Top five youngest English players to feature in Champions League

We have listed talented young English stars to have played in a Champions League game.

Every year, we see several young players break into their senior team and prove their mettle and earn a place in the starting lineup. Some of those are already brimming with talent. They become the undisputed starters at such a tender age and elevate the club to a more competitive level.

Meanwhile, clubs around Europe always bet on their young stars, whom they feel can thrive under pressure. They allow such talents to prove themselves in the high-stakes matches. Over the years, we have witnessed many English stars who have established themselves at their respective clubs and quickly etched their place in the team.

With that, we have five youngest players to feature in the UEFA Champions League

5. Jude Bellingham – 17 years, 3 months & 21 days

At a very young age, Jude Bellingham was attracting attention from top European clubs. He was one of the talented youth stars during his days at Birmingham City. His influence at the club was such that it made him one of the best young stars the club have ever witnessed. Following his departure, they decided to retire his jersey number.

Bellingham joined Dortmund at a very tender age and was quick to make a name for himself in Germany. At Dortmund, he transformed his game and became one most talented midfielders. He also made history when he made his debut in the Champions League against Lazio, becoming one of the youngest English players to do so.

4. Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 17 years, 3 months & 10 days

Ainsley Maitland-Niles held the record of the second youngest English player to debut in the Champions League after Jack Wilshere, but now has fallen behind in the list. However, he made history when he debuted for Arsenal in the competition against Galatasaray in 2014. Although it initially appeared he was going to be the next big thing, that journey has now taken a somewhat different turn.

3. Dominic Solanke – 17 years, 1 month & 7 days

Dominic Solanke came through the ranks of the Chelsea academy, but failed to justify his talent at the club. This is despite him making a record as one of the youngest English players to feature in the Champions League later in his career. His time at the club didn’t last long.

He was overlooked and couldn’t live up to the expectations there. After leaving Chelsea, he joined Liverpool, where he struggled and subsequently signed for AFC Bournemouth, where he went on to make a significant impact. The England centre-forward currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur.

2. Rio Ngumoha – 17 years & 19 days

Not long ago, he was an unknown player possessing an ample amount of talent. When Liverpool had a chance, they didn’t wait long and swooped for his signing, bringing one of the brightest players to their academy. Just a year playing for the junior team, the Reds elevated the 17-year-old to the senior side.

Since making his Premier League debut, Ngumoha has demonstrated that he boasts a plethora of talent and with careful nurturing, he will certainly be the Reds’ next biggest star. Additionally, he also became the second youngest English player to feature in a Champions League game when he came off the bench to feature against Atletico Madrid.

At 17 years and 19 days old, Rio Ngumoha is now the youngest ever player to feature for Liverpool in European competition ⭐ pic.twitter.com/Al6HkC4hl1

— Premier League (@premierleague) September 17, 2025

1. Jack Wilshere – 16 years, 10 months & 24 days

Jack Wilshere still remains one of the youngest English players to feature in a Champions League game. However, it’s a pity that he never reached the expectations despite the hype surrounding him when he first broke into the Arsenal team. He was seen as their next prodigy.

But the Englishman never really reached those heights, and unfortunately, injuries also affected his career. He was a Gunner through and through, spending 10 years at the club. However, he never really won many trophies and left the club in 2018.

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