Best U23 Young Centre-Backs in the World
224 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Centre-Backs in the World (Jun 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Market Overview: World Young Centre-Backs 2024-25
Our database tracked 224 World Young Centre-Backs in the 2024-25 season, representing 191 clubs with a combined market value of €966.3M. The average market value for World Young Centre-Backs was €4.3M, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young centre-back in the World was Dean Huijsen, worth €70.0M and played for Real Madrid at 21 years old. The top 5 Young Centre-Backs averaged €61.0M in market value, including Pau Cubarsí and Leny Yoro.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young centre-back was Virgilio Olaya (18 years, SD Aucas, €1.2M), while the oldest was Murillo (23 years, Nottingham Forest, €55.0M). Research shows Young Centre-Backs typically peak at age 27.
Historical analysis showed 224 Young Centre-Backs (100%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The World market for Young Centre-Backs remained highly competitive with significant transfer activity in the 2024-25 season.
💡 Use the search bar below to find specific players, or apply filters to narrow results by club, age range, or market value. Click the chart icon next to any player to view their historical value trajectory and forecast.
Explore Market Size by Position in World
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all World Young Centre-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 191 clubs with €966.3M combined value.
Age Distribution: World Young Centre-Backs
The World CB market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (185 players, 83% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €703.9M, averaging €3.8M per player.
Top Young Centre-Backs by Age Bracket
U21 Years (39 players)
21-23 Years (185 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 23 Young Centre-Backs (10% of players) control €652.0M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows distributed value with elite (€50m+) tier representing 2% of the World CB pool.
Elite (€50M+)
Premium (€30-50M)
High (€15-30M)
Club Distribution: World Young Centre-Backs
Among 191 World clubs, FC Barcelona leads with 1 Young Centre-Backs worth €80.0M (averaging €80.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 8% of tracked Young Centre-Backs.
FC Barcelona (1 Young Centre-Backs)
Real Madrid (1 Young Centre-Backs)
Nottingham Forest (2 Young Centre-Backs)
Manchester United (2 Young Centre-Backs)
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
Dean Huijsen
Real Madrid • 21 years old
€60.5M
€70.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €80.3M
93.3
Pau Cubarsí
FC Barcelona • 19 years old
€69.2M
€80.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €99.1M
91.1
Leny Yoro
Manchester United • 20 years old
€47.6M
€55.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €65.6M
87.0
Murillo
Nottingham Forest • 23 years old
€47.6M
€55.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €61.3M
83.8
Ousmane Diomande
Sporting CP • 22 years old
€38.9M
€45.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €49.6M
74.4
Luka Vuskovic
Hamburger SV • 19 years old
€34.6M
€40.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €49.6M
71.9
Joel Ordóñez
Club Brugge KV • 22 years old
€24.2M
€28.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €29.6M
53.6
Mamadou Sarr
RC Strasbourg Alsace • 20 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €28.7M
50.9
Giorgio Scalvini
Atalanta BC • 22 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €26.5M
50.9
Konstantinos Koulierakis
VfL Wolfsburg • 22 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €26.5M
50.9
Renato Veiga
Villarreal CF • 22 years old
€21.6M
€25.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €26.5M
50.9
Lucas Beraldo
Paris Saint-Germain • 22 years old
€17.3M
€20.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €21.2M
46.0
Ismaël Doukouré
RC Strasbourg Alsace • 22 years old
€15.6M
€18.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €19.1M
43.8
Ryan Flamingo
PSV Eindhoven • 23 years old
€14.7M
€17.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €18.2M
42.9
Yarek Gasiorowski
PSV Eindhoven • 21 years old
€13.8M
€16.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €17.6M
41.1
Nnamdi Collins
Eintracht Frankfurt • 22 years old
€13.0M
€15.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €15.9M
40.8
Javi Rodríguez
Celta de Vigo • 22 years old
€13.0M
€15.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €15.9M
40.8
Christian Mawissa
AS Monaco • 21 years old
€13.0M
€15.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €16.5M
40.3
Noahkai Banks
FC Augsburg • 19 years old
€13.0M
€15.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €17.9M
39.6
CJ Egan-Riley
Olympique Marseille • 23 years old
€10.4M
€12.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €12.8M
38.4
Scout Tools
Advanced analytics for scouting and recruitment decisions. Each tool provides unique insights into player value, potential, and market dynamics.
Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Identifies pre-peak players offering exceptional value relative to their age bracket. Higher PPVE = better value.
