2025 has been an exciting year in European football, as some of the biggest youth talents have completed their first moves to Europe’s biggest clubs. These wonderkids, all aged 23 or younger, have signed with elite European teams and may one day become the superstars of football history.
This article at 96 app details five of those players who have recently moved from their home country to Europe, and are just beginning their professional careers, at this highest level.
1. Kaiky Fernandes: Santos to Chelsea (England)
Brazilian defender Kaiky Fernandes signed for English Premier League giants Chelsea in January 2025, as the 21-year-old had shown enough defensive ability at Santos FC, another one of Brazil’s historic clubs. Kaiky’s poise on the ball, tactical awareness and ability to play from the back into spaces made a place in the long-term thinking of Chelsea. He has had a limited number of appearances at both youth and senior level, so as has been great to observe people appreciating him now take on the physicality of the English footballing system, and that he is progressing a little slowly, but steadily.
2. Matías Arezo: River Plate Montevideo to Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
Uruguayan striker Matías Arezo, 22, took another step in his developing career when he signed for Borussia Dortmund in February 2025. A fan of Arezo’s movement and goal-scoring ability with River Plate Montevideo, the famed youth development system at Dortmund took an active interest in him. Arezo has been a known finisher and off-the-ball runner. He will be gradually integrated into their team and has played games in the Bundesliga and UEFA Youth League, signifying Dortmund’s commitment to South American youth players.
3. Grady McDonnell: Vancouver FC (Canada) – Club Brugge (Belgium)
Grady McDonnell may not be known to every football fan yet, but he will be, and likely soon. McDonnell made headlines in early 2025 when he made the notable transfer from Vancouver FC from the Canadian Premier League to Club Brugge in Belgium, or really the development side of Club Brugge, or Club NXT.
At the time of signing, McDonnell was just 16 years old, making him one of the youngest Canadian players to move abroad for professional football at age 16. The reported transfer fee for McDonnell is said to be in the ballpark of €350k and is also one of the largest transfer fees for a youth player in Canadian Premier League history.
4. Estevão Willian: Palmeiras (Brazil) – Chelsea (England)
Estevão Willian of Brazil has been regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world football, and he finally completed his high-profile move to Chelsea in 2025. At just 16 years old when he agreed to the deal in June of 2024, Estevão had been a constant source of Premier League interest due to his flair, dribbling skills, and electric pace while playing for Palmeiras. Chelsea signed Estevão on a deal worth over €60 million, one of the most expensive teenage transfers of all time. Estevão will now begin his first-ever journey into European football in 2025, with many expectations ahead of him.
5. Mason Melia: St Patrick’s Athletic (Republic of Ireland) to Tottenham Hotspur (England)
Mason Melia, a gifted 17-year-old forward with St Patrick’s Athletic in the Republic of Ireland, made headlines in early 2025 by signing for English Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of €2 million, which could increase to €4 million with add-ons, becoming one of the youngest players in this profile of transfer; with pace, skill, and a goal-scoring identity, he’ll become an official Spurs player in January 2026, his first part of European football, and a promising future ahead.
Conclusion
The 2025 season demonstrates the growing reach of European football clubs around the world, especially with young talents from South America, Africa, and other emerging areas. The five wunderkids detailed in this article, Kaiky Fernandes, Matías Arezo, Grady Mcdonell, Mason Melia and Estevão Willian, have all recently taken their first steps onto European soil at some of the biggest clubs, all of which are committed to their development and success. It will be interesting to follow their journeys as they get to grips with the tempo and intensity of European football and attempt to fulfil their massive potential.
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