Eight of the finest young talents the Eredivisie has too offer have been nominated for the 2018 Golden Boy award.

The award was created to honour the best young player throughout Europe’s top leagues.

Then first ever Golden Boy award was presented to an Eredivisie star, with Rafael van der Vaart collecting the award in 2003 whilst with Ajax.

This years Eredivisie nominees are; Ismail Azzaoui (Willem II), Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax), Ritsu Doan (Groningen), Justin Kluivert (Ajax), Teun Koopmeiners (AZ Alkmaar), Mauro Junior(PSV Eindhoven) and Martin Odegaard (Heerenveen)

Ismail Azzaoui

The Belgian winger was loaned to Willem II at the start of last season from Wolfsburg.

Azszaoui struggled to lock down a starting position for the Tilburg side, starting just 10 times, although he did manage four goals and four assists during the minimal playing time he had.

Justin Bijlow

In his breakthrough year at Feyenoord, the 20-year-old shot stopper managed to make three appearances, with De club aan de Maas manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, trusting the youngster to replace the experienced Brad Jones.

Matthijs de Ligt

The 18-year-old has been one of the biggest stars of the Ajax side for the past two seasons, being regularly described as the complete defender, averaging 62.4 passes per game with a 89.3% success rate.

De Ligt has been linked with big money moves all across Europe this summer but Erik ten Hag will be desperate to keep the superstar at the club.

Ritsu Doan

Doan joined Groningen on loan at the start of the season from Gamba Osaka with a view to buy, and after his great season with the club, they decided to make the move permanent.

The Japanese midfielder made 28 starts for Groningen, showing his versatility as he played all across the midfield.

A capable attack with a thunderous long shot that also works hard and offers great defensive contribution, Doan is certainly a star of the future.

Justin Kluivert

The Ajax wingers excellent season saw him earn a move to the Serie A, switching to Roma as part of a £16 million deal.

Kluivert’s last two seasons have been excellent, helping guide his side to the Europa League final in his first year.

The 19-year-old scored 10 goals in his 27 appearances, also adding five assists to his stats as well as completing an average of 2.7 dribbles per game.

Teun Koopmeiners

The 20-year-old defensive midfielder has been a permanent fixture with the Alkmaar side all season.

Koopmeiners is an excellent defensive player who is not afraid to dribble forward to start a counter as well as offering an excellent passing range.

Mauro Junior

The Brazllian midfielder would only make five appearances for Champions PSV, but showed great promise throughout to put his name in the hat for more playing time next season, signing a five-year-deal with the club at the start of last season.

Mauro Junior is a creative midfielder with good defensive skills, looking to win the ball back and start attacks.

Martin Odegaard

The Real Madrid loanee spent the season on loan with Heerenveen and seemed to find some of the form that made him a star at just 16.

The Norwegian starlet found himself playing on the right wing for Fean and consistently performed, earning three man of the match awards.

Despite not having spectacular stats, with only two goals and one assist, Odegaard was a great asset for Heerenveen, with great attacking play as well as a surprisingly high amount of defensive contribution.