Football

The 20 Most Expensive Teenage Football Transfers in History – Ranked

In modern football, age is just a number—especially when it comes to massive transfer fees. Clubs across Europe are increasingly willing to spend tens, even hundreds of millions on teenage talents in the hopes of securing the next global superstar.

From Champions League regulars to raw South American prospects, these 20 players were signed before turning 20—and their price tags were anything but small. Here's a look at the 20 most expensive teenage transfers in football history, ranked from No. 20 to the record-breaking No. 1.

20. Joško Gvardiol – £31.3M – Age 19

Joško Gvardiol
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In 2021/22, Croatian center-back Joško Gvardiol left Dinamo Zagreb to join RB Leipzig for £31.3 million. The transfer came after his impressive performances as a teenager, and it laid the foundation for a rapid rise in European football.

19. Yan Couto Reis – £31.3M – Age 19

Yan Couto Reis
Marta Fernandez Jimenez / Shutterstock.com

Reis, a Brazilian talent from Palmeiras, made a high-profile switch to Manchester City during the 2024/25 season. The Premier League champions paid £31.3 million for the 19-year-old full-back, believing in his long-term potential.

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18. Wayne Rooney – £31.5M – Age 18

Wayne Rooney
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In 2004/05, Manchester United broke the bank to sign 18-year-old Wayne Rooney from Everton. The £31.5 million deal was huge at the time, and Rooney went on to become one of the greatest English players of all time.

17. Luke Shaw – £31.9M – Age 18

Luke Shaw
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Manchester United also invested heavily in Luke Shaw back in 2014/15. The young left-back joined from Southampton for £31.9 million, making him one of the most expensive teenagers in history at the time.

16. Dejan Kulusevski – £33.2M – Age 19

Dejan Kulusevski
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The Swedish winger moved from Atalanta to Juventus in 2019/20 for £33.2 million. His explosive performances in Serie A had caught the eye of the Turin giants, who didn’t hesitate to invest.

15. Fábio Silva – £34M – Age 18

Fábio Silva
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Wolverhampton Wanderers shocked the Premier League when they paid £34 million to sign Portuguese striker Fábio Silva from FC Porto in 2020/21. The move came with high expectations despite his young age.

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14. Archie Gray – £35.1M – Age 19

Archie Gray
Photo: Premierleague.com

Tottenham Hotspur completed one of the biggest teenage transfers of 2024/25 by signing Archie Gray from Leeds United for £35.1 million. The English midfielder was regarded as one of the brightest prospects in the Championship.

13. Jorrel Hato – £37.6M – Age 19

Jorrel Hato
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Dutch defender Jorrel Hato became Chelsea’s latest youth signing ahead of the 2025/26 season. The Blues paid £37.6 million to acquire him from Ajax, continuing their tradition of investing in young talent.

12. Vinicius Jr – £38.3M – Age 18

Vinicius Jr.
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Real Madrid secured Vinicius Jr's services from Flamengo in 2018/19 for £38.3 million. He was only 18 at the time, and the fee underlined the immense hype surrounding the Brazilian winger.

11. Rodrygo – £38.3M – Age 18

Rodrygo
Marta Fernandez Jimenez / Shutterstock.com

In 2019/20, Real Madrid once again splashed out £38.3 million—this time for Santos prodigy Rodrygo. The move mirrored Vinicius’ transfer and strengthened Real's Brazilian core.

Read also: The 20 Most Expensive South American Football Transfers of All Time - Ranked

10. Franco Mastantuono – £38.3M – Age 18

Franco Mastantuono
By Club Atlético River Plate - https://x.com/RiverPlate/status/1923189646227324969, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=165360144

Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono joined Real Madrid from River Plate ahead of the 2025/26 season. The £38.3 million deal added another South American starlet to Madrid’s growing collection.

9. Endrick – £40.4M – Age 18

Endrick
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Brazilian striker Endrick left Palmeiras for Real Madrid in a £40.4 million transfer. The 18-year-old is one of the most talked-about youngsters in the world and joins the Spanish giants in 2024/25.

8. Désiré Doué – £42.5M – Age 19

Desire Doue
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PSG signed Désiré Doué from Rennes during the 2024/25 window for £42.5 million. The French midfielder's versatility and physical presence made him an ideal acquisition for the Ligue 1 champions.

7. João Neves – £50.9M – Age 19

João Neves
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Paris Saint-Germain secured João Neves from Benfica for £50.9 million. The 19-year-old Portuguese midfielder impressed with his composure and passing in Liga Portugal.

Read also: The 30 Most Skilful Players in Football History – Ranked

6. Anthony Martial – £51M – Age 19

Anthony Martial
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Martial made headlines in 2015/16 when he moved from Monaco to Manchester United for £51 million. The fee made him the most expensive teenager in history at the time.

5. Leny Yoro – £52.7M – Age 18

Leny Yoro
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One of the latest mega-deals, Manchester United signed French defender Leny Yoro from Lille for £52.7 million in 2024/25. The move was seen as a major defensive reinforcement for the Red Devils.

4. Roméo Lavia – £52.8M – Age 19

Romeó Lavia
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Lavia’s impressive rise saw him join Chelsea from Southampton in 2023/24 for £52.8 million. The Belgian midfielder brought technical skill and tenacity to Stamford Bridge.

3. Matthijs de Ligt – £72.7M – Age 19

Matthijs de Ligt
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De Ligt’s standout performances at Ajax earned him a £72.7 million move to Juventus in 2019/20. The Dutch center-back was already captaining Ajax in Champions League matches at just 19.

Read also: The 50 Most Expensive Transfers of the 2025/26 Season - Ranked

2. João Félix – £108.1M – Age 19

João Félix
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In 2019/20, Atlético Madrid shattered records by paying £108.1 million for João Félix from Benfica. The move was driven by hopes of him becoming their next superstar attacker.

1. Kylian Mbappé – £153M – Age 19

Kylian Mbappé
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At the top of the list is Kylian Mbappé’s blockbuster move from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain in 2018/19. The £153 million fee remains the highest ever paid for a teenager, reflecting his world-class talent and marketability.