Remember the name: Owen Elding – PLG’s rising star lights up the League of Ireland
PLG agency have plenty to celebrate right now. Fresh from being named Agency of the Year at the 2025 Global Football Industry Awards, one of their brightest young clients has just picked up one of Irish football’s top individual honours.
On Instagram, PLG shared the news with a simple, proud message:
“Congratulations to our client Owen Elding who has won the PFAI Young Player of the Year Award. Owen netted 16 times in 38 matches for Sligo Rovers, his excellent performances also saw him named in the PFAI Team of the Year. Well deserved, Owen.”
For a 19-year-old forward who only recently broke into senior football, it is a statement season – and a sign that PLG’s talent pipeline is delivering.
From Leeds to the Showgrounds – Elding’s path to the PFAI awards
Early life and football roots
Owen Elding was born in England and grew up in a football-obsessed family. His father, former striker Anthony Elding, played for clubs including Leeds United, Stockport County and Sligo Rovers. When Anthony moved to Sligo, the family followed – and Ireland quickly became home for Owen.
Growing up around professional dressing rooms meant the young forward was exposed early to elite standards, training routines and expectations. That background shows in his maturity and work rate on the pitch.
Breakthrough season with Sligo Rovers
Elding’s 2024 campaign with Sligo Rovers was nothing short of explosive. Operating mainly across the front line – comfortable wide or through the middle – he became the focal point of Sligo’s attack.
- In the Irish Premier Division he delivered 12 goals and 4 assists, despite his age.
- In the FAI Cup he added 4 more goals, taking his tally to 16 goals in 38 matches in all competitions.
Those numbers would be impressive for any senior forward – for a teenager carrying a big share of attacking responsibility in a relegation battle, they are outstanding.
Coaches and team-mates have repeatedly highlighted his powerful shooting, clever movement off the ball and willingness to press from the front. It is that complete, hard-running style that has scouts across Britain and Europe paying close attention.
International potential
Because he has spent much of his life in Ireland and is deeply embedded in the football culture there, Elding is eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland. There has already been public discussion about fast-tracking his paperwork so he can join up with the Irish youth set-up.
Given his age, production and ceiling, it would be no surprise to see him wearing green at under-21 level – and potentially beyond – in the near future.
Who are PLG – the agency behind Elding’s rise?
A growing force in the agency landscape
PLG is an increasingly influential football agency working across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe. The firm focuses on long-term career planning for players rather than short-term transfers, positioning itself as a modern, boutique alternative to the global giants.
Their win as Agency of the Year at the 2025 Global Football Industry Awards underlined how far they have come in a short time, beating heavyweight competitors such as Gestifute, Wasserman and CAA Stellar. You can read more about that success in our detailed feature on PLG’s GFIA triumph.
Player-first philosophy
PLG’s messaging around Elding mirrors the way they talk about their wider client roster – an emphasis on hard work, humility and incremental development. Rather than pushing for the fastest possible move abroad, they appear committed to building strong foundations in the League of Ireland before choosing the right step at the right time.
For a player like Elding, who already has suitors watching from across the water, that kind of measured guidance could be crucial.
What Elding’s award means for his future
Validation of a breakout year
Winning PFAI Young Player of the Year and being named in the Team of the Year is a powerful endorsement from his fellow professionals. It confirms that Elding is not just a promising youngster, but one of the standout attacking players in the league.
For Sligo Rovers, it is proof that their development pathway is working. For PLG, it is another case study they can point to when pitching to the next wave of young talent.
Transfer interest and next steps
With a long contract at Sligo and such an eye-catching season behind him, it is inevitable that interest will grow from bigger leagues. Clubs in England and the Premier League or Championship are always searching for mobile forwards who combine physicality with end product – Elding ticks those boxes.
The key question now is timing. Another strong season in Ireland could give him added experience and bargaining power, while an early move might fast-track his exposure to top-level football. That is where PLG’s strategic input will become central.
