The UEFA U21 European Championship is set for a fascinating edition in 2023 as Germany look to defend their title in Georgia and Romania.
A total of 16 teams will fight it out for the trophy as part of a three-week tournament, with dozens of emerging stars looking to make an impact ahead of the 2023/24 domestic season.
The majority of sides include some players with Champions League and top-flight experience with the potential for transfer moves on the back of a strong showing in this competition.
Previous tournaments have launched stellar careers, with former Player of the Tournament winners including Luis Figo, Fabio Cannavaro, Andrea Pirlo and Thiago Alcantara.
The Sporting News takes a look at which players could make a major impact for their countries this summer.
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Arnau Martinez - Spain
Girona right-back Martinez has developed into one of La Liga's top attacking full-backs in the last 12 months with former side Barcelona rumoured to be plotting a move to bring him back the Spanish champions.
Despite being one of the younger members of Santi Denia's squad, he will be a first-choice pick for La Roja, with a reputation for raiding forward to create chances and staying solid defensively.
Arnau Martinez, one of the breakout stars of this Liga campaign.
— Michael (@LaLigaMichael) June 4, 2023
Brilliant. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/PBF3XaSsaX
Gabriel Veiga - Spain
Veiga has exploded into life at Celta Vigo in 2022/23 with 11 league goals for his boyhood club — only Villarreal's Nicolas Jackson (12) scored more La Liga goals as an U23 player last season.
The 21-year-old is being chased by teams across Europe, including Premier League pair Arsenal and Liverpool, and his superb double against Barcelona in the final game of the campaign saved Celta from relegation and showed his brilliant range of finishes.
2 - At 21 years and 8 days, Gabri Veiga 🇪🇸 has become the youngest player to score a brace against Barcelona in LaLiga since Sergio Agüero 🇦🇷 in March 2009 (20y, 272d) and the youngest Spanish player since Fernando Torres 🇪🇸 in February 2005 (20y, 323d). Stellar. pic.twitter.com/dY64P4IBxt
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) June 4, 2023
Mykhailo Mudryk - Ukraine
Mudryk arrived at Chelsea as part of a high-profile £62m/$72m move from Shakhtar Donetsk in January, but he has endured a difficult start to life in English football.
No goals from 15 Premier League appearances was a concerning end-of-season statistic, and the 22-year-old will be looking to utilise this tournament to rediscover his form ahead of a return to Chelsea in July.
Despite racking up 11 caps at senior level, Ruslan Rotan has recalled him for U21 duty to boost his attacking options.
Levi Colwill - England
Colwill played a crucial role in securing Brighton & Hove Albion's first European qualification during his loan spell from Chelsea in 2022/23.
The commanding centre-back formed a strong partnership with Seagulls captain Lewis Dunk at the AMEX Stadium and he was called up to train with the England senior squad earlier this month.
93.9% - Rico Lewis has the best passing accuracy of any teenager to attempt 200+ passes in Europe's big five leagues this season (93.9% - 216/230).
93.9% - Rico Lewis
91.4% - Alejandro Balde
91.3% - Leny Yoro
90.4% - Gavi
89.8% - Levi Colwill
Assured. pic.twitter.com/cAd6FM0JoO — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 20, 2023
Lee Carsley has rotated his defence in recent games, but Colwill will be confident of a starting spot alongside Manchester City's Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Emile Smith-Rowe - England
Smith-Rowe finds himself heading into the tournament on the back of a frustrating season at Arsenal with the 22-year-old missing two months of the campaign through injury.
Despite returning to full fitness in 2023, he was used sparingly by Mikel Arteta, with the Spanish boss consistently stating his long-term faith in the Hale End youth product.
There is strong competition for places in Carsley's attack, but Smith-Rowe looks to have secured himself the left-hand side spot ahead of Anthony Gordon and he will be looking to kicks-tart his career in this competition.
