FM24 Guide: How to Find Players with Release Clauses

Finding players with release clauses in Football Manager 2024 can be a game-changing strategy for building a successful team. Release clauses provide a unique opportunity to sign high-quality players for a predetermined fee, often below their actual market value. Here’s how to identify release clauses in-game:

Use the Scouting Filter

One of the most efficient ways to find players with release clauses in Football Manager 2024 is by utilizing the Scouting Filter. This tool allows you to customize your search and pinpoint players who have specific contract details, such as release clauses. By filtering for these clauses, you can quickly identify transfer targets that match your budget and squad needs without having to manually check every player. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to Scouting:

• Go to Scouting > Players in Range

2. Add the Relevant Column:

• Right-click on the table header (any column)
• Select Insert Column > Contract > Clauses (release)
• Minimum Fee Release Clause is the traditional release clause but you can explore other type of release clauses

3. Other columns with Clauses Available and related info:

• Minimum Fee Release Clause - Expiry Date
• Non Promotion Release Clause
• Active Non Promotion Active Clause
• Relegation Release Clause
• Active Relegation Release Clause
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Clubs in a Major Continental Competition)
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Clubs in a Major Continental Competition) - Expiry Date
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Clubs in a Continental Competition)
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Clubs in a Continental Competition) - Expiry Date
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Domestic Clubs)
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Domestic Clubs) - Expiry Date
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Domestic Club Release Fee Date Change)
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Domestic Clubs in Higher Divisions)
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Domestic Clubs in Higher Divisions) - Expiry Date
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Foreign Clubs)
• Minimum Fee Release Clause (Foreign Clubs) - Expiry Date
• Non-Playing Job Offer Release Clause

Always monitor the expiry dates of release clauses, as they determine the window during which a clause can be triggered. These clauses are often active early in pre-season, providing an opportunity to address potential player departures before replacements become harder to secure. When active, these clauses allow you to trigger them offering the specified value; otherwise, you have to proceed with a regular transfer offer. 

Additionally, near the end of the season is an ideal time to review all competition-related clauses. This includes clauses triggered by non promotion, relegation, or qualification for continental competitions, as these conditions typically align with the conclusion of league campaigns. For Non Promotion and Relegation clauses they are active as soon as their clubs didn't grant promotion or didn't avoid relegation, so you can probably start to check player clauses in November for Winter championships and around April for Summer championships. Setting a reminder on your notebook it's probably a good idea to avoid losing track on early activations

If a player has a Continental Clause, you can trigger it if you are in a Continental competition and his team is not, if the player has a Major Continental clause you can trigger it if you are in a superior competition, example: You will play Champions League and his team is only playing Europa League or Conference. Sometimes you have to wait for all the continental competitions to end to define who granted participation.

4. Sort or Filter Results:

• The table will now display the information on the player’s release clause that you inserted
• You can sort this column to highlight players with affordable or high-priority release fees.

4. Set Up a New Search:

• Click on New Search
• Select Add Condition > Contract > Clauses (release) > Minimum Fee Release Clause and set a value of your choice, too see everyone with a Release Clause set Is At Least > £1.000
• You can add up any criteria you want, like age, position, specific attributes

By using this method, you can streamline your search and discover the scouted players with release clauses quickly, giving you a competitive edge in the transfer market.

Use the Players > Squad Page

By using the same method of inserting the Release Clause Column on any team Squad Page view you can have an immediate view of everyone clauses for that team. You can then cycle through all the teams in a league really quickly to spot any release clauses by clicking on the up and down arrows next the clubs badge or just using the shortcut keys ← → (left or right arrow).

Use the Contract Page

Another reliable way to find release clauses in Football Manager 2024 is by checking the Contract Page of individual players.

1. Search for Specific Players:

• If you have a player in mind, check their contract details by clicking on their profile.

2. Check Contract Clauses:

• On their contract screen, look for a section titled “Clauses,” where release clauses are listed.

Use Scout Reports

Scout reports are an excellent way to uncover players with release clauses. By assigning your scouts to search for players, their reports often highlight key contract details, including minimum fee release clauses. This allows you to identify potential transfer targets without manually checking each player’s contract, saving time and ensuring you don’t miss out on hidden gems or bargain opportunities.

Check 🇪🇸 Spanish Leagues

Spanish football regulations stipulate that every professional player contract must include a release clause. Although elite players, like those at Barcelona, Real Madrid, or Atlético Madrid, often have astronomical release clauses to deter potential suitors, Mid-table and lower-tier clubs, however, may include much more affordable clauses due to budget constraints, making these players prime targets for savvy managers.