Breaking into the Premier League is a dream come true for any young footballer, and a few lucky talents make this leap at an incredibly young age.
Here’s a look at the 12 youngest players to debut in the Premier League, ranked from youngest to oldest, and what their careers look like today.
12. Angel Gomes (Manchester United)
At 16 years old, Angel Gomes debuted for Manchester United on the final day of the 2016-17 season, becoming the first Premier League player born in the 2000s. After limited opportunities at Old Trafford, Gomes moved to Lille, where he continues his career following a loan stint at Boavista.
11. Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Hailed as a midfield prodigy, Jack Wilshere made his Premier League debut at 16 in 2008. Known for a standout performance against Barcelona in the 2011 Champions League, his career was hampered by injuries. He eventually retired in 2022 and now coaches Arsenal’s U18 team.
10. Jack Robinson (Liverpool)
Robinson became Liverpool’s youngest-ever player at 16 in 2010. Known for a record-breaking nine-year gap between his first two league starts, he eventually left Liverpool and now plays for Sheffield United in the Championship.
9. Reece Oxford (West Ham United)
Oxford debuted at 16 with West Ham and made a statement by earning Man of the Match in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal. Though he only made seven more Premier League appearances, Oxford found a fresh start with FC Augsburg in Germany, where he currently plays.
8. Gary McSheffrey (Coventry City)
At 16, McSheffrey made his Premier League debut for Coventry City in 1999 and went on to make over 40 appearances. Spending much of his career in the Championship and League One, McSheffrey eventually retired in 2020.
7. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy (Aston Villa)
Hepburn-Murphy set a club record by debuting at 16 with Aston Villa in 2015. Despite the promise, he made only one more league appearance and currently plays for Crawley Town in the third division, following multiple loan spells.
6. Jose Baxter (Everton)
Debuting for Everton at 16, Baxter became the youngest player in club history, even surpassing Wayne Rooney. Unfortunately, he struggled to maintain a first-team spot and moved to lower-league clubs before ultimately retiring.
5. Aaron Lennon (Leeds United)
Lennon, at just 16 years and 129 days, made his Premier League debut with Leeds and later joined Tottenham, where he played over 260 league games. Known for being the youngest player to record an assist, Lennon retired after a successful career that included stints with Everton, Burnley, and Kayserispor.
4. Izzy Brown (Chelsea)
Debuting for Chelsea at 16, Brown was highly regarded but played only once for the club. After years on loan, his best season came with Brighton, but injuries forced him to retire in 2023, ending a career that never quite reached its potential.
3. Mathew Briggs (Fulham)
At 16 years and 68 days, Briggs held the record for the youngest Premier League player for 12 years. However, regular playing time eluded him, and he eventually moved to lower leagues, retiring in 2023 after a steady career in English football.
2. Harvey Elliott (Fulham/Liverpool)
Elliott debuted with Fulham at 16, showing immense potential despite the team’s relegation. He moved to Liverpool soon after, where he has become a key part of the squad, marking a promising future for the young star.
1. Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
Nwaneri shattered records by debuting at just 15 years and 181 days in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Brentford. As the first Premier League player under 16, he made headlines and continues to develop with the Gunners, recently scoring twice against Bolton, hinting at a bright future ahead.
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