Premier League teenagers Max Dowman and JJ Gabriel have both made the headlines in recent days - for very different reasons. Arsenal winger Dowman, 16, starred in their EFL Cup third-round win over Ipswich Town on Tuesday by scoring twice in a 4-2 win at Portman Road. Dowman became the second-youngest player in Premier League history and the youngest player in Champions League history last season.
Meanwhile, highly rated Manchester United striker Gabriel, 15, has handed in a formal request to leave the club. That is despite playing for the first-team during pre-season and being in line to make his official senior debut for Michael Carrick's side. So what's it like for such young players balancing life, education and football?
Here is a look at the rules that they and their clubs must adhere to. The minimum age for a senior appearance in the Premier League is the season or school year in which that player will turn 16. In England and Wales school terms, it means that the player in question must be in year 11 before they can make a senior appearance.
For example, Arsenal winger Dowman made his first Premier League appearance at the start of last season as a 15-year-old as he was turning 16 later in the campaign. Alongside Dowman, fellow wingers Ethan Nwaneri and Jeremy Monga also made their league debuts at the age of 15. Both were turning 16 later in that school year.
However, United forward Gabriel was not only allowed to make his senior debut last season. He could only do so this season, as he turns 16 next month. In England, the academy system sees all participating clubs graded from Category 1 to Category 4.
Clubs in a higher category have the right to sign any player from a lower category for a structured compensation fee. So Category 1, as the top category, can sign any player from a club in Category 2 to 4. Youth players officially become contracted to a club when first signing a scholarship.
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