Luke Littler already surpassed as 16-year-old Belgian darts prodigy becomes youngest player in European Tour history

LUKE LITTLER has already been surpassed as the youngest player in European Tour history.

Born van Put is just 16-years-old but has burst onto the scene thanks to his raw talent.

He has made the step up to the professional ranks after playing on the youth circuit, featuring on the European Tour.

Van Put was born on November 19 2007 - making him younger than Littler when The Nuke first featured on the tour.

But unlike Littler, Van Put did not hit the ground running as he was beaten 6-3 by Lukas Wenig.

And he is still not the youngest darts player to feature on the professional circuit.

That honour goes to Mitchell Clegg, who was just 16 years and 37 days old when he faced Raymond van Barneveld in the first round of the World Darts Championship in 2006.

Max Hopp was also just 16 years and 117 days old when he played Denis Ovens in the 2012-13 World Championships.

Littler has taken the darts world by storm since defying the odds to reach the world final in January.

He was included in Premier League Darts after that effort, where he ranks in third place after six nights.

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In Brighton on Thursday Littler defeated Nathan Aspinall before losing to 2023 world champion Michael Smith.

He had a bit of fun with his pal The Asp and fans loved their hilarious exchange on stage.