Everything you need to know about Aston Villa’s latest wonderkid Kadan Young, who has been compared to Kylian Mbappe.
Villa’s academy has always been strong. Throughout recent years, they have developed players such as Gabby Agbonlahor, Jack Grealish and Jacob Ramsey.
Now, one new youngster who is set to burst onto the scene this season is Kadan Young.
Here, Aston Villa News has highlighted everything you need to know about the youngster as he looks to make his first-team debut this season.
Kadan Young age and height
Young was born on January 19, 2006. At the time of writing, this makes the upcoming star 18 years old.
What is his nationality?
Young is a local lad and was born in Erdington, a suburb in the West Midlands.
What position does Kadan Young play?
Throughout his career so far, Young has mainly been utilised on the left wing. However, he is an accomplished right winger.
When did Kadan Young join Aston Villa?
After showing considerable potential at local side Phoenix United, Young decided to make the switch to join Villa’s Under 13s. He has remained at the Birmingham outfit ever since and signed a scholarship in 2022.
Kadan Young feats
Since joining Villa, Young has made a name for himself. After a string of eye-catching performances in the academy squad, the winger was a surprise call-up to the warm-weather training camp in Dubai back in 2022. Here, he would play his first game with Villa’s first team in a friendly against Cardiff City.
Since then, Young has gradually been given more time with the first team. The 18-year-old has played in multiple friendlies, including in their 3-0 victory against FC Spartak Trnava in 2024.
In the 2023/24 campaign, Young was part of the Villa Academy side that won the Birmingham Senior Cup for the first time since 1985. The winger netted twice in a 9-0 victory over Racing Club Warick in the final.
More recently, Young has featured in the matchday squad against Everton and Wolves at the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season and could be seen on the bench against Young Boys in the Champions League.
On top of his domestic career, the 18-year-old has featured regularly for England’s youth sides. After playing for the Under 16s and Under 17s sides, Young has now made the step up to the Under 18s. Here, he helped the Young Three Lions win the Tri-Nations Cup
Kadan Young compared to Kylian Mbappe
As Young developed, many coaches have been highly impressed with his ability.
One once compared the winger to Mbappe back in 2022 stating: “He joined Villa quite late. But what a talented boy. He probably won’t mind me saying this but he’s become much more mature now, there’s been a big change with Kadan who’s really grown up over the last couple of years.
“He’s had to be managed correctly and we’re seeing the benefits of that. He’s your typically inner-city lad, scary talent and a player that would not be fazed at all playing in front of 40,000 at Villa Park – even at 16!
“He’s so quick and an out-and-out winger which you don’t see enough of nowadays. He’s got that Mbappe about him, where he’ll run, slow his man down, wanting the defender to stand still almost, then he’ll put the burners on.
“Honestly, he’s such a good kid. He’s got to keep working, get to 18 or 19 and get a loan. He’s got a long way to go, he’ll know that, but this exposure with the first team will be brilliant for him. He’ll want more of that and that’s a good thing.
“The fans will tell you this as well… Villa love a good winger, don’t they, and Kadan’s one of them players, quick, direct…”
Has Kadan Young signed a new contract?
In September 2024, Young signed a new contract with Villa. While there is no confirmation on how long his new deal is, it is believed to be long-term.
