Best U23 Young Centre-Backs in the Liga Portugal 2
10 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Centre-Backs in the Liga Portugal 2 (Sep 2026)
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index
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.
Player Rankings
Ranked by Analytical Strength Index. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.
José Sampaio
FC Vizela • 21 years old
€519K
€600K
+15.6%
Expected: €609K
21.6
Emanuel Fernandes
CD Feirense • 23 years old
€476K
€550K
+15.6%
Expected: €534K
21.4
Afonso Silva
FC Felgueiras 1932 • 22 years old
€476K
€550K
+15.6%
Expected: €558K
20.9
Lourenço
Leixões SC • 22 years old
€432K
€500K
+15.6%
Expected: €507K
19.8
Kauan
FC Paços de Ferreira • 23 years old
€303K
€350K
+15.6%
Expected: €340K
15.7
Marlon Júnior
Portimonense SAD • 21 years old
€281K
€325K
+15.6%
Expected: €330K
14.0
Mário Júnior
FC Felgueiras 1932 • 23 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €291K
13.8
Jarleysom
Portimonense SAD • 22 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €304K
13.4
Bruno Faria
Lusitânia FC Lourosa • 22 years old
€238K
€275K
+15.6%
Expected: €279K
12.3
Dário
FC Felgueiras 1932 • 22 years old
€151K
€175K
+15.6%
Expected: €178K
6.7
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Explore Market Size by Position in Liga Portugal 2
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 7 clubs with €3.9M combined value.
Age Distribution: Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs
The Liga Portugal 2 CB market shows 1 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (10 players, 100% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €3.9M, averaging €392K per player.
Top Young Centre-Backs by Age Bracket
21-23 Years (10 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 1 Young Centre-Backs (10% of players) control €600K
Market Tiers
Market structure shows concentrated value with emerging (<€5m) tier representing 100% of the Liga Portugal 2 CB pool.
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs
Among 7 Liga Portugal 2 clubs, FC Felgueiras 1932 leads with 3 Young Centre-Backs worth €1.0M (averaging €342K per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Centre-Backs.
FC Felgueiras 1932 (3 Young Centre-Backs)
Portimonense SAD (2 Young Centre-Backs)
FC Vizela (1 Young Centre-Backs)
CD Feirense (1 Young Centre-Backs)
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)
FC Vizela's José Sampaio at 21 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 1.71×. That means José Sampaio is valued 1.71× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is CD Feirense's Emanuel Fernandes, who is 23 years old, with a 1.57× PPVE. Third is Afonso Silva of FC Felgueiras 1932, who is 22 years old with a 1.57× 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 1.71× means the player is worth 71% 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 | José Sampaio FC Vizela | 21 | 21-23 | €600K | €350K | 1.71× |
| #2 | Emanuel Fernandes CD Feirense | 23 | 21-23 | €550K | €350K | 1.57× |
| #3 | Afonso Silva FC Felgueiras 1932 | 22 | 21-23 | €550K | €350K | 1.57× |
| #4 | Lourenço Leixões SC | 22 | 21-23 | €500K | €350K | 1.43× |
| #5 | Kauan FC Paços de Ferreira | 23 | 21-23 | €350K | €350K | 1.00× |
| #6 | Marlon Júnior Portimonense SAD | 21 | 21-23 | €325K | €350K | 0.93× |
| #7 | Jarleysom Portimonense SAD | 22 | 21-23 | €300K | €350K | 0.86× |
| #8 | Mário Júnior FC Felgueiras 1932 | 23 | 21-23 | €300K | €350K | 0.86× |
| #9 | Bruno Faria Lusitânia FC Lourosa | 22 | 21-23 | €275K | €350K | 0.79× |
| #10 | Dário FC Felgueiras 1932 | 22 | 21-23 | €175K | €350K | 0.50× |
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)
FC Vizela's José Sampaio at 21 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +35%. That means José Sampaio is projected to appreciate 35% as they reach their peak age in 5 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is Portimonense SAD's Marlon Júnior, who is 21 years old, with a +35% RPP (5 years to peak). Third is Lourenço of Leixões SC, who is 22 years old with a +30% RPP (4 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 35% RPP means the player is expected to gain 35% 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 | José Sampaio FC Vizela | 21 | 5 | €600K | €927K | +35% |
| #2 | Marlon Júnior Portimonense SAD | 21 | 5 | €325K | €502K | +35% |
| #3 | Lourenço Leixões SC | 22 | 4 | €500K | €719K | +30% |
| #4 | Dário FC Felgueiras 1932 | 22 | 4 | €175K | €252K | +30% |
| #5 | Jarleysom Portimonense SAD | 22 | 4 | €300K | €431K | +30% |
| #6 | Bruno Faria Lusitânia FC Lourosa | 22 | 4 | €275K | €395K | +30% |
| #7 | Afonso Silva FC Felgueiras 1932 | 22 | 4 | €550K | €791K | +30% |
| #8 | Kauan FC Paços de Ferreira | 23 | 3 | €350K | €468K | +25% |
