So my player was Paulo Costa - i tried to get my demoted player back by doing the below;
Got the board to agree to a trialist day, which included Paulo Costa in trialist team 1, once the trialist game was played he got released as a free agent (test 1) (test one he wouldn't agree a new contract with me and was lost)
I quit (without saving), reloaded and re ran the steps above - this time offering him a contract before the trialist game, this resulted in him being released again, but whilst considering an offer, which he eventually accepted. This resulted in Costa being back in my first team..... but as a Free Agent with no contract. I offered Costa another contract - which he accepted.... this led to me having 2 Paulo Costa's in my first team - both as free agents. I offered Paulo a contract again... now i have 3 Free Agent Costas - screenshots attached
double costa.docx