The Premier League Debut Balls initiative is in its sixth season and celebrates the achievement of homegrown players in making their first appearance in the top flight.
A Debut Ball is given to all homegrown debutants who have been developed at an Academy of a club in the English football pyramid for three years or more prior to their 21st birthday.
Each player receives an official Nike match ball from the season of their debut, housed in a personalised, engraved case.
"The Debut Ball initiative provides a great opportunity to recognise what is a significant milestone in a player's career, and the hard work and dedication required for him to arrive at this point," said the Premier League's Head of Youth, Neil Saunders.
"It is also a nice opportunity to recognise the important role of the Academy, the player’s family, and others who may have supported his development."
Launched in 2015/16, the Debut Balls initiative also underlines the Premier League's ongoing commitment to develop more and better homegrown players through its Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP).
2020/21 homegrown debutants*
| Player | Club | Debut match | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Cash | AVL | v SHU (H) 21 Sep | - |
| Jacob Ramsey | AVL | v FUL (A) 28 Sep | - |
| Ollie Watkins | AVL | v SHU (H) 21 Sep | - |
| Jayson Molumby | BHA | v AVL (A) 21 Nov | - |
| Robert Sanchez | BHA | v TOT (A) 1 Nov | Video |
| Ben White | BHA | v CHE (H) 14 Sep | - |
| Josh Benson | BUR | v MCI (A) 28 Nov | Details |
| Jimmy Dunne | BUR | v LEI (A), 20 Sep | Details |
| Bailey Peacock-Farrell | BUR | v MCI (A) 28 Nov | Details |
| Lewis Richardson | BUR | v TOT (A) 28 Feb | - |
| Eberechi Eze | CRY | v SOU (H) 12 Sep | Photos |
| Nathan Broadhead | EVE | v BHA (A) 12 Apr | - |
| Joao Virginia | EVE | v BUR (H) 13 Mar | - |
| Tosin Adarabioyo | FUL | v SHU (A) 18 Oct | Details |
| Fabio Carvalho | FUL | v CHE (A) 1 May | - |
| Tyrese Francois | FUL | v NEW (H) 23 May | - |
| Michael Hector | FUL | v ARS (H) 12 Sep | Details |
| Josh Maja | FUL | v WHU (H) 6 Feb | Details |
| Antonee Robinson | FUL | v WOL (A) 4 Oct | Details |
| Marek Rodak | FUL | v ARS (H) 12 Sep | Details |
| Luke Ayling | LEE | v LIV (A) 12 Sep | - |
| Leif Davis | LEE | v MCI (H) 3 Oct | - |
| Jack Harrison | LEE | v LIV (A) 12 Sep | - |
| Niall Huggins | LEE | v ARS (A) 14 Feb | - |
| Kalvin Phillips | LEE | v LIV (A) 12 Sep | - |
| Ian Poveda-Ocampo | LEE | v SHU (A) 27 Sep | - |
| Jamie Shackleton | LEE | v LIV (A) 12 Sep | - |
| Thakgalo Leshabela | LEI | v SHU (H) 14 Mar | - |
| Sidnei Tavares | LEI | v BUR (A) 3 Mar | - |
| Caoimhin Kelleher | LIV | v WOL (H) 6 Dec | Details |
| Nathaniel Phillips | LIV | v WHU (H) 31 Oct | Details |
| Rhys Williams | LIV | v TOT (H) 16 Dec | Details |
| Liam Delap | MCI | v LEI (H) 27 Sep | Video |
| Anthony Elanga | MUN | v LEI (H) 11 May | - |
| William Fish | MUN | v WOL (A) 23 May | - |
| Shola Shoretire | MUN | v NEW (H) 21 Feb | - |
| Elliot Anderson | NEW | v ARS (A) 18 Jan | Video |
| Jayden Bogle | SHU | v BHA (A) 20 Dec | Details |
| Rhian Brewster | SHU | v FUL (H) 18 Oct | Details |
| Kean Bryan | SHU | v WBA (A) 28 Nov | Details |
| Antwoine Hackford | SHU | v CRY (A) 2 Jan | Details |
| Max Lowe | SHU | v FUL (H) 18 Oct | Details |
| Daniel N'Lundulu | SOU | v EVE (H) 25 Oct | - |
| Caleb Watts | SOU | v ARS (H) 26 Jan | - |
| Joe Rodon | TOT | v BUR (A) 26 Oct | - |
| Dane Scarlett | TOT | v WBA (H) 7 Feb | Details |
| Semi Ajayi | WBA | v LEI (H) 13 Sep | Details |
| Kyle Edwards | WBA | v LEI (H) 13 Sep | Details |
| Conor Gallagher | WBA | v BUR (H) 19 Oct | Details |
| Sam Johnstone | WBA | v LEI (H) 13 Sep | Details |
| Dara O'Shea | WBA | v LEI (H) 13 Sep | Details |
| Romaine Sawyers | WBA | v LEI (H) 13 Sep | Details |
| Conor Townsend | WBA | v CHE (H) 26 Sep | Details |
| Owen Otasowie | WOL | v CHE (H) 15 Dec | Details |
*Correct up to 23 May 2021
