Highlights from the Watford Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Hertfordshire, Watford Academy is a category 2 academy.
- Academy Manager: Richard Johnson
- Academy Head of Coaching: Micah Hyde
- Under-21 Lead Coach: Charlie Daniels
- Under-18 Lead Coach: Dan Gosling
Watford Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Watford players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Watford Scholars 2025/26
- Finley Murray (Goalkeeper)
- Chaniel Ogieva-Okunbor (Defender)
- Raphael London (Defender)
- Tomiwa Adeyimika (Defender)
- Marley Clarke (Defender)
- Kiefer Gorman (Midfielder)
- Albert Stevens (Midfielder)
- Horacio Ali Sticca (Midfielder)
- Charlie McLoughlin (Midfielder)
- Cayden Lamothe (Forward)
Watford Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
Youth players on loan.
- Michael Adu-Poku (Forward) Barrow
- Myles Roberts (Goalkeeper) Walsall
- James Clarridge (Defender) Aldershot Town; Braintree Town
- Zavier Massiah-Edwards (Forward) Eastleigh; Braintree Town
- Jonathan Lawson (Forward) Banbury United; Folkestone Invicta
- Travis Akomeah (Defender) Gillingham
- Leo Ramirez-Espain (Midfielder) Yeovil Town
- Tom Georgiou (Defender) Leverstock Green
- Marats Galajevs (Midfielder) Royston Town
- Jonathan Macaulay (Goalkeeper) Ebbsfleet United
- Gabriel Ortelli (Goalkeeper) St Alban City
- Nikoloz Chikovani (Forward) Royal Charleroi SC
- Tobi Adeyemo (Forward) Crawley Town
- Ollie Stephenson (Defender) Royston Town
- Jael Norville (Forward) Leverstock Green
- Roraigh Browne (Goalkeeper) Welling United; Maidenhead United
- Zack Braverman (Goalkeeper) AFC Dunstable
- Josh Keyes (Forward) Potters Bar Town
- Romiero Moulton (Forward) Worthing
- Kash Odiase (Forward) Royston Town; Walton and Hersham
- Amar Sanghrajka (Midfielder) St Albans City
- Tyler Notley (Defender) Northwood; Hendon
- Alfie Marriott (Goalkeeper) Slough Town
Watford Academy International Players 2025/26
- Kristian Shevchenko (Forward) Ukraine U20
Watford Academy Competitions
U17 and U18 Premier League Cup
In 2017, the Premier League introduced the U18 Premier League Cup and the U16 Premier League Cup, renaming the latter to the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020 for their respective age groups.
The seven group winners, along with the best runner-up determined by total points, goal difference, and then head-to-head record, will progress to the quarterfinals.
U17 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Watford U17 are drawn in Group A against under 17 teams from Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
- Watford U17 lost away against Fulham U17 (2 – 1)
- Watford U17 drew at home against Arsenal U17 (3 – 3)
- Watford U17 lost away against Crystal Palace U17 (4 – 1)
U18 Professional Development League
The Under-18 Professional Development League is a leading English youth competition for Category Two academies, comprising 20 teams split into North and South regional divisions.
It delivers a high-level development pathway for promising players, combining league competition with a national play-off system.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
U18 Professional Development League Cup
Established for the 2021/22 season, the Professional Development League Cup features 32 teams divided into eight groups of four.
The group winners advance to the knockout stages.
U18 Professional Development League Cup Group Stage
Watford U18 are drawn in Group D against under-18 teams: Luton Town, Oxford United and Colchester United.
Fixtures Schedule (Group D)
- Match Round 1 (Tuesday 26 August 2025) Watford v Colchester United
- Match Round 2 (Saturday 4 October 2025) Oxford United v Watford
- Match Round 3 (Saturday 22 November 2025) Watford v Luton Town
- Watford U18 drew at home against Colchester United U18 (3 – 3)
- Trialist
- Kymani Smith-Daley
- Tomiwa Akinyimika
- Watford U18 lost away against Oxford United U18 (1 – 0)
- Watford U18 lost at home against Luton Town U18 (1 – 4)
FA Youth Cup
Third Round Proper
Watford U18 have been drawn at home against Plymouth Argyle U18
- Watford U18 won at home against Plymouth Argyle U18 (1 – 0)
- Jael Norville
Fourth Round Proper
Watford U18 have been drawn at home against Charlton Athletic U18
- Watford U18 lost at home against Charlton Athletic U18 (1 – 3)
- Kymani Smith-Daley
Professional Development League
Professional Development League 2—is England’s main youth competition for Category Two academies. It sits just below Premier League 2, providing Under-21 players with a key pathway toward first-team football.
The league is split into regional North and South divisions, with play-offs determining the national champion, and it offers a highly competitive platform for developing top young talent.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
U21 Premier League Cup
The Premier League Cup was introduced in the 2013/14 season to enhance competition during the Professional Development Phase.
It added a knockout tournament alongside the regular league schedule. For the 2025/26 season, the format features nine groups.
