The Next Big Exports? Five U23 Stars To Watch In League of Ireland 2025 – Scouting Report

The League of Ireland is back.

After a thrilling campaign last season, the new campaign kicks off this week.

The league appears stronger than ever.

Shelbourne dethroned four-in-a-row champions Shamrock Rovers under the guidance of Damien Duff.

Despite failing to win the League, Rovers have been impressive in Europe, qualifying out of the league phase of the Conference League.

The league has also seen some incredibly exciting additions in the off-season.

Derry City have brought in experienced international Liam Boyce and Gavin Whyte to their ranks.

Former Premier League forward Lys Mousset has joined Dublin side Bohemians. 

The obvious quality of the league’s ability to export talent has also been seen over recent months.

The impressive Neil Farrugia has made the switch from Shamrock Rovers to Barnsley in League 1.

After impressing for St Patricks Athletic, teenage sensation Mason Melia has made a record-breaking move to Tottenham.

The league is rife with talent who will be hoping to impress scouts throughout Europe this season.

This scout report will highlight five players under 23 who will be worth monitoring this season.

Kian Best Scout Report At Bohemian FC

Kian Best is an incredible coup for Bohemian FC.

The 19-year-old joins on a six-month loan deal from parent club Preston North End.

English clubs have had great success sending promising players on loan to the League of Ireland.

The likes of Will Jarvis and Maleace Asamoah had successful periods last season in Ireland before cementing themselves at EFL clubs.

Best will hope to do the same.

The England u19 international made 12 appearances in the Championship last season.

Now struggling for game time under Paul Heckingbottom, Best has been given an opportunity to get valuable minutes under his belt.

A positive loan spell may help set up success back in England.

The best is a left-back.

However, he has the ability to play a host of positions on the left flank.

He filled in both at left wing-back and as a left-sided entre back last season.

One area in which he’s shown promise is his ability to win duels.

For PNE’s first team, he won a respectable 50% of his duels last season.

This statistic rises to 63% when you look at his data from youth internationals.

Here, we see an opponent controlling the ball on his chest.

Failing to control the ball fully, Best pounces at this pressing trigger.

He quickly ste