Football is nothing without romance, and there is nothing more romantic than watching talented youth stars blossom at a club, having come through the academy ranks.
It's the dream scenario for every club, no matter the size. Fans feel significantly more connected to players who hold ties to the club similar to their own, and it makes winning and losing feel all the more powerful.
Further, in an era where transfers are only becoming more costly and value for money in the market is getting harder to find for clubs not at the very top, promoting youth talents is a shrewd and cost-effective way of crafting a squad.
They'll either forge a legacy with the club of their dreams, move on to pastures new with no real loss incurred if they cut the mustard, or, in some cases, develop into a top star and command an exceptional transfer fee for the club that made it all happen.
Of course, it's easier said than done, but there are very few things better than an academy graduate success story. And with the 20 teams for the 2022/23 Premier league season now confirmed, we at GIVEMESPORT deem it a good time to look back and pick out every club's greatest ever academy graduate.
Arsenal - Cesc Fabregas
Snapped up from Barcelona's La Masia setup in his youth, Arsene Wenger knew Fabregas was destined to be a special player.
He was right. The Spanish midfielder ripped it up at youth level and found himself in the first-team setup at Arsenal by 16, before going on to become one of the best midfielders in the world in his prime, sweeping up domestic and international honours.
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 04: Cesc Fabregas of Arsenal celebrates scoring his second and the teams the third goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Group H match between Arsenal and AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates Stadium on November 4, 2009 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
Aston Villa - Jack Grealish
Villa finally wilted and had to wave goodbye to Grealish in the summer of 2021, as he joined Manchester City for a British record £100 million.
It's the kind of money you can't turn down, even if he's your best player and been at the club since the age of six. Grealish was ready for the step up, and the Villans got exactly what they deserved in terms of a fee.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 22: Jack Grealish of Manchester City celebrates with the Premier League trophy after their side finished the season as Premier League champions after the Premier League match between Manchester City and Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium on May 22, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Bournemouth - Jamie Redknapp
Back in the Premier League for 2022/23, Scott Parker has done an immense job of refreshing Bournemouth.
A club that often has to wave goodbye to their best players from the moment they show promise, they did exactly that with Redknapp in 1991, when Liverpool came calling. Injuries hampered him, but Redknapp still enjoyed a fine career, winning trophies and playing for England.
4 FEB 1995: JAMIE REDKNAPP OF LIVERPOOL IN ACTION AGAINST NOTTINGHAM FOREST DURING A PREMIERSHIP MATCH AT THE CITY GROUND. THE GAME ENDED IN A 1-1 DRAW. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT
Brentford - Kevin O'Connor
Not only their greatest academy graduate ever, but a one club man. O'Connor saw it all with The Bees.
Breaking through in 1999 after impressing with the youth ranks, O'Connor made over 500 appearances - over 200 of which as captain - and turned out in any and every position for Brentford until his 2015 retirement. A genuine club legend.
BRADFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 7: Kevin O'Connor of Brentford claps towards the travelling fans after the Sky Bet League One match between Bradford City and Brentford at the Coral Windows Stadium on September 7, 2013 in Bradford, England. (Photo by Paul Thomas/Getty Images)
Brighton - Lewis Dunk
Gareth Barry would make the cut for Brighton, but he was controversially signed by Villa while still a trainee.
Ben White could well become their best graduate in the coming years, too, but for now, the title belongs to Dunk. A local lad, Dunk debuted in 2010 and has since become a full England international while representing Brighton.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 01: Lewis Dunk of Brighton & Hove Albion is seen wearing the Rainbow colored captains armband in support of the Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion at London Stadium on December 01, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Chelsea - John Terry
Nineteen years, five Premier League titles, four FA Cups, a Champions League and much more, Chelsea watched their academy prospect blossom into their captain and, at one point, the best defender in the world.
Seriously, Terry was that good. He remains the club's all-time highest scoring defender and racked up over 500 appearances, playing in some of their greatest sides ever.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: John Terry of Chelsea poses with the Premier League Trophy after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace - Wilfried Zaha
It's a shame it didn't work out for Zaha at Manchester United. A player with a tremendous amount of talent, he found himself back at the club where it all began before long, but hasn't looked back since.
Sure, he's not had the chance to move away during his peak years, and he might have wanted to at one point, but Zaha has become a legend for his loyalty to Palace, and is - on his day - a serious threat down the wing.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Brighton & Hove Albion at Selhurst Park on December 16, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Everton - Wayne Rooney
Manchester United and England's record scorer, it all began on the blue side of Merseyside for Rooney.
Making his Everton debut aged 16, there was never any doubt that this local lad wasn't going to become a world beater. The Toffees managed to squeeze out a big transfer fee from United for him in 2004, and welcomed him back for a second spell in the Autumn of his career.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Wayne Rooney of Everton celebrates as he scores their third goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Everton and Swansea City at Goodison Park on December 18, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Fulham - Harvey Elliott
Had Fulham not have fallen into the trap of being too good for the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League for so many years, they might just have been able to keep a hold of Elliott, even just for a touch longer.
