Best U23 Young Defensive Midfielders in the Superliga
10 players aged 23 or under · ranked by Analytical Strength Index
Best Young Defensive Midfielders in the Superliga (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.
William Clem
FC Copenhagen • 22 years old
€3.0M
€3.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €3.6M
47.6
Kasper Davidsen
Aalborg BK • 21 years old
€2.2M
€2.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €2.5M
39.4
Mateo Tanlongo
FC Copenhagen • 23 years old
€1.7M
€2.0M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.9M
37.4
Justin Janssen
FC Nordsjaelland • 20 years old
€1.3M
€1.5M
+15.6%
Expected: €1.7M
32.6
Cristian Mihai
FC Dinamo 1948 • 21 years old
€692K
€800K
+15.6%
Expected: €811K
25.2
Cătălin Vulturar
FC Rapid 1923 • 22 years old
€605K
€700K
+15.6%
Expected: €710K
23.9
Luca Mihai
UTA Arad • 22 years old
€346K
€400K
+15.6%
Expected: €406K
17.0
Malte Heyde
FC Nordsjaelland • 19 years old
€259K
€300K
+15.6%
Expected: €331K
12.1
Aviel Zargari
FC Hermannstadt • 23 years old
€173K
€200K
+15.6%
Expected: €194K
8.8
Luca Banu
FCV Farul Constanta • 21 years old
€130K
€150K
+15.6%
Expected: €152K
4.3
If you were Superliga's sporting director, who would you sign?
Pick a club, select up to 3 players, and build your transfer proposal.
Explore Market Size by Position in Superliga
Interactive bubble chart showing predicted 2-year growth vs current age for all Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders. Identify undervalued assets and track market momentum across 8 clubs with €12.1M combined value.
Age Distribution: Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders
The Superliga CDM market shows 2 distinct age segments, with the largest cohort in the 21-23 bracket (8 players, 80% of market). The 21-23 age group holds the most value at €10.3M, averaging €1.3M per player.
Top Young Defensive Midfielders by Age Bracket
U21 Years (2 players)
21-23 Years (8 players)
Market Value Distribution
Elite Tier Concentration
The top 1 Young Defensive Midfielders (10% of players) control €3.5M
Market Tiers
Market structure shows concentrated value with emerging (<€5m) tier representing 100% of the Superliga CDM pool.
Emerging (<€5M)
Club Distribution: Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders
Among 8 Superliga clubs, FC Copenhagen leads with 2 Young Defensive Midfielders worth €5.5M (averaging €2.8M per player). The top 10 clubs account for 100% of tracked Young Defensive Midfielders.
FC Copenhagen (2 Young Defensive Midfielders)
Aalborg BK (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
FC Nordsjaelland (2 Young Defensive Midfielders)
FC Dinamo 1948 (1 Young Defensive Midfielders)
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 Copenhagen's William Clem at 22 years old has the highest Pre-Peak Value Efficiency at 4.38×. That means William Clem is valued 4.38× higher than the median player in the 21-23 age bracket-representing exceptional value before reaching peak age.
In second is Aalborg BK's Kasper Davidsen, who is 21 years old, with a 3.13× PPVE. Third is Mateo Tanlongo of FC Copenhagen, who is 23 years old with a 2.50× 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 4.38× means the player is worth 338% 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 | William Clem FC Copenhagen | 22 | 21-23 | €3.5M | €800K | 4.38× |
| #2 | Kasper Davidsen Aalborg BK | 21 | 21-23 | €2.5M | €800K | 3.13× |
| #3 | Mateo Tanlongo FC Copenhagen | 23 | 21-23 | €2.0M | €800K | 2.50× |
| #4 | Justin Janssen FC Nordsjaelland | 20 | U21 | €1.5M | €1.5M | 1.00× |
| #5 | Cristian Mihai FC Dinamo 1948 | 21 | 21-23 | €800K | €800K | 1.00× |
| #6 | Cătălin Vulturar FC Rapid 1923 | 22 | 21-23 | €700K | €800K | 0.87× |
| #7 | Luca Mihai UTA Arad | 22 | 21-23 | €400K | €800K | 0.50× |
| #8 | Aviel Zargari FC Hermannstadt | 23 | 21-23 | €200K | €800K | 0.25× |
| #9 | Malte Heyde FC Nordsjaelland | 19 | U21 | €300K | €1.5M | 0.20× |
| #10 | Luca Banu FCV Farul Constanta | 21 | 21-23 | €150K | €800K | 0.19× |
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 Nordsjaelland's Malte Heyde at 19 years old has the highest Return-to-Peak Potential at +44%. That means Malte Heyde is projected to appreciate 44% as they reach their peak age in 7 years-representing significant upside before entering their prime.