The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the knockout stage, along with the seven best second-placed teams.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Watford U21 are drawn in Group D against under 21 teams from Coventry City, Leyton Orient and Blackburn Rovers.
- Watford U21 lost away against Leyton Orient U21 (3 – 2)
- Nickson Okosun
- Amin Nabizada
- Watford U21 won at home against Coventry City U21 (4 – 1)
- Zavier Massiah-Edwards
- Amar Sanghrajka
- Raul Vancea
- Amin Nabizada
- Watford U21 won at home against Blackburn U21 (2 – 1)
- Nickson Okosun
- Zavier Massiah-Edwards
- Watford U21 lost at home against Leyton Orient U21 (2 – 1)
- Remiero Moulton (2)
- Watford U21 drew away against Coventry City U21 (0 – 0)
- Watford U21 lost away against Blackburn Rovers U21 (4 – 2)
- Kristian Shevchenko (2)
Round of 16
- Watford U21 won at home against Charlton Athletic U21 (3 – 2)
- Amin Nabizada
- Jonathan Lawson
- Tobi Akinyimika
Quarter Final
- Watford U21 lost away against Sunderland U21 (3 – 1)
- Max Smith
Hertfordshire Senior Cup
Watford U21 will play Potters Bar Town away in the second round of the Hertfordshire Senior Cup.
- Watford U21 won away against Potters Bar (2 – 4)
- Nickson Okosun
- Hayden Barrett (2)
- Amin Nabizada
Watford U21 will play away against Hitchin Town in the quarter-finals
Watford Academy News
22nd May 2025
In the Under-18s, professional contracts have been offered to second-year scholars Hayden Barrett, Tom Georgiou, Conrad Hunt, Sam Morris, Kash Odiase, Amar Sanghrajka, Kristian Shevchenko, Max Smith, and Ollie Stephenson.
First-year scholars Marats Galajevs and Raul Vancea have also been offered professional deals.
23rd June 2025
Watford Under-21 Pre-Season Fixtures:
- Sat, July 12 (3pm): Potters Bar Town – Lantern Community Stadium
- Sat, July 19: Nottingham Forest – Forest Academy
- Tue, July 22 (7pm): Bedford Town – The Eyrie
- Sat, July 26: Brighton – Watford Training Ground
- Tue, July 29: PFA Unsigned XI – Watford Training Ground
- Sat, Aug 2: Leicester City – Leicester Training Ground
- Tue, Aug 5: Norwich City – Aviant Training Centre
Watford Under-18 Pre-Season Fixtures:
- Sat, July 12: Kinetic – Watford Training Ground
- Tue, July 22: Stoke City – Stoke Training Ground
- Sat, July 26: Leyton Orient – Watford Training Ground
- Tue, July 29: Opponent TBC
- Fri, Aug 1: Manchester United – Carrington
- Tue, Aug 5: Northampton Town – Moulton College
22nd July 2025
Twelve Academy players have signed professional contracts with Watford, having been offered the deals at the end of last season.
The agreements are now officially confirmed ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Signed One Year Plus One Year Option
- Hayden Barrett (Midfielder)
- Conrad Hunt (Defender)
- Jonathan Lawson (Forward)
- Kristian Shevchenko (Forward)
Signed Two Year Plus One Year Option
- Marats Galajevs (Midfielder)
- Tom Georgiou (Defender)
- Sam Morris (Goalkeeper)
- Kash Odiase (Forward)
- Amar Sanghrajka (Midfielder)
- Max Smith (Forward)
- Ollie Stephenson (Defender)
- Raul Vancea (Defender)
30th July 2025
Remiero Moulton has returned to Watford’s academy setup having left to join Brighton & Hove Albion
The 19-year-old forward has signed a three-year contract with the Hornets, which includes an option for the club to extend the deal by an additional year.
31st August 2025
Academy graduate Ryan Andrews has completed a move to Swiss Super League side BSC Young Boys.
21st November 2025
Academy goalkeeper Gabriel Ortelli has signed a new professional contract with the club.
The 19-year-old’s deal runs until the end of the 2028/29 season, with an option to extend for an additional year.
27th November 2025
Watford Academy defender Tom Georgiou has extended his loan at Leverstock Green for a second time, keeping him at the Lords Builders Merchants Stadium for another month.
28th November 2025
Watford’s FA Youth Cup third-round clash with Argyle will be played at Kings Langley FC on Monday, 15 December, kicking off at 7 PM.
16th December 2025
Watford U18s booked their place in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup with a 1-0 win over Plymouth Argyle U18. They will face Charlton Athletic in the next round.
23rd December 2025
Watford U18 will welcome Charlton Athletic to Vicarage Road for their fourth round tie on Thursday 8 January, with kick-off at 7pm.
8th January 2025
Watford U18s’ FA Youth Cup campaign ended in the fourth round after a 3–1 home defeat to Charlton Athletic U18s.
6th March 2026
Kash Odiase has extended his loan spell with Walton & Hersham FC until the end of the season.