and final third decision-making in training.
4. Bilal El Khannouss (AMC) – Genk
He’s got 15 passing, 14 vision, 14 flair and a calmness in tight spaces. Add to that traits like "Looks for Pass Rather Than Attempting to Score", and you’ve got a pure creator.
Play him as: Shadow Striker for maximum impact.
5. Hakon Arnar Haraldsson (AMC) – Lille
With 17 flair, 16 determination, 14 agility, and traits like "Gets Crowd Going" and "Shoots with Power", he brings energy and unpredictability in the final third.
Development key: Rotate him gradually in Ligue 1 to build consistency.
6. Roko Šimić (ST) – RB Salzburg
Standing 190 cm tall with 16 determination, 15 work rate and 11 finishing, he’s a hard-working, no-nonsense striker. Already scored buckets in Austria.
Hot tip: Use him as a Pressing Forward in a two-striker system.
7. Noah Mbamba (DM/CB) – Bayer Leverkusen
He boasts 12 marking, 13 tackling, 12 strength and solid mental stats like 11 anticipation and 12 teamwork. Pure utility beast.
Best role: Ball-Winning Midfielder – lets him use his pace and aggression.
8. Pape Demba Diop (MC) – Zulte Waregem
His standout stats include 14 stamina, 13 work rate, 12 flair and 12 long shots. He’s got the legs and instinct to dominate box-to-box.
Development advice: Snag him early and loan him to a top-flight club.
9. Roger Fernandes (LW) – SC Braga
He has 15 dribbling, 14 technique, 15 acceleration and 18 flair! A magician on the wing. Player traits like "Tries Tricks" and "Shoots from Distance" make him a goal threat too.
Scout tip: Focus on physical development for his breakthrough season.
10. Jobe Bellingham (AMC/MC) – Sunderland
He’s 188 cm, with 14 first touch, 14 technique, and 12 vision. Also surprisingly well-rounded physically, and with traits suited for deeper roles or box-to-box surges.
Bonus: You can probably still get him cheap before he blows up.
READ NEXT: 9 Cheap FM24 Signings to Flip for Profit
Final Thoughts
There you go—ten hidden wonderkids you probably never signed in FM24. They’re not the flashy, overhyped names everyone fights over. These lads are the backbone of a creative save, the kind of players that make your story unique.
If you’re tired of always ending up with the same wonderkid shortlist, go off the beaten path. Scout obscure leagues. Use your data hub. Follow youth tournaments. Because when you find one of these hidden gems, that is what makes Football Manager magic.
Got a hidden gem you swear by? Drop it in the comments or DM me. I’m always up for a good wonderkid debate.
See you in the dugout!