This year there were plenty of prodigy's to get excited about and FTBL has the top three youngsters who broke the ceiling on their careers this past season. 

GEORGE TIMOTHEOU 

It's the fabled 'Cinderella' story and one of the most talked about stories in Australian football this year. 

In 2017, George Timotheou exited A-League contenders Sydney FC halfway through his second year at the club, the defender growing frustrated at his lack of game time. 

A contract at Sydney Olympic in the New South Wales NPL meant the then 20-year old could play alongside and against men on the field. 

Besides getting more game time, it was a smart move by Timotheou. In 2016 Sydney Olympic signed a historic partnership with Bundesliga giants FC Schalke 04 to oversee clinics for youth players and coaches. 

Known for his towering height and composure on the ball, Timotheou took a chance and succeeded in a two week trial in Gelsenkirchen. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today has been one of the happiest days of my life so far 😍🔥 I have achieved a goal which one can only dream of as a little boy. Words can’t describe how happy I am for this opportunity Schalke 🔵⚪️ have given me. I wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone involved at Sydney Olympic for giving me this chance. Especially Kerim and Bill for opening this door for me I am eternally grateful. For all those other people unnamed there are too many to list but just know that I am so thankful. To my family and friends who have always stood beside me and supported me in my ups and downs I owe you the world 🌍

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This season, the 21-year old played 23 matches and scored twice for the clubs youth side that dominated the Oberliga Westfalen finishing in top spot. 

The youth side earned promotion to the Regionalliga West; the fourth tier of German football. 

Some believe he won't be playing at that level for long. 

FC Schalke played VfB Stuttgart in the final match of the season, and Timotheou earned a starting debut. 

He performed well and kept a clean sheet shaping up against a player with over 300 career goals in Mario Gomez.