But they were resigned to losing the obscenely talented winger/midfielder, who has only gone from strength to strength since signing for Liverpool in 2019. Destined for the top.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 06: Liverpool player Harvey Elliott celebrates after scoring the third Liverpool goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Cardiff City at Anfield on February 06, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Leeds United - James Milner
You think of the Premier League, you think of Milner. A true hall of fame player, who was made in Leeds.
Milner emerged as a shining talent as Leeds' decline worsened in the early 2000s, which unfortunately resulted in them having to sell their star man. A Champions League and a handful of Premier League titles since, he's done alright.
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: James Milner of Leeds scores during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Leeds United and Everton at Elland Road on April 13, 2004 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Leicester - Gary Lineker
While the youth of today quite possibly only recognise Lineker as the man who eats the crisps and presents Match of the Day, he's a legend to those in Leicester.
Andy King unfortunately misses out here, but Lineker was just too good. He fired them back into the First Division in 1983 and would go on to become a top flight title winner and one of Europe's most prolific scorers, playing for Barcelona too.
OXFORD, ENGLAND - JULY 19: Gary Lineker poses for a picture with the Premier League Trophy prior to the pre-season friendly between Oxford City and Leicester City at Kassam Stadium on July 19, 2016 in Oxford, England. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)
Liverpool - Steven Gerrard
Moving to Chelsea in the mid-2000s could've scuppered his legacy around Liverpool, but Gerrard stayed loyal to his boyhood club.
Unfortunately, that meant he never got his hands on the Premier League. But that doesn't take away from the fact that he's arguably England's greatest ever midfielder, a European champion and the local lad that made it for the Reds.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Steven Gerrard of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 28, 2014 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Manchester City - Phil Foden
Now one of their most crucial players under Pep Guardiola, Foden could go on to become the greatest English player ever. He's seriously that talented.
A product of City's elite development system, he's the club's crown jewel having represented them since the age of four. Incredible.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 14: Phil Foden of Manchester City celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leeds United at Etihad Stadium on December 14, 2021 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Manchester United - Ryan Giggs
Debuting in 1990, Giggs is one of football's most decorated players.
He hung up the boots in 2014 having only represented United, winning 13 Premier League titles and making the most appearances in the club's history.
BLACKBURN, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Ryan Giggs of Manchester United pumps his fist to the fans after drawing the Barclays Premier League match between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United but winning the title at Ewood park on May 14, 2011 in Blackburn, England. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Newcastle United - Paul Gascoigne
Regarded by many as the greatest English footballer ever, Gascoigne really was the man at his peak.
Gateshead born and raised, 'Gazza' signed for Newcastle in 1980 and would fly up the ranks before making the first team some four years later. What followed is one of football's most exceptional but also troubled careers ever, particularly in his later years.
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 15: England player Paul Gascoigne celebrates after scoring the second goal during the European Championship Finals group match between England and Scotland at Wembley, on June 15 1996 in London, England. England won the match 2-0. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest - Wes Morgan
Returning to England's top flight for the first time since 1999, Forest's best academy graduate lifted the Premier League title with Leicester in 2016.
Morgan carved out as a career as an unrelenting leader at the back with a catalogue of abilities, making 402 appearances for Forest before moving to the Foxes in 2012, where his career went up another notch.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: Wes Morgan of Forest shouts instructions to team mates during the Coca Cola Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace at the City Ground on March 23, 2010 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Southampton - Gareth Bale
One of Britain's greatest footballers ever and a Welsh legend, it all started for Bale in Southampton.
His progression from bandy left back into a five-time Champions League winner is nothing short of sensational. In his peak, Bale was a tireless performer and serial winner, whose mentality continues to prove stone cold, despite his critics in Madrid.
MANCHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM - JANUARY 28: Gareth Bale of Southampton looks on during the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Southampton at The City of Manchester Stadium on January 28, 2007 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
Tottenham - Harry Kane
After a 2021 transfer to City failed to materialise, there is a good chance that Kane's story is one built entirely on his exploits for Spurs, and ends without him lifting the Premier League.
That doesn't take away from his immense abilities, though. Bursting through the ranks at Tottenham, Kane is more than just a goal getter. He leads the team out, sets the example and creates chances galore. Here's hoping Antonio Conte can help him win some trophies.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur thanks fans after the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 15, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
West Ham - Declan Rice
With another World Cup on the horizon, West Ham's desire to keep a hold of Rice is only going to prove more and more difficult.
The day will more than likely come when an elite side pays an elite fee to snap him up, which is testament to the work the Hammers have done to help mould Rice into the exceptional midfield talent he has become.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Declan Rice of West Ham United celebrates after their sides victory in the Premier League match between West Ham United and Chelsea at London Stadium on December 04, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Wolves - Robbie Keane
A somewhat forgotten striker, Keane was a menace when in full stride and at his peak.
Before the days of ripping it up in the MLS and cartwheeling his way around White Hart Lane for Tottenham, Ireland's record scorer was earning his stripes in the academy at Wolves. They sold him for a British record fee for a teenager in 1999, after he had burst into the first-team at 17 years old.
8 Aug 1999: Robbie Keane of Wolverhampton Wanderers scores the winning goal during the Nationwide Division One match against Manchester City played at Maine Road in Manchester, England. The match finished in a 1-0 victory to Wolverhampton Wanderers. \ Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill /Allsport