There appears to be more of an emphasis on young, promising footballers in today’s beautiful game than ever before. Clubs of all shapes and sizes are always on the look out for the next big thing, not just to boost their fortunes off the pitch but their bank balances off it.
We’ve already seen teenage sensations go for astronomical fees in recent transfer windows, not least Kylian Mbappe’s mega money switch from Monaco to PSG, and as the business of football continues to grow there are bound to be many more deals just like the young Frenchman’s.
With that in mind, here are some of the outstanding talents born in the year 1999 who we believe will go on to footballing greatness…
Matthijs De Ligt
D.O.B.: 12.08.1999
Current Club: Ajax Amsterdam
Nationality: Netherlands
Current Market Value: £45million
Position: CB
Matthijs De Ligt is no unknown quantity, having already featured in the youngest ever side to play a Europa League final against Manchester United at the age of 17.
He has since not only become one of the most sought-after centre-backs, but one of the most-sought after talents in the world. The defender has risen through the ranks and even become the youngest captain in Ajax history.
His performances in the Champions League have definitely caught the eye of many, and most experts agree that De Ligt’s future will be decided in the next summer transfer window. In today’s market, who knows how high his price tag could go.
Alexander Isak
D.O.B.: 21.09.1999
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nationality: Sweden
Current Market Value: £4.05million
Position: CF
Some pundits have called him the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the tall Swede broke onto the scene at the age of 16. He became a regular starter for Swedish side AIK Solna, and subsequently became the youngest player to score in the Swedish first division.
His performances did not go unnoticed, with Borussia securing his signature during the winter 2017 transfer window. Isak went on to win the 2017 DFB Cup with Dortmund, but is yet to feature for the first team this season.
Justin Kluivert
D.O.B.: 05.05.1999
Current Club: AS Roma
Nationality: Netherlands
Current Market Value: £13.5million
Position: LW, RW
Having Kluivert as your surname is no easy task, especially when Kluivert Sr. scored 90 goals in 182 appearances for FC Barcelona.
Justin Kluivert has, however, made a name for himself, featuring in the extremely young Ajax Amsterdam side that played against Manchester United in the 2017 Europa League final.
In November 2017, the forward recorded his first hat-trick in the Dutch top flight, something his father was never able to do. In the summer of 2018, he agreed a move to AS Roma, where he has scored once and set up thrice in Serie A this season.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
D.O.B.: 25.02.1999
Current Club: AC Milan
Nationality: Italy
Current Market Value: £36million
Position: GK
Considered by many to be Gianluigi Buffon’s successor for Italy, Gianluigi Donnarumma burst onto the scene at age 16. He became AC Milan’s youngest regular starting player, playing his first season in the number one spot at just 17 years old.
Donnarumma’s meteoric rise has been well documented, with many big clubs showing their interest in signing the young Italian. Donnarumma has performed well for a struggling AC Milan side, who have failed to secure European football every season.
Donnarumma agreed to a contract extension in 2017 but whether he will do so again remains questionable. A move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs seems far more likely.
Kai Havertz
D.O.B.: 11.06.1999
Current Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Nationality: Germany
Current Market Value: £49.5million
Position: CAM, CM, RM
The young German turned many heads with his strong performances as a 17-year-old in 2016. Havertz has since managed to break into a strong Bayer Leverkusen side, who secured European football for the third straight season last time out.
Havertz’s performances have also grabbed the attention of Germany head coach Joachim Löw, having earned his first cap for his national team following a disastrous World Cup.
Havertz also earned his first start for Germany in a friendly against Russia ahead of Germany’s UEFA Nations League clash with the Netherlands. His performance drew comparisons with Mesut Ozil and Munich defender Joshua Kimmich even went as far as to say that “Havertz would be a good fit for us at Bayern.”
With his track record, it seems only a matter of time before the top clubs come knocking.
Dan-Axel Zagadou
D.O.B.: 03.06.1999
Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Nationality: France
Current Market Value: £7.2million
Position: CB, LB
The young French centre-back started his career in Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy, where he was promoted from the reserve squad at just 17 years old.
Catching the eye of Borussia Dortmund’s scouts, Zagadou was signed by the German club in 2017. The defender received his debut in October 2018, during which he scored and was sent off, leaving a mixed impression. He’s since gone on to make nine appearances in the Bundesliga, and three in the Champions League.
Reiss Nelson
D.O.B.: 10.12.1999
Current Club: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Nationality: England
Current Market Value: £6.75million
Position: RW, CAM, LW
Reiss Nelson impressed Arsene Wenger during his time in the Arsenal youth academy, regularly playing above his age group. His performances were enough to earn his first professional contract just after his 17th birthday.
It was during the 2017/18 season that Nelson made regular showings for Arsenal’s first team, featuring in the Community Shield, League Cup and Europa League. At the end of last season, he was named the PL2 Player of the Year.
Nelson signed a long-term contract at Arsenal in August 2018 before agreeing to a year-long loan spell with Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim. Whilst at Hoffenheim, Nelson has been highly effective, both in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.
Ben Woodburn
D.O.B.: 15.10.1999
Current Club: Sheffield United FC
Nationality: Wales
Current Market Value: £4.5million
Position: LW, CAM, RW
Ben Woodburn is another talent who also broke multiple “Youngest to…” records. Having been fast tracked through Liverpool’s U16s to the U18s, Woodburn’s performances impressed Jürgen Klopp so much that he was invited to train regularly with the senior squad.
After successful non-competitive first team appearances, Woodburn was given a professional contract in November 2016. Following this, the forward became Liverpool’s third-youngest debutant, as well as Liverpool’s youngest ever goal-scorer after netting in an EFL Cup quarter-final.
The following season, Woodburn regularly appeared for the U19 and reserve squads, occasionally coming on a substitute in the Premier League. He then went out on loan to Sheffield United ahead of the 2018/19 season, to gain experience and playing time.
Mile Svilar
D.O.B.: 27.08.1999
Current Club: SL Benfica
Nationality: Belgium
Current Market Value: £2.25million
Position: GK
The young Belgian-Serbian goalkeeper started his career at RSC Anderlecht, where he came up to the senior team as third choice keeper as a 17-year-old.
The following season, Portuguese champions SL Benfica signed Svilar on a five-year-deal. He then went on to break records in the Champions League, most notably becoming the youngest goalkeeper to play in the Champions League (a record held by Iker Casillas before him).
He also grabbed headlines for the best and worst reasons during the Round of 16 match against Manchester United. He became the youngest keeper to save a penalty, as well as the youngest player to score an own goal in the competition.
Evan Ndicka
D.O.B.: 20.08.1999
Current Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Nationality: France
Current Market Value: £5.4million
Position: CB, LB, CDM
Before this season, Evan Ndicka was an unknown quantity, little more than an unproven talent. However, Eintracht Frankfurt were willing to put money on the table for him, leaving many pundits with raised eyebrows.
Ndicka, however, has fulfilled his expectations and more. Following a rocky start to the season in which Frankfurt crashed spectacularly out of the DFB Cup as defending champions against fourth tier SSV Ulm, Ndicka has since stabilised the shaky Frankfurt defence, helping to keep the club challenging for the European spots in the Bundesliga.