Ajax midfielder Jorthy Mokio has been valued at 52,9 million euro by the CIES Football Observatory, placing the 18-year-old second among under-20 players outside Europe’s five major leagues.
CIES Valuation Places Mokio Behind Pietuszewski in Global Under-20 Ranking
The Swiss research institution published its latest valuation study focusing on youth prospects competing outside the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1. Oskar Pietuszewski of FC Porto leads the global ranking with a valuation of 56,3 million euro. Mokio occupies the second position at 52,9 million euro, while Wolverhampton Wanderers player Mateus Mané rounds out the top three at 46,1 million euro.
The statistical model developed by the CIES does not solely measure current match performance. Calculations factor in player age, contract length, accumulated playing time, previous transfer fees, and the specific trading strategies of employing clubs. Consequently, a high projected value does not guarantee that Ajax will command or realize a 52,9 million euro fee in an actual transfer market.
Ajax Contract Extension Reflects Long-Term Planning
Mokio arrived in Amsterdam during 2024 at the age of sixteen after transferring from KAA Gent. He advanced rapidly through the club’s development pathway to secure regular minutes with the senior squad. In recognition of his development, Ajax signed the Belgian teenager to a contract extension through mid-2031. At the time of that announcement in April, Mokio had already featured in nearly 50 official matches for the first team.
Ajax places two representatives inside the top ten of the global youth study. Beyond the Amsterdam club, other Eredivisie organizations feature lower down the broader top-100 index, with PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord, FC Twente, and Sparta Rotterdam all placing youth prospects in the wider classification.
Broadening the Scope Across European and South American Talent Pools
By entirely filtering out Europe’s traditional big five leagues, the CIES methodology creates a direct financial comparison between prospects developing in the Netherlands, Portugal, Belgium, and South American competitions. Sporting CP midfielder João Simões follows in the top five with a 43,2 million euro valuation, while Botafogo prospect Álvaro Montoro is estimated at 39,3 million euro, according to the published data.
Anderlecht also secured a prominent position near the top of the standings. Nineteen-year-old Serbian player Mihajlo Cvetkovic received a valuation of 28,8 million euro from the research group, landing him in ninth place globally among under-20 players outside the elite domestic leagues.
Statistical Methodology and Practical Applications in the Transfer Market
The International Centre for Sports Studies outlines specific applications for its analytical models within professional football management. The fully statistical approach of the CIES Football Observatory allows us not only to evaluate players as they currently stand, but also to develop scenarios for estimating probable future developments,
the institute stated regarding the release. Our approach supports stakeholders in the football world in a wide range of applications: transfer negotiations, contract extensions, loans, buyout clauses, disputes, club sales, acquisitions, financial reporting, credit lending, insurance, and more.
While macroeconomic models provide benchmarks for industry stakeholders, actual market transactions depend on direct club negotiations, player aspirations, and shifting competitive dynamics across European football.
