Under 23 · MLS · 2023-24

Best U23 Young Centre-Backs in the MLS

1 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Score

Best Young Centre-Backs in the MLS (Apr 2026)

Ranked by Analytical Strength Score

Market Overview: MLS Young Centre-Backs 2023-24

Our database tracked 1 MLS Young Centre-Backs in the 2023-24 season, representing 1 clubs with a combined market value of €3.0M. The average market value for MLS Young Centre-Backs was €3.0M, with the average age at 22.0 years old.

The most valuable young centre-back in the MLS was Fallou Fall, worth €3.0M and played for St. Louis CITY SC at 22 years old.

Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young centre-back was Fallou Fall (22 years, St. Louis CITY SC, €3.0M), while the oldest was Fallou Fall (22 years, St. Louis CITY SC, €3.0M). Research shows Young Centre-Backs typically peak at age 27.

Historical analysis showed 1 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 MLS market for Young Centre-Backs remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2023-24 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.

Market Intelligence

Explore Market Size by Position in MLS

Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all MLS Young Centre-Backs. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 1 clubs with €3.0M combined value.

Players Tracked

By League

Premier League La Liga Bundesliga Serie A Ligue 1

By Position

GK CB LB RB CDM

More Positions

CM CAM LW RW ST

By Season

2025-26 2024-25 2023-24 2022-23

Age Distribution: MLS Young Centre-Backs

The MLS CB market shows 1 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (1 players, 100% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €3.0M, averaging €3.0M per player.

21-23 years1 players (100%)

€3.0MAvg: €3.0M

Top player: Fallou Fall (€3.0M)

Top Young Centre-Backs by Age Bracket

21-23 Years (1 players)

1. Fallou Fall(22yo)

€3.0M

Market Value Distribution

Elite Tier Concentration

100%of market value

The top 1 Young Centre-Backs (100% of players) control €3.0M

1. Fallou Fall€3.0M

Market Tiers

Emerging (<€5M)1 players (100%)

€3.0M

Market structure shows concentrated value with emerging (<€5m) tier representing 100% of the MLS CB pool.

Emerging (<€5M)

1. Fallou Fall

St. Louis CITY SC€3.0M

Club Distribution: MLS Young Centre-Backs

Among 1 MLS clubs, St. Louis CITY SC leads with 1 Young Centre-Backs worth €3.0M (averaging €3.0M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Centre-Backs.

St. Louis CITY SC

1 players • €3.0M

St. Louis CITY SC (1 Young Centre-Backs)

Fallou Fall(22yo)

€3.0M

Player Rankings

Ranked by APE Strength Score. Click any player to view full profile, or click the chart icon to see value history.

Fallou Fall

St. Louis CITY SC • 22 years old

€2.6M

€3.0M

+15.6%

€2.8M€3.6M

Expected: €3.2M

42.3

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)

1 pre-peak player found. PPVE compares market value to age bracket median to identify exceptional value opportunities.

PPVE by Age Bracket

Fallou FallSt. Louis CITY SC

21-23 • 22yo1.00×

€3.0M • 0% above median

Rank	Player	Age	Bracket	Current Value	Bracket Median	PPVE
#1	Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC	22	21-23	€3.0M	€3.0M	1.00×

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)

St. Louis CITY SC's Fallou Fall leads with +25% RPP, projected to appreciate 25% over 4 years to peak.

How RPP is calculated: RPP compares current market value to forecasted peak value. Target players with RPP ≥50% who are 2-3 years from peak for significant value appreciation potential.

Recovery Potential by Player

Fallou FallSt. Louis CITY SC

4yr to peak+25%

€3.0M → €4.0M

Rank	Player	Age	Years to Peak	Current	Peak Forecast	RPP %
#1	Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC	22	4	€3.0M	€4.0M	+25%

Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)

Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.

Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)

St. Louis CITY SC's Fallou Fall leads with 23.0 RAU (6% upside vs 0% uncertainty).

How RAU is calculated: RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %. Higher RAU means better risk-reward. Target RAU ≥2.0 for strong appreciation with manageable risk.

Risk-Adjusted Upside by Player

Fallou FallSt. Louis CITY SC

↑6% / ±0%23.0

Range: €2.8M - €3.6M

Rank	Player	Expected	Range	Upside %	RAU
#1	Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC	€3.2M	€2.8M-3.6M	+6%	23.0

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

Total Players

0.00

Avg Z-Score

0.00

RPI Score

Weak DepthStrong Depth

-3.00+3.0

Highest Z-Scores

Fallou Fall+0.00

Lowest Z-Scores

Fallou Fall0.00

Age-Share Concentration (ASC)

Identifies players capturing disproportionate value relative to age group representation. Positive ASC = value concentration.

Understanding Age-Share Concentration (ASC)

St. Louis CITY SC's Fallou Fall leads with +0.0% ASC (100.0% value share vs 100.0% player share in 21-23 bracket).

How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. ASC > +15% indicates elite players dominating their age group—marquee signings.

Value Concentration by Player

Fallou FallSt. Louis CITY SC

21-230.0%

100.0% value share / 100.0% player share

Rank	Player	Age Bracket	Value Share	Player Share	ASC
#1	Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC	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, 1 standard acquisitions, 0 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.

BUY NOW - High Upside

No players in this category

WATCH LIST - High Upside

No players in this category

BUY NOW - Medium Upside

Fallou Fall

22yo • St. Louis CITY SC

€3.0M

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 €3.0M. 0 undervalued, 0 premium.

Value Positioning vs Peers

Fallou FallSt. Louis CITY SC

€3.0M0.00

Fair value

Player	Market Value	Position Median	Z-Score	Assessment
Fallou Fall St. Louis CITY SC	€3.0M	€3.0M	0.00	Fair Value

How We Rank MLS Young Centre-Backs

Our Analytical Strength Score 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 MLS 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 MLS 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 27 with 5.0%/year decline rate. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.

Competition Level Adjustment (3%)

MLS 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: 27 years (balance of physicality and tactical intelligence)

Decline Rate: 5.0% per year (moderate decline as 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: Defender -5.0%/year post-peak, +5%/year pre-peak

• 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 MLS Young Centre-Backs in the 2023-24 season

Who are the most valuable Young Centre-Backs in the MLS in 2023-24?

The most valuable young centre-back in the MLS in 2023-24 is Fallou Fall, who is worth €3.0M and plays for St. Louis CITY SC.. Our database tracks 1 MLS Young Centre-Backs with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2023-24 season.

How are MLS Young Centre-Backs ranked?

MLS Young Centre-Backs are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Score, 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 MLS 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 27, with a decline rate of 5.0% per year after peak. 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 MLS?

Transfer fees for MLS Young Centre-Backs vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young centre-back Fallou Fall (market value: €3.0M), estimated transfer fees would range from €2.4M to €4.2M 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 MLS transactions.

What is the value forecast for MLS Young Centre-Backs?

Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for MLS 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 gain ~5% per year toward peak age, post-peak players decline at position-specific rates), 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 MLS young centre-back data come from?

Our MLS young centre-back data is sourced from APE Global Capital'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 MLS sources and updated monthly for the 2023-24 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.