Mason Melia has become accustomed to breaking records.
At 17, he’s reached heights that no player from Ireland has ever reached before.
North London club Tottenham Hotspur have signed the teenager for a fee of €2m.
It’s a deal that smashes the record for a transfer fee for a player departing Ireland.
The previous record was €600,000, which was held by Liam Scales when he moved to Celtic in 2022.
Tottenham’s new teenage sensation has been one of the most talked about prospects on the island for several years now.
At an incredibly young age, the attacker has become an established player in the League of Ireland.
Performances beyond his years led to a high level of interest in Melia.
This scout report will dissect Melia’s meteoric rise.
A total examination of the forwards attributes will be made.
A final projection of Melia’s potential will be given, considering what level he will reach for club and country.
Who Is Mason Melia?
Born in County Wicklow, Melia developed at Bray Wanderers academy before moving to Dublin club, St Patrick’s Athletic, in 2022.
After impressive performances for their academy sides, Melia was given his chance in the first team.
In January 2023, he debuted for St Pats at the age of 15 in the Leinster Senior Cup, making him their youngest debutant.
On his first appearance, he also managed to become St. Pat’s youngest-ever goalscorer.
It wasn’t until May 2023 that Melia would make his first-ever appearance in the League of Ireland.
He became the third youngest player to make an appearance in the League, behind Sam Curtis and Evan Ferguson.
Since then, Melia has gone on to establish himself at first team level.
Melia played 10 games in the 2023 season, scoring twice.
Trust in Melia’s ability grew entering the second season.
The striker was handed the number 9 jersey and would eventually make 31 appearances.
Across the seasons, he started 14 games and scored a respectable six goals.
His performances also saw him receive his first ever call up to the Republic of Ireland’s u19 side.
Mason Melia Positioning
Melia is a traditional centre-forward.
Every single one of his starts saw the forward play as number 9.
This puts great responsibility on the shoulders of the youngster.
St Pat’s almost always played with a lone centre-forward.
They used formations that utilised two strikers for just 8% of their total minutes last season.
Melia isn’t limited in his movement and the positions he takes up.
He has the ability to drop deep and receive the ball at his feet.
He also has the speed to make darting runs in behind the opposition.
In this situation, we see Melia peeling off the opposition’s centre-back.
He uses his speed to outpace his marker and get to a ball over the top.
He then coolly lobs the ball over the goalkeeper with his first touch.
