From Szoboszlai to Demir - What became of the "Guardian" talents?

Then: SK Sturm Graz

Now: Udinese Calcio

For a long time, Lovric was considered a huge talent, and for at least as long, a stalled talent. Playing time at SK Sturm was scarce, and his move to FC Lugano in Switzerland in 2019 was the logical consequence.

There, the midfielder took the long-awaited next steps. He also opted for a change of nationality and has since been a Slovenian international. He now has 49 senior international caps for our southern neighbour.

Since summer 2022, he has regularly started for Udinese in Serie A. After his loan spell at Hellas Verona, he is now back at Udinese, but has only made a brief appearance in the league this year.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: Bayern München

Experts knew early on that the Frenchman would make his way to the top of the world. And it happened as it had to. In January 2017, Leipzig transferred 18.5 million euros to Salzburg and acquired the centre-back.

In summer 2021, FC Bayern made their move, with the transfer fee already at 42.5 million euros. At Bayern, the now 27-year-old was initially controversial due to errors, but is now an undisputed starter and one of the best centre-backs on the planet. There's no way around the 48-cap international in France's national team either.

Then: SCR Altach

Now: Austria Wien

More than a Bundesliga career has not yet been granted to the Vorarlberg native. In 2019, he moved from Altach to LASK, where he effectively spent two lost years as a second-division player with Juniors OÖ. After his move to WSG Tirol in summer 2021, he found his stride again.

After five successful years at WSG, where the midfielder also served as captain, he moved to league rivals Austria Wien in September after his contract expired. There, the 27-year-old is expected to lead Austria's young talents with his experience.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: Frosinone Calcio

His move from SK Sturm to Salzburg shortly before the publication of that list caused a lot of excitement. Ultimately, his time with the serial champions was a lost one for the dribblanski. However, as a loaned player at WAC, he increasingly exploited his potential.

Schmid was for a long time one of Werder Bremen's most important players in the German Bundesliga and also a regular for the ÖFB under Ralf Rangnick. Since summer, the attacking midfielder has been playing for Serie A promoted side Frosinone Calcio.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: FC Liverpool

In 2017, the Hungarian was still excelling at FC Liefering in the ADMIRAL 2. Liga. It wasn't until spring 2019 that his big breakthrough with the senior team came under Marco Rose. The obligatory move to Leipzig in winter 2020/21 brought RBS 22 million euros.

Two years later, he moved to Anfield Road – FC Liverpool shelled out 75 million euros for the Hungarian international. There, the now 25-year-old is an undisputed starter and one of the most important players in the system.

Then: Bayern München

Now: FC Basel

The Viennese player, who had an eventful childhood (Admira, Rapid, Real Madrid, Liefering), received the majority of his football education at FC Bayern. During the first COVID-19 lockdown, he gained seven kilograms of muscle mass, then signed with Nice.

In France, he established himself in senior football and also became captain of the ÖFB U21 team. Afterwards, he returned to his parent club Salernitana, before playing on loan for Salzburg in spring 2024.

The three-time ÖFB international is now active at FC Basel, where he is also a regular in central defence.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: FC Barcelona

The hype around the German was huge from an early stage. As a Salzburg player, he made it into the DFB national team, becoming the Bundesliga's top scorer in 2021/22 with 19 goals. The transfer saga surrounding the young star was almost unbearable at that point.

He signed for Dortmund for a transfer fee of 30 million euros. His time at BVB was successful, though not without controversy. In 146 games, the talented winger scored 36 times.

In summer, he moved to the mighty FC Barcelona, where he has already scored three goals in eight games, earning him a recall to Jürgen Klopp's DFB squad.

Then: Rapid Wien

Now: Galatasaray

Practically every step in Demir's career was analysed in minute detail: breakthrough at SK Rapid, move to FC Barcelona, problems due to a contract clause which prevented the financially troubled Catalans from fielding him, return to Rapid, little playing time.

Then the move to Galatasaray and another return to Rapid. However, things are currently going well for Demir at the "Green-Whites". The club is also top of the ADMIRAL Bundesliga table.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: LOSC Lille

The "Mozartstadt" club (Salzburg) transferred around three million euros to Lyngby in summer 2019 to sign the lanky Dane. Kjaergaard gradually adapted to the conditions in Salzburg, and in February 2021, Jesse Marsch helped him make his Bundesliga debut.

After his breakthrough, the Dane repeatedly struggled with injuries, thus missing the next step. In the end, he was no longer a regular in Salzburg and moved to LOSC Lille in France in summer 2026. There, he is currently only a substitute.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: Manchester United

By the time he tore apart the ADMIRAL 2. Liga in unparalleled fashion in spring 2021, it was clear to everyone that a top-class striker was emerging. The first Bundesliga season was rather mixed for the towering goalscorer, but after that, things went very smoothly.

In summer 2023, the obligatory move to RB Leipzig followed. Via the German Bundesliga club, Sesko moved to Manchester United in summer 2025 for 76 million euros. There, he has scored 14 times in 38 games so far.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: ADO Den Haag

In youth football and at the academy, Reischl was a goalscorer par excellence, but he had not yet been able to transfer his knack for goal to senior football. At the age of 16, he debuted under Bo Svensson in the ADMIRAL 2. Liga for FC Liefering, which is very early even by "Bulls" standards.

After a minor slump, the 20-year-old attacker has now arrived in senior football and has already played 103 second-division games. In winter 2025, Reischl moved to Den Haag, where he scored 16 times in 47 matches.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: Jahn Regensburg

The Eisenstadt native with Hungarian roots made a name for himself early in his career as a set-piece specialist with an outstanding passing accuracy and was already compared to Dominik Szoboszlai.

However, things have been quieter recently for the midfield strategist. Via Liefering and GAK, Jano moved to Jahn Regensburg in the German third division this summer. The 21-year-old has made two brief appearances there so far.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: TSV Hartberg

The midfield all-rounder was already described as a "wonderkid" by Croatian media at the start of his career and moved to the Croatian U19 team.

However, Lukic could not establish himself long-term at Salzburg and has now moved on loan to TSV Hartberg this summer. Under Markus Schopp, the 20-year-old has made six appearances so far, scoring one goal.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: Red Bull Salzburg

Oghenetejiri Adejenughure moved from Rapid to the Salzburg youth setup in 2021, and for the past two years, the attacker has been a regular in the ADMIRAL 2. Liga. For Liefering, he scored seven goals in 45 games.

The striker with Nigerian roots is now a U21 international and has two caps under Peter Perchtold.

Then: SK Sturm Graz

Now: SK Sturm Graz

The 17-year-old from Graz has undergone incredible development in 2026. In January, he made his debut for Sturm directly in the Europa League at the legendary De Kuip, and is now a regular in central midfield and also a U21 international.

Since October, with a market value of 15 million euros, he is now the most valuable player in the ADMIRAL Bundesliga. According to rumours, even Arsenal and Brighton are monitoring the youngster.

Then: Red Bull Salzburg

Now: Red Bull Salzburg

The Slovenian, who moved to the Salzburg youth academy in 2025 for 1.5 million euros, has been a regular starter for cooperation partner Liefering in the ADMIRAL 2. Liga since summer.

There, the attacking player has made seven appearances so far, scoring one goal and assisting another.