Youssoufa Moukoko - Germany
Borussia Dortmund forward Moukoko created history at the 2022 World Cup after being included as a wildcard option by senior head coach Hansi Flick.
Ahead of the tournament, he became the youngest German debutant since 1954 before setting a record as the youngest German player to feature at a World Cup.
Borussia Dortmund and Youssoufa Moukoko have agreed to work together until 2026 ✍️ pic.twitter.com/W0SqRT6Zsr — Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) January 21, 2023
His recall to the U21 team is not a demotion, with his appearance in Qatar just reward for his 2022 form, and he is the standout name in the defending champions' attack.
Khéphren Thuram - France
Nice midfielder Thuram is another name on Liverpool's transfer radar as Jurgen Klopp looks to formulate a Jude Bellingham Plan B at Anfield.
The son of French World Cup winner Lilian, and the brother of current Les Blues international Marcus, 22-year-old Khéphren is one of the brightest talents in Ligue 1.
Is Khéphren Thuram Liverpool's Jude Bellingham alternative?
Let's find out. 🔎#SquawkaScout pic.twitter.com/jERFobIs8H — Squawka (@Squawka) June 18, 2023
France arguably have the strongest squad at the tournament and Thuram is a key figure in their engine room, with a strong ability in one-v-one situations and take-ons.
MORE: Liverpool transfer news latest as Mount, Mac Allister and Lavia targeted for summer window
Charles De Ketelaere - Belgium
De Ketelaere caught the eye in his first season at AC Milan after making the move from Cub Brugge last summer.
His 40 appearances across all competitions shows Stefano Pioli's willingness to throw him in at the San Siro deep end, and despite not scoring in 2022/23 he was a consistent threat off the bench.
⚽️ Charles De Ketelaere vs. Salernitana:
— CDK90 👑 (@DeKetelaere_HQ) January 4, 2023
- 36 minutes played
- 0.26 xG
- 92.9% passing accuracy
- 2 shots on target
- 1(0) dribble attempts (succesful)
- 1 big chance missed
- 2/5 duels won
- 4x possession lost
- 6.4 rating
Not bad at all - deserved a goal. 😩 pic.twitter.com/IJvx26QFtH
Giorgi Mamardashvili - Georgia
With so much noise surrounding the incredible rise of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at Napoli, Valencia goal keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has been slightly overlooked as another emerging star in Georgian football.
The gigantic 22-year-old has established himself as No.1 for club and country in the last 12 months, starting all 38 of Valencia's La Liga games in 2022/23, and taking over the starting spot in the Georgia senior team.
Giorgi Mamardashvili 22/23 Shotstopping Highlights pic.twitter.com/uVqI77YhYt
— 🦍 ً (@jdp343) June 19, 2023
He will drop back to help out the hosts U21 team this month as they look to avoid an early exit and he could be busy with Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal also drawn in Group A.
Ryan Gravenberch - Netherlands
The running theme of the U21 European Championships being a midfield scouting mission for Liverpool continues with Dutch star Gravenberch, alongside Romeo Lavia with Belgium and Thuram's France teammate Manu Kone.
Gravenberch was the first name mentioned after Liverpool withdrew their interest in Bellingham and the 21-year-old has not found a regular starting spot at Bayern Munich.
Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch: “I just want to play more, preferably at Bayern Munich.
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) June 14, 2023
“And otherwise at a club where I am going to play 100 per cent. That’s my preference.” [@telegraaf] pic.twitter.com/Q7rQI9UKNF
As a composed defensive midfielder, Gravenberch is adaptable as a single pivot, or as a No.8, and Liverpool fans will be keeping an eye on him.
When is the UEFA U21 European Championship 2023
The UEFA U21 European Championship 2023 starts on July 21 with the group stages running until June 28.
The top two teams from four groups will qualify for the quarterfinals (July 1-2) with the final set for July 8.
The tournament will be split between co-hosts Georgia and Romania.