S. El Malla

Said El Mala grew up in Krefeld and came through the Borussia Mönchengladbach academy before his path took an unusual detour: he moved on to TSV Meerbusch and then to Viktoria Köln. It was at Viktoria, on loan from 1. FC Köln after he and his brother Malek had already signed for the club, that his season took off. He made 32 appearances in the 3. Liga, scored 13 goals and was named the division's Young Player of the Year, numbers that persuaded Köln to bring him back for good on a five-year contract.

He now wears the number 10 for 1. FC Köln, a right-footed left winger built at 187cm, a physical profile that stands out for someone in his position. His form has followed him into the international set-up: he finished as top scorer at the UEFA European Under-19 Championship with four goals and has also found the net for Germany's Under-21 side against Greece. He has progressed through the German youth ranks at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 level, and has already had a senior call-up, though he is still waiting for his first appearance for the full national team.

Off the back of that breakout loan season, his market value has climbed to an estimated €45 million, a figure that reflects the scale of the expectation now attached to him at Köln.