In second is FC Nordsjaelland's Justin Janssen, who is 20 years old, with a +40% RPP (6 years to peak). Third is Kasper Davidsen of Aalborg BK, who is 21 years old with a +35% RPP (5 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 | Malte Heyde FC Nordsjaelland | 19 | 7 | €300K | €536K | +44% |
| #2 | Justin Janssen FC Nordsjaelland | 20 | 6 | €1.5M | €2.5M | +40% |
| #3 | Kasper Davidsen Aalborg BK | 21 | 5 | €2.5M | €3.9M | +35% |
| #4 | Luca Banu FCV Farul Constanta | 21 | 5 | €150K | €232K | +35% |
| #5 | Cristian Mihai FC Dinamo 1948 | 21 | 5 | €800K | €1.2M | +35% |
| #6 | Cătălin Vulturar FC Rapid 1923 | 22 | 4 | €700K | €1.0M | +30% |
| #7 | Luca Mihai UTA Arad | 22 | 4 | €400K | €575K | +30% |
| #8 | William Clem FC Copenhagen | 22 | 4 | €3.5M | €5.0M | +30% |
| #9 | Mateo Tanlongo FC Copenhagen | 23 | 3 | €2.0M | €2.7M | +25% |
| #10 | Aviel Zargari FC Hermannstadt | 23 | 3 | €200K | €267K | +25% |
Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
Upside potential weighted against forecast uncertainty. Higher RAU = better risk-reward profile.
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Upside (RAU)
FC Nordsjaelland's Justin Janssen has the highest Risk-Adjusted Upside at 31.1. That means Justin Janssen has 10% upside potential with only 0% forecast uncertainty-representing excellent risk-reward for value appreciation.
In second is FC Nordsjaelland's Malte Heyde with a 31.1 RAU (10% upside, 0% uncertainty). Third is Cătălin Vulturar of FC Rapid 1923 with a 5.4 RAU (1% upside, 0% uncertainty).
How RAU is calculated: RAU divides upside potential by forecast uncertainty (RAU = Upside % ÷ Uncertainty %). A RAU of 31.1 means the upside is 31.1× 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 | Justin Janssen FC Nordsjaelland | €1.7M | €1.4M-1.9M | +10% | 31.1 |
| #2 | Malte Heyde FC Nordsjaelland | €331K | €281K-380K | +10% | 31.1 |
| #3 | Cătălin Vulturar FC Rapid 1923 | €710K | €618K-802K | +1% | 5.4 |
| #4 | William Clem FC Copenhagen | €3.6M | €3.1M-4.0M | +1% | 5.4 |
| #5 | Luca Mihai UTA Arad | €406K | €353K-458K | +1% | 5.4 |
| #6 | Kasper Davidsen Aalborg BK | €2.5M | €2.2M-2.9M | +1% | 4.7 |
| #7 | Luca Banu FCV Farul Constanta | €152K | €129K-175K | +1% | 4.7 |
| #8 | Cristian Mihai FC Dinamo 1948 | €811K | €690K-933K | +1% | 4.7 |
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 defensive midfielder position shows weak 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 Nordsjaelland's Malte Heyde in the U21 age bracket has the highest Age-Share Concentration at +-5.1%. That means Justin Janssen captures 14.9% of total market value while representing only 20.0% of players in their age group-showing dominant elite status.
In second is FC Nordsjaelland's Justin Janssen with a +-5.1% ASC (14.9% value share vs 20.0% player share in U21 bracket). Third is Luca Mihai of UTA Arad with a +5.1% ASC (85.1% value vs 80.0% players in 21-23 bracket).
How ASC is calculated: ASC = (% of total value) - (% of total players) in age bracket. A +-5.1% ASC means the player captures -5.1% 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 | Malte Heyde FC Nordsjaelland | U21 | 14.9% | 20.0% | -5.1% |
| #2 | Justin Janssen FC Nordsjaelland | U21 | 14.9% | 20.0% | -5.1% |
| #3 | Luca Mihai UTA Arad | 21-23 | 85.1% | 80.0% | +5.1% |
| #4 | Aviel Zargari FC Hermannstadt | 21-23 | 85.1% | 80.0% | +5.1% |
| #5 | Cătălin Vulturar FC Rapid 1923 | 21-23 | 85.1% | 80.0% | +5.1% |
| #6 | Kasper Davidsen Aalborg BK | 21-23 | 85.1% | 80.0% | +5.1% |
| #7 | William Clem FC Copenhagen | 21-23 | 85.1% | 80.0% | +5.1% |
| #8 | Mateo Tanlongo FC Copenhagen | 21-23 | 85.1% | 80.0% | +5.1% |
| #9 | Luca Banu FCV Farul Constanta | 21-23 | 85.1% | 80.0% | +5.1% |
| #10 | Cristian Mihai FC Dinamo 1948 | 21-23 | 85.1% | 80.0% | +5.1% |
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, 2 standard acquisitions, 8 watch-list prospects, 0 at peak.
BUY NOW - High Upside
No players in this category
WATCH LIST - High Upside
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 €700K. 0 undervalued, 0 premium.
