The Premiership has continued to gain a bigger profile across recent years with the introduction of full-time football and increased investment.
Transfermarkt assign a market value to every top-flight player in Northern Ireland, which they say is “calculated by taking into account various pricing models and isn’t considered the same as a transfer fee. The goal is not to predict a price but an expected value of a player in a free market”.
We can use their findings to see who they view as the Irish League’s most valuable players. Here’s their top 25!
NOTE: Market values and data provided by Transfermarkt.
21. Kirk Millar (Linfield)
Millar has been one of the Irish League's top players for the past decade, topping the assists chart across that time span, and played a key role once again for the Blues last season. Photo: Andrew McCarroll
22. Dylan Sloan (Larne)
Northern Ireland U21 international Sloan has formed a key part of Larne's squad in recent seasons and still only 21, there's plenty more to come from him at Inver Park - or maybe even further afield. Photo: Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press
23. Dylan Boyle (Coleraine)
Named Coleraine's Player of the Year in his debut season at The Showgrounds, midfielder Boyle is another capable of making a move across the water. Photo: DESMOND LOUGHERY
24. Shaun Want (Larne)
Want was named Larne's Player of the Year last season with the Scottish defender impressive as the Inver Reds sealed European football. Photo: DESMOND LOUGHERY