As the summer transfer window picks up steam, scouting departments survey Europe’s leagues to unearth those talented youngsters that could take their team to the next level. With a long-held reputation for developing technically sound and dynamic young stars, the Danish Superliga provides those players in abundance. Back in January, Benfica paid their record transfer fee for a teenager when they signed 18-year-old Andreas Schjelderup from FC Nordsjaelland.

Could other European giants follow their lead?

Our Second Spectrum tracking data has identified nine future superstars to keep an eye on this summer.

Gustav Isaksen, FC Midtjylland

Age: 22 | Position: RW/FW | National Team: Denmark

Where else to begin but with the Danish Superliga’s 2022/23 golden boot winner?

Isaksen ended the season in sensational form, storming to the top of the goalscoring charts with a final total of 18. With an xG of just 9.9, his goals over expected (8.1) was the most of any Superliga player all season. He’s already scored seven goals in 19 appearences for the Denmark U21s, and is due a senior call-up.

He’s also already proven himself on the European stage this season, too.

He’s a delightful finisher, and a silky creator in and around the box, linking play for his teammates. His total of 172 touches in the opposition box was the second-most of any player.

Ernest Nuamah, FC Nordsjaelland

Age: 19 | Position: LW/FW | National Team: Ghana

Nuamah is not the first of FC Nordsjaelland’s Right to Dream Academy graduates on this list, but he might be the best. Fresh from winning the Danish Superliga’s Young Player of the Season for 2022/23, Nuamah is currently on international duty for Ghana in the U23 African Cup of Nations, where he’s already made headlines.

A daring and dynamic winger, Nuamah’s breakout year was electric. He’s a direct dribbler, completing the second most successful dribbles (50) of any player, and averaged 11.9 carries per game. He was integral to FCN’s attacking style, contributing goals (12, the fifth-most) and proving a constant nightmare for opposition defenders (Nuamah completed the most touches in the opposing box of any Danish Superliga player – 174).

He is potentially the league’s next big-money signing.

Mohamed Diomandé, FC Nordsjaelland

Age: 21 | Position: CM | National Team: Ivory Coast

Another Right to Dream Academy graduate, Mohamed Diomandé is a midfielder who do it all. He played a pivotal role in Johannes Hoff Thorup’s trailblazing team this season.

With unmatched energy and a supreme ability to read the game, Diomandé can do the defensive work as well as anyone. He’s also a threat going forward, contributing six goals and assists this year. In fact, he made more passes that broke the opposition’s back line (128) than any other player. Visionary.

Hákon Haraldsson, FC Copenhagen

Age: 20 | Position: AM/FW | National Team: Iceland

We’ve long been fans of Hákon Haraldsson.

And so it turns out, a lot of top clubs in Europe are also big fans. Rumours continue to circulate around a connection with Lille, but interest is reportedly far and wide.

A versatile, technically astute and intelligent attacker, Haraldsson has, this season, played as a No. 8 in midfield, a wide forward (on both wings) and – most commonly – a false nine. Many took note when he became just the fourth Icelandic player to score in Champions League history, after his goal against Dortmund in the group stages – a game in which he was also awarded Player of the Match.

A relentless presser from the front, Haraldsson completed 51 pressures per game last season, the fouth-highest of any player. He works hard without the ball, too.

Mohamed Daramy, FC Copenhagen

Age: 21 | Position: LW | National Team: Denmark

So, technically, Daramy is no longer a Danish Superliga player. Having transferred from Copenhagen to Ajax in 2021, Daramy was loaned back to FCK for this season, and will return to Ajax this summer.

But his 2022/23 season was so good that other clubs around Europe are beginning to take notice. Highlights like below demonstrate exactly why.

A talented and technical winger with electric pace – what more would you need? He attempted more one v ones (8 per game) than any other Superliga player in 2022/23. He also ranked third for touches in the opposition box (170) and completed the second-most passes that lead to a shot (92).

He’ll be a creative asset at Ajax.

Mads Bidstrup, FC Nordsjaelland (on loan from Brentford)

Age: 22 | Position: CM | National Team: Denmark

Again, technically, Mads Bidstrup is no longer a Danish Superliga player. After his loan expired this season, he’s returned to Brentford, his parent club.

But it’s worth mentioning what an incredible season he had. The most tackles won of any player (80). More interceptions attempted per game of any player (20.1). The most pressures per game of any player (58). Bidstrup was the anchor and centrepiece of the FCN midfield.

He will be a strong addition to an improving Brentford side next season, and could well take the Premier League by surprise.

Anton Gaaei, Viborg FF

Age: 20 | Position: RB | National Team: Denmark

Anton Gaaei is one of the most exciting young full backs in Europe. Ajax are the club most interested, and he would be a perfect fit on the right-hand side of their defence.

His ability to stand up to some of the best wide players in the Danish Superliga, some of which are on this list.

No Superliga player completed more crosses following a successful one v one than Gaaei last season (40). No player also completed more overlapping runs than Gaaei (188). His relentless energy and abilty to work with and without the ball is a major asset to any team.

He would be a genuine bargain this summer.

Adamo Nagalo, FC Nordsjaelland

Age: 20 | Position: CB | National Team: Burkina Faso

Perhaps the player with the highest ceiling on this list, 20-year-old Adamo Nagalo is a scarily talented central defender. Again, he’s a graduate of FCN’s Right to Dream Academy, and he carries all the hallmarks of those players: technically flawless, a visionary reader of the game, progressive in his style.

No player in the Superliga last season completed more passes (2,219) or touches per game (86) than Nagalo. He operates as a quarterback-style centerpiece in defence, drawing the opposition press and distributing the ball with composure.

In addition, he also possesses incredible recovery pace and is a tricky opponent in one v one situations. Nagalo is the best defensive talent on this list.

Oliver Villadsen, FC Nordsjaelland

Age: 21 | Position: RB | National Team: Denmark

If Gaaei is one of the best full backs in the Superliga, then Villadsen is a close second.

The FCN youngster reads the game like an experienced defender beyond his years. He’s already made over 100 appearances for his club, a sign of the trust bestowed in him by coaches.

Villadsen is also a force going forward. He completed 33 crosses following a successful one v one last season, ranking him third in the Superliga. His 440 total recorded sprints by our tracking data places him in the 99th percentile of players. Villadsen brings dynamism and energy to the right-hand side.

Did we miss anyone? Follow our Twitter account to share any players you would like to see go under our tracking data microscope.