It has been just over eight years since Keith Downing’s Young Lions made history by becoming the first England side to win the under-19 European Championship following a win over Portugal. So, what happened next?
England celebrated a memorable tournament win inside the Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium in Gori, Georgia, on July 15, 2017 as second-half goals from Aston Villa's Easah Suliman and Manchester City's Lukas Nmecha sealed a 2-1 victory.
Fulham midfielder Tayo Edun, who was one of England's most consistent performers throughout the tournament, received a second bookable offence in the 86th minute.
But despite a tense ending, the Young Lions managed to hold on to cap off a sensational 2017 tournament record for the England men’s development teams as they celebrated 23 victories from 27 games played from the U17s upwards.
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Here's a recap of each and every player's career path since the win over Portugal.
England XI:
Aaron Ramsdale (AFC Bournemouth)
Ramsdale enjoyed a superb tournament for the Young Lions, conceding just three goals as Keith Downing’s side become the first England side to win the U19 European Championship.
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Three years later, the goalkeeper signed for Sheffield United before earning a move to Arsenal in 2021. After making 89 appearances for the Gunners, he joined recently-relegated Southampton in the summer of 2024.
Dujon Sterling (Chelsea)
Sterling spent six years at Chelsea between 2017 and 2023, but struggled to break into the first-team. He spent the majority of his spell on loan at Coventry, Wigan, Blackpool and Stoke. He now plays for Scottish Premiership side Rangers.
Jay Dasilva (capt; Chelsea)
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Another youngster who progressed through the Chelsea academy, Dasilva also spent plenty of time on loan, with spells including Charlton and Bristol City. He eventually signed a permanent deal with the latter and spent four years at Ashton Gate before joining Coventry in 2023.
Tayo Edun (Fulham)
Edun made two league appearances for Fulham between 2016 and 2020. He would go on to play for Lincoln City, Blackburn, Charlton and Peterborough. The 27-year-old recently signed for League One side Stockport County.
Easah Suliman (Aston Villa)
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Suliman made one senior appearance for Villa, as a substitute in the Carabao Cup against Wigan in August 2017, before joining Portuguese outfit Vitória SC in 2020. He currently plays for Azerbaijan Premier League side Sumgayit and represents the Pakistan national team.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (Manchester City)
After failing to make the grade at City, Buckley-Ricketts joined Peterborough United in 2018 following loan spells at FC Twente and Oxford United. He has played for a number of clubs since, including Stretford Paddock, Southport and Warrington. He now plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division side Macclesfield.
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Andre Dozzell (Ipswich Town)
Unlike many of the previously mentioned, Dozzell would become a regular first-team player following the U19 Euros. He made 93 appearances for Ipswich between 2016 and 2021 before joining QPR. He currently plays for Championship side Portsmouth.
Mason Mount (Chelsea)
Mount, who was one of the standout performers for England in the final against Portugal, would go on to make 195 appearances for boyhood club Chelsea between 2017 and 2023. He joined Manchester United in 2023 for £55 million, but has struggled with injuries.
Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham)
After an impressive showing at the Euros, Sessegnon earned a £25 million move to Spurs in the summer of 2019, although his spell at the North London club was plagued with injuries. He made 57 appearances across a five-year spell before re-joining Fulham in 2024.
Lukas Nmecha (Manchester City)
Nmecha made two league appearances for Manchester City and also represented both England and Germany at Under-21 level. He spent most of his time at City on loan, with spells including Preston, Wolfsburg, Middlesbrough and Anderlecht.
He recently signed for Premier League new boys Leeds United following a productive four-year spell in Germany with Wolfsburg.
Darnell Johnson (Leicester City).
Johnson failed to make a competitive appearance for Leicester and instead spent time on loan at Hibernian, Wigan and AFC Wimbledon. The defender is currently a free agent after spending last season at National League side Forest Green Rovers.
Substitutes
Ben Brereton (Nottingham Forest)
After making over 50 appearances for Nottingham Forest, Brereton Diaz went on to become a prolific forward for Blackburn Rovers. He also switched nationality to Chilean in 2021. The striker currently plays for Southampton, but spent last season on loan at Sheffield United.
Josh Dasilva (Arsenal)
Dasilva failed to make the grade at Arsenal but after joining Brentford in 2018, the midfielder made over 150 appearances for the Bees. His contract at Brentford has now expired, but he will continue to work on his recovery at Brentford’s performance centre until the club provide an update on his future.
He did not play at all during the 2024/25 campaign due to a knee injury.
Marcus Edwards (Tottenham Hotspur)
Edwards left Spurs for Portugal in 2019 as he joined Vitoria de Guimaraes. He flourished and soon earned a move to Sporting Lisbon, where he became a key player at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. He now plays for Premier League new boys Burnley.
Substitutes not used
Nathan Trott (West Ham United)
Trott spent much of his time at West Ham on loan, with spells including AFC Wimbledon, Nancy and Vejle. He now plays for Danish Superliga side Copenhagen.
Jacob Maddox (Chelsea)
Like a number of the previously mentioned, Maddox struggled to make a name for himself at Chelsea and instead spent time on loan at Cheltenham, Tranmere and Southampton. Like Edwards, the midfielder joined Vitoria de Guimaraes on a permanent deal.
He now plays for National League side Yeovil Town following spells at Walsall and Forest Green.
Reece James (Chelsea)
Arguably the most successful player from that England squad in 2017 was an unused substitute against Portugal. He recently lifted the Club World Cup with Chelsea.
Topics: England
Jack Kenmare