| #9 | Mário Júnior FC Felgueiras 1932 | 23 | 3 | €300K | €401K | +25% |
| #10 | Emanuel Fernandes CD Feirense | 23 | 3 | €550K | €735K | +25% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
FC Felgueiras 1932's Dário has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 5.9. That means Dário has 1% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is Portimonense SAD's Jarleysom with a 5.9 RAU (1% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Bruno Faria of Lusitânia FC Lourosa with a 5.9 RAU (1% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 5.9 means the upside is 5.9× 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 | Dário FC Felgueiras 1932 | €178K | €156K-199K | +1% | 5.9 |
| #2 | Jarleysom Portimonense SAD | €304K | €268K-341K | +1% | 5.9 |
| #3 | Bruno Faria Lusitânia FC Lourosa | €279K | €245K-312K | +1% | 5.9 |
| #4 | Afonso Silva FC Felgueiras 1932 | €558K | €491K-625K | +1% | 5.9 |
| #5 | Lourenço Leixões SC | €507K | €446K-568K | +1% | 5.9 |
| #6 | José Sampaio FC Vizela | €609K | €525K-693K | +1% | 5.1 |
| #7 | Marlon Júnior Portimonense SAD | €330K | €284K-375K | +1% | 5.1 |
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)
FC Paços de Ferreira's Kauan in the 21-23 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +0.0%. That means José Sampaio captures 100.0% of total market value while representing only 100.0% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is Leixões SC's Lourenço with a +0.0% ASC (100.0% value share vs 100.0% player share in 21-23 bracket). Third is José Sampaio of FC Vizela with a +0.0% ASC (100.0% value vs 100.0% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +0.0% ASC means the player captures 0.0% 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 | Kauan FC Paços de Ferreira | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #2 | Lourenço Leixões SC | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #3 | José Sampaio FC Vizela | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #4 | Bruno Faria Lusitânia FC Lourosa | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #5 | Jarleysom Portimonense SAD | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #6 | Dário FC Felgueiras 1932 | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #7 | Marlon Júnior Portimonense SAD | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #8 | Mário Júnior FC Felgueiras 1932 | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #9 | Emanuel Fernandes CD Feirense | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
| #10 | Afonso Silva FC Felgueiras 1932 | 21-23 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 0.0% |
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: 0 immediate targets, 0 standard acquisitions, 10 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
No players in this category
WATCH LIST - High Upside
BUY NOW - Medium Upside
No players in this category
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 €325K. 0 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dário FC Felgueiras 1932 | €175K | €350K | -0.70 | Good Value |
Bruno Faria Lusitânia FC Lourosa | €275K | €350K | -0.30 | Fair Value |
Jarleysom Portimonense SAD | €300K | €350K | -0.20 | Fair Value |
Mário Júnior FC Felgueiras 1932 | €300K | €350K | -0.20 | Fair Value |
Marlon Júnior Portimonense SAD | €325K | €350K | -0.10 | Fair Value |
Kauan FC Paços de Ferreira | €350K | €350K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Lourenço Leixões SC | €500K | €350K | +0.60 | Above Market |
Emanuel Fernandes CD Feirense | €550K | €350K | +0.80 | Above Market |
Afonso Silva FC Felgueiras 1932 | €550K | €350K | +0.80 | Above Market |
José Sampaio FC Vizela | €600K | €350K | +1.00 | Above Market |
Market Overview: Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs 2024-25
Our database tracked 10 Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs in the 2024-25 season, representing 7 clubs with a combined market value of €3.9M. The average market value for Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs was €392K, with the average age at 22 years old.
The most valuable young centre-back in the Liga Portugal 2 was José Sampaio, worth €600K and played for FC Vizela at 21 years old. The top 5 Young Centre-Backs averaged €510K in market value, including Emanuel Fernandes and Afonso Silva.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young centre-back was José Sampaio (21 years, FC Vizela, €600K), while the oldest was Emanuel Fernandes (23 years, CD Feirense, €550K). Research shows Young Centre-Backs typically peak at age 28.
Historical analysis showed 7 Young Centre-Backs (70%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Liga Portugal 2 market for Young Centre-Backs remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2024-25 season.
