Who is Cardiff and Wales' sensation Dylan Lawlor?

Dylan Lawlor has made just nine senior appearances in all competitions for Cardiff City

Following a man-of-the-match showing on his international debut, Dylan Lawlor rightly earned plaudits from his peers, pundits and fans.

"I was so impressed with Dylan Lawlor. He was so good," said Craig Bellamy following Wales' 1-0 win over Kazakhstan.

It represents the latest magnificent step in what has been a rapid rise for the 19-year-old - whose first ever appearance in senior football came as recently as February.

So who is Dylan Lawlor?

We take a closer look at the teenage defender and his surge to prominence.

A rapid rise

Born in Caerphilly, south Wales, Lawlor joined Cardiff City's academy at the age of seven.

He has been a regular in Wales youth squads throughout the age grades and played a part as his side were crowned joint-champions with Scotland in the 2021 Victory Shield.

Lawlor has enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2025, which saw him earn his debut for Cardiff's first team in the fifth round of the FA Cup against Aston Villa on 28 February. It might well not have happened - he had been attracting National League interest in January but a minor injury scuppered any potential exit.

The centre-back would feature from the bench in the Bluebirds' final Championship fixture of their ill-fated 2024-25 season at Norwich City where Cardiff lost 4-2 to confirm a 24th place finish.

But, like with many other of Cardiff's young guns, relegation has afforded Lawlor the chance to impress under new boss Brian Barry-Murphy - with the Irishman swiftly implementing a new style upon his arrival in the Welsh capital.

Prior to Barry-Murphy joining, Lawlor made his Wales U21s debut against Norway and was then drafted into the senior squad as cover for the injured Neco Williams for the trip to Belgium.

Back at club level, it quickly became apparent that Lawlor suited the ex-Manchester City Elite Development Squad coach's methods to a tee and has subsequently established himself as a key cog in a side that are the early favourites to taste League One glory this term.

He has started all six of his side's league matches this season - helping the Bluebirds keep clean sheets in five of those outings to ensure Cardiff sit top.

Again, this may not have been the case had things panned out differently, with Lawlor's representatives stating he had transfer interest from clubs across England, Scotland, Denmark, Austria and Spain. The Bluebirds are said to have turned down two "firm offers" for the youngster in the summer.

Just six days after signing a new three-year deal with his home club, Lawlor got the nod from Bellamy to make the trip to Astana.

A debut to remember

"We knew it would be hard with the squad withdrawals. Dylan is a big plus from this week… we have gained a player," added Bellamy when discussing's Lawlor's showing in Kazakhstan.

So what do the stats say of the teenager's display?

According to WhoScored.com, Lawlor ended the contest with a 97.6% pass accuracy - the best of any of Wales' starters.

The Cardiff ace won two aerial duels, made two interceptions and made five clearances - each of which were the most of any Wales player - while he also contributed one key pass.

It earned him glowing praise from Wales' Euro 2016 stars Joe Ledley, Ashley Williams and Sam Vokes.

Former centre-back Williams said on BBC Match of the Day Wales: "I think we'll see a lot more of him in the next few games because he's definitely a Craig Bellamy type of player."

Ledley lauded Lawlor's "outstanding" positional play, adding: "I thought he was magnificent. The way he conducted himself, it's like he's been in the team for many years."

Vokes said: "He didn't looked fazed one bit. To go out there at 19-years-old on his debut is a tough ask, but he can hold his head high."

The Premier League beckons?

Dylan Lawlor has helped Cardiff City to seven wins, one draw and six clean sheets in eight all-competition games this season

Despite Lawlor making just 10 senior appearances for club and country so far, former Wales frontman Iwan Roberts feels he has already seen enough of the defender's potential.

"He won't be in League One long," said Roberts.

"He will play in the Premier League. He will have caught eyes with his performances.

"He keeps on getting better. It was a magnificent debut."

Lawlor may well be given another chance to impress in Tuesday night's friendly (19:45 BST) against Canada in Swansea, although, having had a taste of men's football with Wales, the remaining World Cup qualifiers against Belgium, Liechtenstein and North Macedonia will undoubtedly be in his sights.

But closer to home, his focus lies solely on helping Cardiff gain promotion back into the Championship at the first attempt this season.

Ex-Wales and Cardiff defender Danny Gabbidon - who has closely monitored Lawlor's progress - feels the 19-year-old is only going to get better after his headline-grabbing Wales showing.

Gabbidon said: "You obviously look at what happened to Cardiff City last season and it was a difficult time for the club, but sometimes there's a bit of sunshine after the rain and what we've seen is a lot of young players kind of been giving the opportunity this season and Dylan's one of them.

"He's still young and he's only going to get better, you see how well he performed against Kazakhstan, and he's that type of player you see step to the next challenge, and it just seems really comfortable and easy for them.

"There's still a lot to learn, but I've been really impressed with what I've seen from him so far."