Irish Wonderkids To Keep An Eye On

Irish football has always punched well above its weight, producing legends throughout the years that have set a high bar. Nowadays, a new wave of exciting young players is emerging from both domestic and international academies, proving that the Republic of Ireland's footballing future is in very capable hands.

Many of these players are now being snapped up by top-tier clubs in the UK and across Europe, carrying the hopes of a nation eager to see the national team return to the major tournament stage. From tricky wingers and composed midfielders to confident defenders, there are a handful of Irish wonderkids who represent the next generation of the nation's footballing excellence.

Rocco Vata

Begging with one of the bigger names who has already made his mark, Rocco Vata has long been tipped as one of Ireland's most promising up-and-coming stars since making his senior debut for Celtic back in 2022. However, due to first-team opportunities being limited under Brendan Rodgers, Vata would go one to make the bold choice to leave his boyhood club and sign for Watford in 2024 in search of a fresh start and more regular minutes.

The creative attacker is known for his intelligence on the ball, flair, and real eye for goals, which was made evident after scoring 28 goals for Celtic's B team. At the same time, Vata has already made an impression in the Ireland U21 set-up, where he managed to bag five goals in two qualifying matches. After a few standout displays already for the Hornets, Vata has quickly become a favourite amongst the fans at Vicarage Road, with his name generating plenty of buzz for good reason.

Due to the manner in which he has adapted to Championship football in his first full season, it was no surprise that the young playmaker earned himself his first first-team call-up at the start of 2025. His immense quality has the potential to see him become a key figure for Ireland in the years ahead.

Naj Razi

From one attacking midfielder to another, Naj Razzie is settling in at recently promoted Italian side Como in the Serie A after having attracted attention at Shamrock Rovers, a side often favoured by the League of Ireland odds of winning the league each year. Despite being linked to a handful of giants across Europe, including Real Madrid, the technically gifted youngster is the type of player that fans of Ireland would love to see take to the pitch for the Irish national team, especially when considering this an area the team currently lacks in. Although his raw talent has yet to earn him an appearance for the Como first team, his performances for the U17 Irish side have been nothing short of impressive and indicate good things to come in the future.

Ike Orazi

Despite it sounding like a somewhat bold prediction now, Ike Orazi could potentially be Ireland's next breakout superstar. If you were someone who tuned in to the 2023 U17 European Championships, you would likely remember how the winger stood out, playing well above his age group and dominating games with not only flair but also confidence at the same time. After impressing in Shamrock Rovers youth set-up just like Razi, who we have just mentioned, Orazi made the switch to French top-tier side Stade Reims at just the age of 16.

This club, in particular, is known for identifying elite youth talent from all over the world, nurturing them within a strong development system which often leads to them eventually selling on their talents to European powerhouses. Orazi fits this model perfectly, with him already picking up a first senior appearance for Reims in 2024. Due to his consistency in the youth team, however, his trajectory suggests he won't be off the mould, having all the makings of being a future star.

Cathal Heffernan

Originally from Cork City, Cathal Heffernan has been on the radar of Irish football fans ever since his headline-making transfer to Italian giants AC Milan in 2022. After being a consistent staple of their youth teams, he is now part of Newcastle United's youth set-up, and the talented centre-back has only continued his development by captaining the club's U21 side in both the UEFA Youth League and the Premier League 2.

At 20, Heffernan is approaching a key stage in his career, with him expected to pursue a loan move to gain senior-level experience. Following his time spent within top-tier European academies, he has been proven with elite coaching and invaluable exposure to world-class training environments, something which can only benefit the young Irish centre back and take him to the next level.

Kevin Zefi

From one Milan side to the other, Kevin Zefi joined Inter Milan in 2021 at the age of just 17, proving to be one of the most exciting individuals of the youth sides following a hat-trick he scored in December 2021. The dynamic left winger known for his exceptional dribbling skills and overall creativity has constantly been involved in Ireland's international youth set-up, with his ability to breeze beyond defenders and deliver accurate final balls in the final third.

Following his move to Roma in 2024, which was made permanent, he has yet to make a first-team appearance. However, he has all the qualities to bolster Ireland's promising attacking pool even further when given the opportunity.