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

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

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

Along with the under-17s, they advanced to the Premier League Cup semi-finals, and professional terms were extended to Demiane Agustien, Luke Banks, Owen Eames, Isaac Gordon, Justin Oguntolu, Adisa Osayande, Johnson Osong, Harley Price, and Marsel Tola.

Academy manager Hale stated on the club’s website: “This season has been incredibly successful in the academy.

The success of the Under-18s is arguably the high point. In addition to their impressive league play, the Under-17s and Under-18s made it to the Premier League Cup semi-finals and had a successful FA Youth Cup run.

We have provided professional terms for all of the second-year scholars, but that group in particular has stood out to us.

They have all earned it. They are diverse players who play a variety of positions and have occasionally stepped up to play for the Under-21s. Several of Derby’s young players have also trained with the first team and made appearances on the bench, while one of the poster boys for the academy’s success, Eiran Cashin, signed a £10 million contract with Brighton in January. “That alone is a great recognition for the talent we have there.”

Lennon Wheeldon, a striker who was on loan at Boston United earlier this season, entered the game late in the 1-0 loss to Swansea.

He joined Under-18s players Johnson Osong, Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu (seen below), Cruz Allen, and Owen Eames, as well as Freddie Turley, Daniel Cox, and Keilen Robinson, who all made appearances on the first team’s bench at different points during the season.

Experience will be beneficial to those individuals, according to Hale, but it will also demonstrate to the other academy members what can be accomplished with the club’s eagerness to rebuild after losing its top players during administration.

Hale stated: “It is fantastic that some of those guys are in and out of the first team and that five or six of them get good exposure.”

Being a part of the matchday and training with them every day benefits the team and demonstrates to the academy what is possible.

We are all here to encourage the players as they work to make the first team, so when it happens, it is a huge lift for everyone.

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