Understanding Pre-Peak Value Efficiency (PPVE)
Real Madrid's Dean Huijsen at 21 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 93.33×. That means Dean Huijsen is valued 93.33× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is FC Barcelona's Pau Cubarsí, who is 19 years old, with a 80.00× PPVE. Third is Murillo of Nottingham Forest, who is 23 years old with a 73.33× PPVE.
How PPVE is calculated: PPVE compares a player's current market value to the median value of all players in their age bracket. A PPVE of 93.33× means the player is worth 9233% more than typical players their age-making them high-value targets before they reach peak value.
PPVE by Age Bracket
| Rank | Player | Age | Bracket | Current Value | Bracket Median | PPVE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Dean Huijsen Real Madrid | 21 | 21-23 | €70.0M | €750K | 93.33× |
| #2 | Pau Cubarsí FC Barcelona | 19 | U21 | €80.0M | €1.0M | 80.00× |
| #3 | Murillo Nottingham Forest | 23 | 21-23 | €55.0M | €750K | 73.33× |
| #4 | Ousmane Diomande Sporting CP | 22 | 21-23 | €45.0M | €750K | 60.00× |
| #5 | Leny Yoro Manchester United | 20 | U21 | €55.0M | €1.0M | 55.00× |
| #6 | Luka Vuskovic Hamburger SV | 19 | U21 | €40.0M | €1.0M | 40.00× |
| #7 | Joel Ordóñez Club Brugge KV | 22 | 21-23 | €28.0M | €750K | 37.33× |
| #8 | Giorgio Scalvini Atalanta BC | 22 | 21-23 | €25.0M | €750K | 33.33× |
| #9 | Konstantinos Koulierakis VfL Wolfsburg | 22 | 21-23 | €25.0M | €750K | 33.33× |
| #10 | Renato Veiga Villarreal CF | 22 | 21-23 | €25.0M | €750K | 33.33× |
| #11 | Lucas Beraldo Paris Saint-Germain | 22 | 21-23 | €20.0M | €750K | 26.67× |
| #12 | Mamadou Sarr RC Strasbourg Alsace | 20 | U21 | €25.0M | €1.0M | 25.00× |
| #13 | Ismaël Doukouré RC Strasbourg Alsace | 22 | 21-23 | €18.0M | €750K | 24.00× |
| #14 | Ryan Flamingo PSV Eindhoven | 23 | 21-23 | €17.0M | €750K | 22.67× |
| #15 | Yarek Gasiorowski PSV Eindhoven | 21 | 21-23 | €16.0M | €750K | 21.33× |
| #16 | Christian Mawissa AS Monaco | 21 | 21-23 | €15.0M | €750K | 20.00× |
| #17 | Javi Rodríguez Celta de Vigo | 22 | 21-23 | €15.0M | €750K | 20.00× |
| #18 | Nnamdi Collins Eintracht Frankfurt | 22 | 21-23 | €15.0M | €750K | 20.00× |
| #19 | CJ Egan-Riley Olympique Marseille | 23 | 21-23 | €12.0M | €750K | 16.00× |
| #20 | Jan-Carlo Simić Al-Ittihad Club | 21 | 21-23 | €12.0M | €750K | 16.00× |
Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
Recovery potential from current value to forecasted peak. Shows how much upside remains for players approaching their prime.
Understanding Return-to-Peak Potential (RPP)
SD Aucas's Virgilio Olaya at 18 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +44%. That means Virgilio Olaya is projected to appreciate 44% as they reach their peak age in 8 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is RB Leipzig's Jonathan Norbye, who is 19 years old, with a +40% RPP (7 years to peak). Third is Lazar Stefanović of Toronto FC, who is 19 years old with a +40% RPP (7 years to peak).
How RPP is calculated: RPP compares a player's current market value to their forecasted peak value, calculating the percentage appreciation potential. A 44% RPP means the player is expected to gain 44% value as they enter their prime-making them excellent growth investments.
