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 🌍

A post shared by 🅖🅔🅞🅡🅖🅔 🅣🅘🅜🅞🅣🅗🅔🅞🅤 (@george.timotheou) on

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. 

ANTONIS MARTIS 

While Antonis Martis is a name you may have never heard of, the 18-year old played against some of the best young players in Europe this season for FC Midtjylland U19. 

The Cypriot born Aussie signed for FC Midtjylland at 16 years of age and made 16 appearances in his first season in the U19's. 

He played mostly as a central midfielder but was utilised in left midfield and even centre forward. 

Martis built on his first season, locking in a place at the base of midfield at Midtjylland whilst becoming vice-captain of the side. 

This season he played 17 matches in the U19 league as well as all seven of his sides UEFA Youth League clashes. 

The midfielder was part of his teams 3-1 round of 16 victory over Manchester United, playing against youngsters who would go on to make first team debuts in Tahith Chong and Angel Gomes. 

Unfortunately, Midtjylland were eliminated by eventual winner FC Porto in the quarter-finals. 

While having played for the Australian U16's in Cambodia and Vietnam, Martis is by no means a nailed on future Socceroo. 

Since early 2018 the Cypriot born midfielder, who moved to Australia when he was three, has represented Cyprus U19 in friendlies and in U19 Euro qualifiers. 

DANIEL BOUMAN

The Dutch-born Australian striker has had a breakout season in the Netherlands. 

Bouman spent his youth years in the Australian system playing for Manly United and Blacktown City before returning to the Netherlands in 2014 with his family. 

At the age of 17 Bouman signed for FC Groningen; the birthplace of superstars Arjen Robben, Virgil Van Dijk and current National team coach Ronald Koeman. 

In his first two seasons Bouman was in the U19's fighting through the quality youth stocks, often played out of position in central of left midfield. 

This season, at the age of 21, Bouman showed what he is capable of. 

With 14 goals and five assists in 25 matches, he has shown with a quick turn of pace and a deadly eye for goal, he is one for Australia to keep an eye on. 

He is moving onwards and upwards earning himself a contract at Eerste Divisie side SC Cambuur. 

Bouman, belatedly, will finally earn the chance to impress in a first team in the Netherlands. 

And lucky for us, he has a dream of playing for the Socceroos.