Southampton: 5 Youth Products That Went On To Big Things Before Gareth Bale

4. Theo Walcott

For Saints: At 16 and 275 days, Bale is the second youngest player ever to appear for Saints. The youngest? Bale's former housemate Theo Walcott. At the age of 15 Walcott was already playing for Southampton's reserve team while starring in the team that reached the final of the F.A. Youth Cup. After Saints were relegated from the Premier League in 2005, Walcott made his debut in their first Championship game against Wolves. He was 16 years and 143 days old. In a difficult transitional period for the club, Walcott's huge promise and blistering pace made him one of the few bright spots as he quickly established himself in the first team. After picking up 5 goals before Christmas, an inevitable big money transfer to the Premiership swiftly followed. After Saints: Walcott is currently in his ninth season with Arsenal after his £9 million move in January 2006 and during that time he has steadily improved to become a more complete player than the one that relied almost entirely on an incredible turn of pace. Within months of joining the North London club, Walcott became the youngest ever England international at just 17 years and 75 days. It was only after this that he also became the youngest ever goalscorer for England's Under-21 team and later went on to be the youngest scorer of a hat-trick for the senior team when he netted three times against Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in 2008. Walcott's inclusion in the 2006 World Cup squad was a bit of a surprise for many, but then so was his equally strange omission from the squad in 2010. Despite this, and being initially slow to fulfill his vast promise, Walcott has developed his game greatly to become a key player for both Arsenal and England last season and thus beats Gunners team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to be the only current player on this list. Last season he managed an impressive 21 goals and 14 assists in 43 games. An early season injury means that he has played a little less of a part in Arsenal's excellent start this year, but as he returns to fitness he will undoubtedly have a role to play in their title challenge. Still just 24, Walcott has plenty yet to achieve.