Value Positioning vs Peers
| Player | Market Value | Position Median | Z-Score | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Malte Heyde FC Nordsjaelland | €300K | €800K | -1.00 | Good Value |
Luca Banu FCV Farul Constanta | €150K | €800K | -0.31 | Fair Value |
Aviel Zargari FC Hermannstadt | €200K | €800K | -0.29 | Fair Value |
Luca Mihai UTA Arad | €400K | €800K | -0.19 | Fair Value |
Cătălin Vulturar FC Rapid 1923 | €700K | €800K | -0.05 | Fair Value |
Justin Janssen FC Nordsjaelland | €1.5M | €800K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Cristian Mihai FC Dinamo 1948 | €800K | €800K | 0.00 | Fair Value |
Mateo Tanlongo FC Copenhagen | €2.0M | €800K | +0.57 | Above Market |
Kasper Davidsen Aalborg BK | €2.5M | €800K | +0.81 | Above Market |
William Clem FC Copenhagen | €3.5M | €800K | +1.29 | Above Market |
Market Overview: Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders 2023-24
Our database tracked 10 Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders in the 2023-24 season, representing 8 clubs with a combined market value of €12.1M. The average market value for Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders was €1.2M, with the average age at 21 years old.
The most valuable young defensive midfielder in the Superliga was William Clem, worth €3.5M and played for FC Copenhagen at 22 years old. The top 5 Young Defensive Midfielders averaged €2.1M in market value, including Kasper Davidsen and Mateo Tanlongo.
Age distribution showed the youngest tracked young defensive midfielder was Malte Heyde (19 years, FC Nordsjaelland, €300K), while the oldest was Mateo Tanlongo (23 years, FC Copenhagen, €2.0M). Research shows Young Defensive Midfielders typically peak at age 27.
Historical analysis showed 8 Young Defensive Midfielders (80%) increased in market value over the following 12 months based on age-curve trajectories, then-current performance trends, and playing time analysis. The Superliga market for Young Defensive Midfielders remained actively developing with emerging talent in the 2023-24 season.
How We Rank Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders
Our Analytical Strength Index is calibrated specifically for young defensive midfielders, 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 CDM
Historical Achievement Index (35%)
Peak career market value for Superliga young defensive midfielders, 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 Superliga young defensive midfielders, capturing recent form, injuries, and current performance level. Weighted to reflect age-related depreciation patterns.
Playing Time Utilization (18%)
Midfielders with 2,400+ minutes score highest, indicating regular starting role and sustained performance.
Age-Adjusted Performance Curve (12%)
Midfielders peak at 27 with 6.0%/year decline. Pre-peak players score higher on development trajectory.
Competition Level Adjustment (3%)
Superliga 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.
CDM Performance Benchmarks
Peak Age: 27 years (technical skill and tactical awareness)
Decline Rate: Widening steps, not a flat rate: about -5% at 28, -10% at 29, steeper from 30 (technical skills age better than physical attributes)
Optimal Minutes: 2,400-2,500 per season (balance of involvement and recovery)
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 27: +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: ±12-15% confidence interval
Research Foundation
• Dendir (2016): Age-performance curves for young defensive midfielders
• 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 Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders in the 2023-24 season
Who are the most valuable Young Defensive Midfielders in the Superliga in 2023-24?
The most valuable young defensive midfielder in the Superliga in 2023-24 is William Clem, who is worth €3.5M and plays for FC Copenhagen. The second most valuable is Kasper Davidsen (€2.5M, Aalborg BK), followed by Mateo Tanlongo (€2.0M, FC Copenhagen). Our database tracks 10 Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders with comprehensive market valuations updated for the 2023-24 season.
How are Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders ranked?
Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders are ranked by our proprietary Analytical Strength Index, which is specifically calibrated for Young Defensive Midfielders. 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 Superliga 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 Defensive Midfielders peak?
Midfielders typically peak at age 27. In our valuation model, value then falls in widening steps rather than at a flat annual rate: around -5% at 28, -10% at 29, -15% at 30, and steeper thereafter. Central midfielders require a blend of physicality, technical skill, and tactical awareness. The optimal playing time for peak performance is around 2,400-2,500 minutes per season.
How much does it cost to sign a top young defensive midfielder from the Superliga?
Transfer fees for Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders vary significantly based on market value, contract length, and club bargaining position. For the top-ranked young defensive midfielder William Clem (market value: €3.5M), estimated transfer fees would range from €2.8M to €4.9M 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 Superliga transactions.
What is the value forecast for Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders?
Our 1-year forecast model projects market value changes for Superliga Young Defensive Midfielders 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-midfielders have ±12-15% 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 Superliga young defensive midfielder data come from?
Our Superliga young defensive midfielder 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 Superliga sources and updated monthly for the 2023-24 season to ensure accuracy for recruitment and investment decisions.