Linfield Youth Academy Scouting Report 2024/25: 4 Future Northern Ireland Stars

Which Footballers Have Come From Linfield Youth Academy?

Northern Ireland started their Nations League campaign in a positive manner.

A convincing 2-0 win over Luxembourg at Windsor Park was the perfect start to their quest for promotion from League C. 

Northern Ireland are very much in a transitional phase.

Exciting young talent such as Liverpool’s Connor Bradley, Rangers’ Ross McCausland and Sunderland’s Trai Hume have been given a significant amount of trust by Michael O’Neill to carry the nation’s hopes. 

One club has had more impact than any other in producing the crop of talented youngsters that are emerging into the senior side.

One Northern Irish club, Linfield, were connected to eight players in Michael O’Neill’s side, either through youth or first-team level.

The South Belfast club have always been recognised for their domestic dominance, yet their ability to produce players is also an unquestionable strength. 

Northern Ireland’s captain against Luxembourg, Trai Hume, was developed at Linfield’s academy, where he gained valuable first-team experience during his time playing for The Blues.

Linfield’s vast representation trickles down to the underage sides.

Both the u21 and u19 squads had five representatives each that played or currently play for Linfield. The quality of players being produced can be clearly seen in their latest exports.

Over the summer, Linfield sold youngsters Braiden Graham, Adohan Doherty, and Ceadach O’Neill to Everton, Blackburn Rovers, and Arsenal, respectively.

As the flow of talent continues, the question is, who are the next emerging stars in Linfield’s ranks? 

This tactical analysis in the form of a scout report aims to highlight the next crop of talented players coming out of Linfields youth Academy.

Using Eyeball software for our analysis, Linfields top-performing prospects were identified and analysed.

Kalum Thompson Scouting Report

Kalum Thompson may be the next Linfield youth player to secure a move to a top side in England or Scotland.

The 16-year-old has the ability to play on either wing or as a number 10.

Last season, his playing time was spread across Linfield’s u18 and u16 sides.

He was instrumental in the u16’s All-Ireland Challenge Cup win, where he put in a man-of-the-match performance to help secure a significant coup for Linfield.

At the beginning of this season, Thompson is being rewarded for last year’s exploits.

He has cemented a place in Linfield’s u20 side and has already scored three goals in seven appearances.

First-team Manager David Healy has shown his faith in the young attacker by giving him his first team debut in September’s County Antrim Shield fixture.

There’s a plethora of reasons why Thompson is so highly rated. 

Thompson has an incredible ability to dribble by players.

After controlling the ball with his usual immaculate first touch, he looks to be direct and take players on.

His take-on success percentage is 55%. 

In this situation, Thompson has the ball on the left flank.

As he approaches the penalty box, he jinks past the opposition’s full-back.