Recovery Potential by Player
| Rank | Player | Age | Years to Peak | Current | Peak Forecast | RPP % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Virgilio Olaya SD Aucas | 18 | 8 | €1.2M | €2.1M | +44% |
| #2 | Jonathan Norbye RB Leipzig | 19 | 7 | €300K | €499K | +40% |
| #3 | Lazar Stefanović Toronto FC | 19 | 7 | €300K | €499K | +40% |
| #4 | Arda Ünyay Galatasaray | 19 | 7 | €1.0M | €1.7M | +40% |
| #5 | Naoufel El Hannach Montpellier HSC | 19 | 7 | €1.2M | €2.0M | +40% |
| #6 | Lautaro Dufur CA Rentistas | 19 | 7 | €250K | €415K | +40% |
| #7 | Nidal Celik RC Lens | 19 | 7 | €1.0M | €1.7M | +40% |
| #8 | Noahkai Banks FC Augsburg | 19 | 7 | €15.0M | €24.9M | +40% |
| #9 | Rui Silva SL Benfica B | 19 | 7 | €350K | €582K | +40% |
| #10 | João Fonseca SL Benfica B | 19 | 7 | €600K | €997K | +40% |
| #11 | Joachim Kayi Sanda Southampton FC | 19 | 7 | €1.2M | €2.0M | +40% |
| #12 | Tobías Ramírez AA Argentinos Juniors | 19 | 7 | €2.5M | €4.2M | +40% |
| #13 | Bright Ede Motor Lublin | 19 | 7 | €1.5M | €2.5M | +40% |
| #14 | Luka Vuskovic Hamburger SV | 19 | 7 | €40.0M | €66.5M | +40% |
| #15 | Pau Cubarsí FC Barcelona | 19 | 7 | €80.0M | €133.0M | +40% |
| #16 | Ashley Phillips Stoke City | 20 | 6 | €3.0M | €4.6M | +35% |
| #17 | Pietro Comi Atalanta U23 | 20 | 6 | €350K | €541K | +35% |
| #18 | Juan Giménez CA Rosario Central | 20 | 6 | €2.5M | €3.9M | +35% |
| #19 | Jon Martín Real Sociedad | 20 | 6 | €10.0M | €15.5M | +35% |
| #20 | Joseph Jones Kryvbas Kryvyi Rig | 20 | 6 | €275K | €425K | +35% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Hamburger SV's Luka Vuskovic has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 70.0. That means Pau Cubarsí has 24% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is FC Barcelona's Pau Cubarsí with a 70.0 RAU (24% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Virgilio Olaya of SD Aucas with a 68.9 RAU (23% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 70.0 means the upside is 70.0× greater than the uncertainty-making it a high-confidence growth opportunity. Target RAU ≥2.0 for balanced risk-reward.
Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player
| Rank | Player | Expected | Range | Upside % | RAU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Luka Vuskovic Hamburger SV | €49.6M | €42.7M-56.4M | +24% | 70.0 |
| #2 | Pau Cubarsí FC Barcelona | €99.1M | €85.5M-112.8M | +24% | 70.0 |
| #3 | Virgilio Olaya SD Aucas | €1.5M | €1.3M-1.7M | +23% | 68.9 |
| #4 | Leny Yoro Manchester United | €65.6M | €56.6M-74.7M | +19% | 58.7 |
| #5 | Jonathan Norbye RB Leipzig | €357K | €308K-407K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #6 | Lazar Stefanović Toronto FC | €357K | €308K-407K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #7 | Naoufel El Hannach Montpellier HSC | €1.4M | €1.2M-1.6M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #8 | João Fonseca SL Benfica B | €714K | €616K-813K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #9 | Joachim Kayi Sanda Southampton FC | €1.4M | €1.2M-1.6M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #10 | Rui Silva SL Benfica B | €417K | €359K-474K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #11 | Arda Ünyay Galatasaray | €1.2M | €1.0M-1.4M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #12 | Lautaro Dufur CA Rentistas | €298K | €257K-339K | +19% | 58.0 |
| #13 | Nidal Celik RC Lens | €1.2M | €1.0M-1.4M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #14 | Tobías Ramírez AA Argentinos Juniors | €3.0M | €2.6M-3.4M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #15 | Bright Ede Motor Lublin | €1.8M | €1.5M-2.0M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #16 | Noahkai Banks FC Augsburg | €17.9M | €15.4M-20.3M | +19% | 58.0 |
| #17 | Dean Huijsen Real Madrid | €80.3M | €69.2M-91.4M | +15% | 46.6 |
| #18 | Vince Osuji Club Brugge KV | €1.1M | €988K-1.3M | +15% | 46.3 |
| #19 | Diego Saavedra Gualberto Villarroel San José | €258K | €222K-294K | +15% | 46.3 |
| #20 | Tobias Slotsager Hellas Verona | €2.3M | €2.0M-2.6M | +15% | 46.3 |
Roster Pressure Index (RPI)
Squad depth pressure based on Z-score distribution. Negative RPI = thin depth, positive = deep roster.
What This Shows
Z-Score explained: Measures how many standard deviations a player's strength is from the position average. Z-Score = 0 means average, +1.0 is one standard deviation above average, -1.0 is below average.
How to use: RPI < -1.0 indicates critical depth shortage. These positions need immediate reinforcement. RPI > +1.0 suggests strong depth, allowing selective, high-value additions only.