How We Rank Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young centre-backs, using position-specific age curves and playing time benchmarks. The model draws from academic research on player valuation (Franck & Nüesch, 2012) and age-performance curves (Dendir, 2016).
Scoring Components for CB
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Liga Portugal 2 young centre-backs, reflecting proven track record and reputation. Uses log-scale to account for exponential value distribution at elite level.
Current Performance Proxy (30%)
Present market value for Liga Portugal 2 young centre-backs, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Defenders with 2,500+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Defenders peak at 28 with 5.0%/year decline rate. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
Liga Portugal 2 competition level factored into comparative strength assessment.
Performance Expectations Multiplier (2%)
Players at clubs with Champions League pedigree face higher performance standards and tactical complexity, contributing to development and market validation.
CB Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 28 years (balance of physicality and tactical intelligence)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 29, -10% at 30, steeper from 31 (positioning offsets pace loss)
Optimal Minutes: 2,500 per season (regular starter with rotation management)
1-Year Market Value Forecast
Probabilistic model combining age-curve depreciation, value momentum, and playing time factors:
• Age Factor: Compounding and banded around a peak of 28: +25%/year through age 21, +15% at 22-23, +10% up to the year before peak, then -5%, -10% and steeper with each later band. Growth is damped above €30M.
• Value Trajectory: Near career peak (>95% of peak value): +3% momentum | Moderate decline: -5%
• Playing Time Factor: Regular starters (+2%), Squad rotation (-2%)
• Forecast Range: ±10% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young centre-backs
• Carmichael et al. (2011): Player depreciation in top leagues
• Franck & Nüesch (2012): Hedonic pricing models for talent valuation
• Szymanski, S. (2015). Money and Soccer: A Soccernomics Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs in the 2024-25 season
Who are the most valuable Young Centre-Backs in the Liga Portugal 2 in 2024-25?
The most valuable young centre-back in the Liga Portugal 2 in 2024-25 is José Sampaio, who is worth €600K and plays for FC Vizela. The second most valuable is Emanuel Fernandes (€550K, CD Feirense), followed by Afonso Silva (€550K, FC Felgueiras 1932). Our database tracks 10 Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2024-25 season.
How are Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs ranked?
Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Centre-Backs. The score combines six factors: Historical Achievement Index (35%) measuring peak career value, Current Performance Proxy (30%) reflecting recent market signals, Playing Time Utilization (18%) tracking minutes played, Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%) using position-specific peak ages, League Quality Coefficient (3%) for Liga Portugal 2 competition level, and Club Tier Multiplier (2%) accounting for club prestige. This methodology is grounded in academic research including work by Dendir (2016) on age-performance curves and Franck & Nüesch (2012) on hedonic pricing models.
What age do Young Centre-Backs peak?
Defenders typically peak at age 28. In our valuation model, value then falls in widening steps rather than at a flat annual rate: around -5% at 29, -10% at 30, and -25% or more from 31. Research shows defenders balance physical attributes with tactical intelligence, allowing them to maintain high performance through their late 20s. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top young centre-back from the Liga Portugal 2?
Transfer fees for Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young centre-back José Sampaio (market value: €600K), estimated transfer fees would range from €480K to €840K depending on contract situation. Players with longer contracts (3+ years) command premium fees (1.2-1.4× market value), while those in the final year may be available for 0.8-1.1× market value. Our fee estimates are derived from historical transfer patterns and contract-clock modifiers validated against actual Liga Portugal 2 transactions.
What is the value forecast for Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Liga Portugal 2 Young Centre-Backs based on age-curve depreciation, historical trajectory, and playing time adjustments. The forecast combines three factors: age-based appreciation/depreciation (pre-peak players compound gains toward their position's peak age, up to +25% a year through age 21 and easing as they approach it, while post-peak players fall in widening steps), market trajectory momentum (comparing current to peak value), and playing time confidence (regular starters receive +2% boost). Forecast confidence intervals account for position-specific volatility-defenders have ±10% volatility. Young players (under 22) and older players (over 32) receive 1.15× uncertainty multipliers due to unpredictable development or decline patterns.
Where does the Liga Portugal 2 young centre-back data come from?
Our Liga Portugal 2 young centre-back data is sourced from Football Analytics AI's proprietary Transfer Intelligence Database, which aggregates market valuations, player statistics, contract information, and transfer histories from multiple industry sources. Market values are updated regularly based on player performance, injuries, contract negotiations, and transfer market activity. We enhance this data with our proprietary analytics including position-specific scoring algorithms, age-performance curves calibrated to academic research, and statistical forecast models. All data is validated against official Liga Portugal 2 sources and updated monthly for the 2024-25 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.