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The 10 youngest players in Europa League history
Cameron Smith
- 9 Oct 2025 15:00 BST
- 4 min read
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Roger Fernandes is the youngest ever player in Europa League history after making his debut in the competition at the age of just 16 years, 2 months and 27 days.
The Portuguese winger came on as a 79th minute substitute during Braga’s 2-0 defeat to FC Sheriff in February 2022, although he only lasted five minutes before being replaced due to injury.
Current ETV
Roger
F, M (R)
Al-Ittihad
Roger
F, M (R)
Al-Ittihad
ETV Range
€19.3M - €23.6M
He overtook Willem Geubbels to set a new Europa League record, which had been held by the Frenchman since December 2017. Geubbels is now the second-youngest ever Europa League player after playing for Lyon against Atalanta at 16 years, 3 months and 21 days old.
Eba Bekir Is became the third-youngest player in Europa League history following his substitute appearance versus AS Roma in January 2025. The midfielder was only 16 years, 3 months and 30 days old when he replaced Fares Chaibi in the 84th minute of a 2-0 loss for Eintracht Frankfurt.
In fourth place is Romelu Lukaku - who remains the youngest goalscorer in Europa League history. He made his first appearance in the competition against Dinamo Zagreb in September 2009 aged 16 years, 4 months and 4 days.
Ex-Belgium U21 international Siebe Schrijvers made his Europa League debut for Genk during a 0-0 draw against FC Basel in December 2012. He was 16 years, 4 months and 18 days old at the time and he is the fifth-youngest Europa League player ever.
Ken Izekor is sixth after featuring for Bayer Leverkusen in a 5-1 victory over Molde in 2023 at the age of 16 years, 6 months and 20 days.
Gabriel Zerbo is the seventh-youngest Europa League player in history. He played for Palermo against FC Lausanne-Sport at 16 years, 6 months and 29 days old back in December 2010.
Anderlecht wonderkid Nathan De Cat joined this list in February 2025 when he made a substitute appearance against Fenerbahce aged 16 years, 7 months and 1 day.
The ninth-youngest player to ever feature in the Europa League is Jorthy Mokio following his cameo for Ajax against Qarabag in October 2024. He was 16 years, 7 months and 25 days old.
Dane Scarlett rounds out the top 10 after making his Europa League debut for Tottenham Hotspur against Ludogorets in 2020 at the tender age of 16 years, 8 months and 2 days.
The 10 youngest players in Europa League history
| Player | Club | Age |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Roger Fernandes | Braga | 16y 2m 27d |
| 2. Willem Geubbels | Lyon | 16y 3m 21d |
| 3. Eba Bekir Is | Eintracht Frankfurt | 16y 3m 30d |
| 4. Romelu Lukaku | Anderlecht | 16y 4m 4d |
| 5. Siebe Schrijvers | Genk | 16y 4m 18d |
| 6. Ken Izekor | Bayer Leverkusen | 16y 6m 20d |
| 7. Gabriele Zerbo | Palermo | 16y 6m 29d |
| 8. Nathan De Cat | Anderlecht | 16y 7m 1d |
| 9. Jorthy Mokio | Ajax | 16y 7m 25d |
| 10. Dane Scarlett | Tottenham | 16y 8m 2d |
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