Current market: young centre-back position shows strong depth (avg Z-score: 0.00). RPI: 0.00.
Position Depth Analysis
Highest Z-Scores
Lowest Z-Scores
Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.
Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)
AA Argentinos Juniors's Tobías Ramírez in the U21 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +9.7%. That means Pau Cubarsí captures 27.1% of total market value while representing only 17.4% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is CA Rosario Central's Juan Giménez with a +9.7% ASC (27.1% value share vs 17.4% player share in U21 bracket). Third is Juan Villalba of Club Atlético Tigre with a +9.7% ASC (27.1% value vs 17.4% players in U21 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +9.7% ASC means the player captures 9.7% more market value than their numerical representation-indicating marquee status. ASC > +15% = elite dominance, ASC < -15% = potential value targets.
Value Concentration by Player
| Rank | Player | Age Bracket | Value Share | Player Share | ASC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Tobías Ramírez AA Argentinos Juniors | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #2 | Juan Giménez CA Rosario Central | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #3 | Juan Villalba Club Atlético Tigre | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #4 | Jonathan Norbye RB Leipzig | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #5 | Lazar Stefanović Toronto FC | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #6 | Jon Martín Real Sociedad | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #7 | Georgios Katris Panathinaikos FC | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #8 | Arda Ünyay Galatasaray | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #9 | Frederik Roslyng Holstein Kiel | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #10 | Naoufel El Hannach Montpellier HSC | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #11 | Joseph Jones Kryvbas Kryvyi Rig | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #12 | Lautaro Dufur CA Rentistas | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #13 | Taylan Aydın Kasimpasa | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #14 | Juan David Sánchez Deportivo Táchira | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #15 | Filipe Bordon FC Südtirol | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #16 | Bright Ede Motor Lublin | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #17 | Virgilio Olaya SD Aucas | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #18 | Vince Osuji Club Brugge KV | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #19 | Thiago Silvero CA Vélez Sarsfield | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
| #20 | Diego Saavedra Gualberto Villarroel San José | U21 | 27.1% | 17.4% | +9.7% |
Buy-Now vs Wait-List Map
Categorizes players by age position and upside potential to guide timing of acquisition.
What This Shows
How to use:"Buy Now - High Upside" = immediate priority targets."Watch List" = monitor for 6-12 months."Peak" = pay premium for proven performers."Aging" = short-term depth only.
Current market: 16 immediate targets, 208 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
WATCH LIST - High Upside
No players in this category
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
PEAK Players
No players in this category
Price vs Peer Z-Score
IQR-based pricing analysis relative to position peers. Identifies over/undervalued players vs market.
What This Shows
How to use: Z-score < -1.5 = significantly undervalued (potential bargain). Z-score > +1.5 = premium pricing (requires strong justification). Within ±1.0 = fair market value.
Current market: Position median is €7.0M. 0 undervalued, 39 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Murillo Nottingham Forest | €55.0M | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
David Odogu AC Milan | €5.0M | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Leny Yoro Manchester United | €55.0M | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Noahkai Banks FC Augsburg | €15.0M | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Junior Diaz Stade Brestois 29 | €5.0M | €800K | -0.42 | Fair Value |
Diego Saavedra Gualberto Villarroel San José | €225K | €800K | -0.42 | Fair Value |
André Amaro Al-Rayyan SC | €5.0M | €800K | -0.42 | Fair Value |
Fedde Leysen Union Saint-Gilloise | €5.0M | €800K | -0.42 | Fair Value |
Ahmetcan Kaplan NEC Nijmegen | €5.0M | €800K | -0.42 | Fair Value |
Victor Gabriel Sport Club Internacional | €5.0M | €800K | -0.42 | Fair Value |
Lautaro Dufur CA Rentistas | €250K | €800K | -0.39 | Fair Value |
Matteo Duțu FC Dinamo 1948 | €250K | €800K | -0.39 | Fair Value |
Joseph Jones Kryvbas Kryvyi Rig | €275K | €800K | -0.36 | Fair Value |
Juan David Sánchez Deportivo Táchira | €275K | €800K | -0.36 | Fair Value |
Juan Villalba Club Atlético Tigre | €300K | €800K | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Jonathan Norbye RB Leipzig | €300K | €800K | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Lazar Stefanović Toronto FC | €300K | €800K | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Taylan Aydın Kasimpasa | €300K | €800K | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Thiago Silvero CA Vélez Sarsfield | €300K | €800K | -0.33 | Fair Value |
Adam Nygaard FC Fredericia | €300K | €800K | -0.33 | Fair Value |