The best young talents from Ireland in 2023
As far as footballing countries go, the Republic of Ireland is one of the standouts.
This is not just because of its closeness to the spiritual home of the people’s game, the United Kingdom (made up of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), but because it is one of the first nations to form a national team for the sport.
Based on Overlyzer’s live football trends, here are the best young talents from Ireland.
Justin Ferizaj
18-year-old Justin Ferizaj is currently the hottest prospect in Irish football.
Having already made his senior debut with Irish club Shamrock Rovers, the Republic of Ireland under-19 midfielder has been described as having ability way beyond his age. Scouts from the biggest clubs have taken notice and he is now being linked with a move to England or across the continent of Europe.
He is of Albanian descent and has also caught the eye of the Albanian Football Association. Better yet, the immediate past President of Albania, Ilir Meta, is a big fan of the player and has praised him many times.
The Irish football governing body may not find it difficult convincing Ferizaj to pledge his senior allegiance to the boys in green, but with Albania now paying close attention, they will surely be working hard to secure his future with them.
Gavin Bazunu
At 21, the 1.89 metres tall (6 feet 2 inches) Southampton goalkeeper is already giving CaoimhÃn Kelleher (Liverpool, 24) and Mark Travers (Bournemouth, 23) a run for their money to be Ireland’s first choice goalkeeper.
First, he proved to be better than Fraser Forster at Southampton, forcing the Englishman to move on to another club (Tottenham Hotspur), and then he kept Alex McCarthy far from the starting lineup at the Premier League club to officially become the number 1.
Alongside Kelleher and Travers, he is making the Republic of Ireland stronger defensively, giving head coach Stephen Kenny a lot to think about whenever he wants to pick a starting XI.
At 21, he can serve the nation for quite some time and help them become a team that Irish football fans can be proud of in the coming years.
Evan Ferguson
These days, being able to play for Brighton and Hove Albion means you are one of the best around.
The Seagulls have established themselves as scouting geniuses in recent years. From Moises Caicedo to Jakub Moder, to Alexis Mac Allister and Kaoru Mitoma, the Premier League side have spent little to bring in quality that has made them as string as the big-spending big six of the English top flight.
After making his senior debut at 14 years old for Bohemians in the League of Ireland, Brighton went to war with Liverpool for the striker and won in 2021, sending him to their academy for a further year of development.
Less than a year later, in 2022, he was in their Premier League matchday squad and on his 18th birthday, he signed his professional contract with the club. He is now a key cog in Roberto De Zerbi’s machine as they march on slowly to a top six finish in the ongoing season.
The striker has only two caps for the boys in green which means he is open to switching to England, seeing as he has ties to the country from his mother’s side. The Irish football governing body will be working hard to keep him from switching.
Nathan Collins
The giant 1.93-metre (6 feet 4 inches) centreback is grabbing all the attention in the Premier League.
After impressing as a teenage centreback for Stoke City between 2019 and 2021, Burnley snapped him up for the 2021/22 Premier League season. He made 19 appearances for the Clarets before their relegation.
This was enough to get the other mid-table teams interested and Wolverhampton Wanderers beat the others to his signature. 18 appearances later, Collins is looking like a steal and one who could move on to a bigger club.
He is already one of Stephen Kenny’s most trusted players in the Ireland national team and has even been touted as a future captain. In that regard, the 21-year-old could look to Christian Pulisic of the United States Men’s National team and Martin Ødegaard of Norway.
Collins is also the highest valued player of Irish origin, with his current transfer value of €22 million.
Troy Parrott
The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Preston North End in the EFL Championship from Tottenham Hotspur where he spent the final years of his developmental stages.
Spurs believe so much in him that they have refused to move him on, sending him on loan to various clubs so that he can get playing time.
He is a player who is still waiting to stake a claim to being a Republic of Ireland stalwart but after his spell at Milton Keynes Dons, his game has greatly improved and he has carried that form to Preston North End, where he is being watched by other clubs and by Spurs for a possible reintegration into their side.
He is also in contention for a return to the Ireland national team squad thanks to his rapid improvement.
