Blog DLS Inside

Exclusive players are, without a doubt, the most coveted treasure by the Dream League Soccer community. When navigating the higher divisions of multiplayer mode, it is common to come across squads showing off legendary cards that no longer appear in the transfer market. In this guide, we explain in detail what they are, how they originate, the key rules you need to know about them, and why they are so valuable for your account.

What exactly is an Exclusive Player?

An exclusive player is a footballer's card that has been permanently removed from the game's public database. This means that:

• They will no longer appear in the transfer section of the market.
• They cannot be obtained using scouts (common, rare, or legendary).
• They are also not available through agents.

The only way an exclusive player can exist in the game for free is if you bought them with coins before the update in which First Touch Games (FTG) removed them. If they were already in your squad, the game allows you to keep them indefinitely.

Why does a player disappear from the market?

Exclusivity in Dream League Soccer is not a random decision by the developers; it primarily responds to commercial licensing (FIFPro) issues and real-world football events. There are three main reasons why a standard card becomes exclusive:

• Transfer to an unlicensed league: If a footballer leaves a licensed European club to sign with a team from a league that is not in the game (like the MLS, the Saudi Pro League, or Liga MX), their permanence depends exclusively on their national team. If their country is also unlicensed or they are no longer called up, the card disappears.
• Professional retirement: When a football legend hangs up their boots in real life, FTG removes their profile in the next major season update.
• Passing away: In unfortunate cases, out of respect for the family and legal licensing regulations, the card is removed from the market.

Special Event Players: Paid exclusivity

In addition to exclusives due to retirement or league changes, there is another highly coveted category: special event cards. Throughout the year, the game launches limited-time competitions with unique themes like Team of 2025, Dynamic Stars, or Champions editions. These cards stand out for having a distinct visual design, glowing borders, and often slightly improved stats compared to their base card.

These cards are considered exclusive because they can only be obtained for free by playing and being crowned champion of the event during that specific timeframe. However, there is a catch: FTG usually puts several of these special players back on sale in the transfer store later on, but with a major condition: they can only be acquired by paying with real money, not with in-game coins. If you want to show off these uniquely designed cards without opening your wallet, winning the events during their release week is your only chance.

The Golden Rules about your Exclusives

If you have or plan to get exclusive or special event players for your team, there are a series of game mechanics you must have burned into your memory:

• If you sell them, you lose them forever: This is the absolute rule. If you decide to release or sell a classic exclusive player to get coaches, there will be no way to buy them back with coins.
• You can keep training them: Even though the player no longer exists in the market, you can continue improving their stats using fitness and technical coaches just like any other member of your team.
• They keep their purchase stats: If you bought a player when they had their highest rating in a previous version, your card will keep its original rating and stats regardless of whether the player was downgraded (or removed) in later updates.

Why are they so valuable for your squad?

Beyond the stats they can bring on the pitch, exclusive players possess enormous intangible value. Showing off cards with special designs or retired players proves to your online opponents that you are a veteran who has been dominating the game for years. Furthermore, many older versions feature combinations of speed and shooting that are no longer found in current generations.

DLS Inside Tips for Managers

• Keep an eye on the real market: Closely follow the news about the summer and winter transfer windows. If you see that a veteran star is about to emigrate outside of Europe, buy them immediately.
• Play every event: Don't miss the weekend tournaments. It's the only way to get Team of the Year or Dynamic Stars special cards for free.
• Protect your squad: Double-check before releasing players to avoid accidentally selling a historic card that you will never be able to recover.