Derby County academy rebuild continues to impress as eight players get first-team call.

DerbyshireLive brings you the latest Derby County news, including updates on the club’s academy and a season review.

Matt Hale has reflected on a “really positive” season for Derby County’s academy, as the club strives to develop more future stars.

The under-18s had a fantastic season in the Premier League North, finishing fourth behind heavyweights Manchester United, City, and Everton.

Matt Hale has reflected on a “really positive” season for Derby County’s academy, as the club strives to develop more future stars.

The under-18s had a fantastic season in the Premier League North, finishing fourth behind heavyweights Manchester United, City, and Everton.

They also reached the Premier League Cup semi-finals, as did the under-17s, and Demiane Agustien, Luke Banks, Owen Eames, Isaac Gordon, Justin Oguntolu, Adisa Osayande, Johnson Osong, Harley Price, and Marsel Tola were offered professional contracts.

According to the club’s website, academy manager Hale stated: “It has been another really positive season in the academy.”

“The success of the Under-18s is most likely the highlight. The way they competed in the league was encouraging, and we also saw the Under-17s and Under-18s reach the Premier League Cup semi-finals, as well as a successful run in the FA Youth Cup.

“That group in particular has been a stand-out for us and we’ve offered professional terms of all the second-year scholars.”

“That alone is a fantastic recognition of the talent we have there. It is unusual for all of them to be offered contracts, but we are particularly excited about that age group.

“They have all deserved it. They are different types of players who play in a variety of positions and have occasionally represented the Under-21s.”

Derby’s young players have trained with the first team and sat on the bench. Eiran Cashin, one of the academy’s success stories, moved to Brighton for £10 million in January.

Striker Lennon Wheeldon, who was on loan at Boston United earlier this season, came on as a late substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Swansea.

He joined Freddie Turley, Daniel Cox, and Keilen Robinson, as well as Under-18s players Johnson Osong, Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu (pictured below), Cruz Allen, and Owen Eames, all of whom appeared on the first team bench at various points during the season.

Hale believes that experience will benefit those players while also demonstrating to the rest of the academy what can be accomplished with a club eager to rebuild after losing its best players during the administration.

Hale stated, “It is fantastic for some of those lads to be in and around the first team and gain exposure for five or six of them.

“Training with them on a daily basis and participating in matchdays benefits the entire group and demonstrates to everyone in the academy what is possible.

“It is a real lift for everyone when it happens; it’s what we are all here for to support the players as they strive to get themselves into the first team.”

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