The best young stars in the A-League include an 18-year-old Mo Salah clone, a gun defender and a teen BMX star

There’s the 16-year-old BMX champion turned electric midfielder, a 17-year-old regarded as the best defender in the country – and a teenage Mo Salah clone. These are the 13 best young talents ready to tear up the A-League.

While all the pre-season headlines have focused on the marquee recruits set to ignite the new A-League season, of equal interest will be the emerging new talents that breakthrough in the domestic competition potentially on their way to greater honours.

Adelaide set the bar incredibly high last season when 17-year-old Nestory Irunkunda signed a record transfer fee in a bombshell move to German giants Bayern Munich.

It showed the football world that the Australian league is a very strong nursery for producing elite talent that is capable of progressing into the biggest leagues around the world.

Nestory Irankunda catapulted from Adelaide’s bench to Bayern Munich and a Socceroos debut – all in the space of 12 months. Picture: Getty

Here’s a look at some of the best rookies at each club around the league:

Lucas Herrington – Brisbane Roar

The 17-year-old centre-back has been described as the “best defender in Australian football right now” by Roar coach Ruben Zadkovich. With that seal of approval, expect big things from the teenage sensation this season.

Kasey Bos – Melbourne Victory

The younger brother of Socceroo Jordy Bos, 20-year-old left-back Kasey started regularly for the Victory during the club’s recent run to the Australia Cup final, and seems set for a breakthrough A-League campaign.

Abdelelah Faisal – Perth Glory

The Glory lured 18-year-old Faisal to Perth in the off-season from Macarthur FC’s academy team, and the young winger impressed for his new club in the Australia Cup. Glory football director Stan Lazaridis has likened him to Liverpool star Mo Salah in terms of his style.

The Victory’s Kasey Bos is set for a breakthrough campaign. Picture: Getty

Marin France – Sydney FC

France, 17, earned a three-year A-League deal in June after standing out for the Sky Blues’ academy team on a tour to Germany. “Marin’s X-factor is his desire to beat his immediate opponent as often as he can,” Sydney’s youth technical director Kelly Cross said.

Medin Memeti – Melbourne City

At 17, attacking weapon Memeti has already secured a three-year senior deal with City, with the club’s director of football Michael Petrillo saying the youngster had the “right mentality and technical abilities needed to be a City player”.

Amlani Tatu – Adelaide United

The Australian under-17 representative says his role model is Socceroos teenage sensation and former Adelaide star Nestory Irankunda. “It’s every kid’s dream in Adelaide to play for their home club, and I am so proud,” winger Tatu said.

Adelaide United's Amlani Tatu is one of South Australia's top teenage soccer stars.

Arthur De Lima – Central Coast Mariners

Having moved to the Mariners after being in the Brisbane Roar system, De Lima. 17, recently signed a three-year scholarship deal with the title-winning Central Coast. “He is a really exciting footballer and another one of our players with huge potential,” Mariners coach Mark Jackson said of the young attacker.

Alex Nunes – Newcastle Jets

Attacking midfielder Nunes, who trialled with Portuguese club Benfica when he was 15, signed a two-year scholarship deal with the Jets in June. “He’s ready to make the next step into a full-time A-League environment,” Newcastle coach Rob Stanton said of the now 17-year-old Nunes.

Abel Walatee – Western United

Walatee, 20, made three A-League appearances for Western United, and scored in his team’s 4-3 win over Perth Glory in April. “Abel has already shown us what he is capable of in the first team, and I’m sure the fans can’t wait to see more of him,” the club’s general manager of football Mal Impiombato said.

Alex Nunes of the Jets jostles for the ball. Picture: Getty

Nathan Barrie – Western Sydney Wanderers

Barrie, 18, made his A-League debut last season for the Wanderers and is keen to add to his two senior appearances. “I just have to keep working as hard as I can and hopefully I get to that next level,” the young defender said.

Ariath Piol – Macarthur FC

The talented 20-year-old forward scored an A-League goal last season in 22 minutes of senior football. “I can’t wait to continue on with the great group of players and staff that we’ve got,” Piol said.

Luke Brooke-Smith ­– Wellington Phoenix

The 16-year-old attacking midfielder was a junior New Zealand BMX champion before focusing on football and signing a three-year scholarship deal with the Phoenix.

Jesse Randall – Auckland FC

Attacker Randall was part of New Zealand’s Olympic Games squad, and is part of a young crop of Auckland players eager to make their mark in the club’s first A-League season.

Originally published as The best young stars in the A-League include an 18-year-old Mo Salah clone, a gun defender and a teen BMX star