Locked to non contracts

Hey I'm hoping someone can help me.

I've started a game as FC Riga in Latvia and it's going well, promoted at a canter in the first season.

One problem though despite my squad having started on part time contracts (we're semi-pro) when it came to contract renewal time or wanting to sign new players I can only offer unpaid non contract deals which has resulted in me losing half a dozen players to other teams already.

Is there any way I can change this as it's going to kill my save if not. I've asked to increase the wage budget which the board boosted with no problem but it made no difference to what I could actually offer players.

If I can convince them to turn us professional will that help or could I change it in the ingame editor/FMRTE if I purchased one of them?