But not all kick on to have particularly good careers which is a warning to those who were handed surpise opportunities in the Championship last season.
Here are the 20 youngest Posh players to represent the club at second tier level in the Football League. The list includes five who made their Championship debut last season.
9. 12th KAI CORBETT
Championship debut v Barnsley, November 27, 2021 aged 19 years and 50 days. This teenage striker was surprisingly given a Posh debut in what was already a relegation six-pointer in November last season. He made little impact and hasn't played since, although he suffered injuries in the second-half of the season. He was always seen as a long-term project when turning down a new contract with West Ham United to join Posh. Photo: Joe Dent
10. 11th JASON BRISSETT
Second tier debut v Barnsley, August 17, 1993 aged 18 years 344 days. The winger arrived on a free transfer from Arsenal and, while possessing obvious natural ability, he could be petulant and untrustworthy on and off the field. He made 48 appearances, scoring three goals, including one in an FA Cup draw with Spurs. He's pictured celebrating after that game in the bath! Brissett went on to play for Bournemouth, Walsall, Cheltenham, Leyton Orient and Stevenage without a great deal of success. He did play in the 1988 Auto Windscreen Final at Wembley for Bournemouth, but that was as good as it got. Photo: Alan Storer
11. 10th DANNY MILLS
Championship debut v Barnsley, April 5, 2010 aged 18 years and 307 days. Posh made some bizarre signings in the relegation season of 2009-10 including this striker who started just one game in two-and-a-half years at London Road after arriving from Crawley. It was the only Football League game he ever started before embarking on a journey around the non-league circuit. He played for Dulwich Hamlet last season. Photo: Joe Dent
12. 9th RYAN TUNNICLIFFE
Championship debut v Crystal Palace, August 6, 2011 aged 18 years and 218 days. Posh haven't had a great deal of success in the loan market for many seasons including in 2011-12 when they took midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe from Manchester United. He was okay, but struggled to get into a side big on technical ability under Darren Ferguson. Tunnicliffe started just 10 games (he was used from the bench on 17 other occasions) before Posh let him him return to Old Trafford. He has since forged a reasonable career at Fulham, Millwall, Luton and now Portsmouth. Photo: David Lowndes