Which Ex-Footballers Kids Are Set to Become Future Stars?

Which Ex-Footballers Kids Are Set to Become Future Stars?

With a rich history spanning over 150 years and covering countless countries, leagues, and divisions, the beautiful game is positively overflowing with iconic names and club legends.

Though the vast majority of these players come and go with no one to carry the family name to further greatness, occasionally some of the greats of the game will produce a prodigy of their own, making football very much a family affair.

In the modern day, this has become increasingly frequent, with ex-players’ kids coming out of the woodwork at seemingly every major club imaginable - while we can’t fit them all in this list, here are 10 ex-footballers’ children who we believe can be the next big thing, with the potential to equal or even surpass their parents’ legacy.

Reggie Watson, Son of Ben Watson

We all know Ben Watson - how could we forget that stunning, shocking, last-second header against Manchester City in 2013 that secured Wigan Athletic their first-ever FA Cup trophy despite relegation from the Premier League already being confirmed?

However, aside from that, Watson had a relatively unsung playing career: he amassed healthy appearance tallies at Crystal Palace, Wigan, Watford, and Nottingham Forest, but the FA Cup success was by far the crowning moment of his career.

However, his son Reggie Walsh, currently on the books with Chelsea’s U18s, looks set to become a serious problem in future years. Just 15 years old, Watson is already playing three age groups up and is turning some serious heads.

Incredible scenes yesterday as Chelsea’s Reggie Watson hit a free kick in stoppage time for England against Greece just like David Beckham did 24 years ago 😱 pic.twitter.com/0klGdFEoZi

— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) May 14, 2025

A free-kick specialist, he boasts superb technical ability when on the ball in his favored central midfield position and has already scored notable goals at both club and international youth levels.

One particular moment saw him strike a stunning stoppage-time free kick to win the game for the England U15’s against Greece in very David Beckham circa 2001-esque fashion. Let’s hope for more of the same at senior level.

Bobby Clark, Son of Lee Clark

Though Lee Clark never mustered an international cap for England, the midfielder put together a tidy playing career, which saw him make over 200 appearances for Newcastle United, as well as having lengthy stints at both Sunderland and Fulham.

However, his son Bobby has been the subject of much fanfare since his emergence from Liverpool's youth set-up in 2023. Part of the throw-together side that toppled Chelsea in the 2024 Carabao Cup final, Bobby has arguably already outstripped the trophy haul of his Dad, who only managed a haul of three Championship titles, managing one apiece with Fulham, Sunderland, and Newcastle.

Just three weeks ago Bobby Clark was having a laugh with the Derby fans calling him a Liverpool reject. Now, he's a Derby player! 😂

He's a really tricky and dangerous attacking midfielder that can unlock defences, just what we need.

Welcome Bobby, great signing! 🐏 #DCFC pic.twitter.com/srhsBMHYqw

— Jake Barker (@JakeBarker1212) August 5, 2025

Clark left Anfield for more first-team football in the summer of 2024, and headed to Austria to further his development at RB Salzburg, but after just one season, in which he managed a goal, he found himself flying back to England to join a new-look Derby County on loan this summer with a promotion push in mind.

While he has had a slow start at the Rams, Clark Jr. has undeniable talent, showcased in both his time at Liverpool and at Salzburg. With the Championship considered a prime development ground for young prospects, his first season of Derby has the potential to set the tone for the rest of his career. While he may have started sluggishly, keep an eye out for the 20-year-old.

Jaden and Reigan Heskey, Sons of Emile Heskey

A household name for many, Emile Heskey came to prominence in equal measure for his football ability and, later on, for internet memes and jokes that coincided with the rise of social media.

In his day, Heskey was a lethal center forward—he has 110 Premier League goals to his name and regularly featured in the England setup. He took to the field for his country on 62 occasions, netting seven times.

The Emile Heskey’s sons debuted last night for Man City’s Senior Team.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Reigan Heskey (17, LW)
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jaden Heskey (19, AM)

𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐄𝐄 🤩 pic.twitter.com/482gwi3Xil

— Rising Stars XI (@RisingStarXI) September 25, 2025

Now, his bloodline is looking to carry on his legacy, as it was widely reported in midweek that 17-year-old Reigan and 19-year-old Jaden took to the pitch for the Manchester City senior team to help them see out a straightforward Carabao Cup victory over Huddersfield Town.

Though they only featured for seven and 13 minutes, respectively, the chatter coming out of the Cityzens’ youth ranks is overwhelmingly positive, and with the City being a side in something of a transition, I think we can expect to see more of these two as their domestic cup journeys progress.

Zach Giggs, Son of Ryan Giggs

One of Manchester United’s famed class of 92, any child of Ryan Giggs is going to have veritable Welly boots to fill, not just regular shoes.

The Welshman did it all at United, winning multiple Champions Leagues, a record 13 Premier League titles and a host of both domestic and European trophies to go along with these, earning him the deserved label of one of the greatest wingers of his generation, as well as being considered one of the most decorated players of all time.

Goals from Max Asante-Boakye and Zach Giggs sealed a win for our Under 21s in the #PLCup on Friday night. pic.twitter.com/EsIy8y21mV

— Sheffield United Development (@sufcdevelopment) September 14, 2025

His 18-year-old son, Zach, faces a mammoth task to escape his father’s shadow, but he has made all the right steps in an attempt to do so. Starting out at the United academy, the teenager is now on the books at Sheffield United, and has impressed in their Premier League 2 side, netting multiple times this season despite playing as a wingback.

Named as one of the Premier League's best first-year scholars by the Guardian in 2023, expectations are understandably high for Zach, but while he is impressing in the youth ranks both domestically and internationally, he is yet to make the leap to senior, first-team football. However, with his dad’s blood in his veins, he will undoubtedly take his chance when it eventually comes.

Final Word

There are plenty who have already made the step-up from in-the-shadows prodigies to dominating the pitch at senior level. I’m thinking of players like Khephren and Marcus Thuram (son’s of Lillian) bossing it for Juventus and Inter Milan, respectively; Justin Kluivert (son of Patrick) embedding himself as a key player at Bournemouth; and of course Erling Haaland (son of Alfe), who has rapidly vaulted himself into discussions alongside the world’s best in his four years at Manchester City.

These are the most successful examples of footballing bloodlines - sometimes, the sport truly does run in the family. And while those listed above are still so young and may not be given their shot at the senior level for some time yet, there is no doubt that thanks to the success of their forebears, their kids will go on to achieve great things.