Middlesbrough Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in North Yorkshire, Middlesbrough FC runs a category 1 academy based in North Yorkshire.
- Under-21s Lead Coach: Mark Tinkler
Middlesbrough Academy Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Middlesbrough players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Middlesbrough Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
Youth players on loan.
- Law McCabe (Midfielder) Plymouth Argyle
- Charlie Lennon (Forward) Darlington
- Max Howells (Forward) Darlington
- Luke Woolston (Midfielder) South Shields
- Frankie Coulson (Forward) Morpeth Town
- Brayden Johnson (Midfielder) Kidderminster Harriers
- Rio Patterson-Powell (Midfielder) Gateshead
- Shea Connor (Goalkeeper) Gateshead
Middlesbrough Academy products in the First Team 2025/26
- George McCormick (Defender) #40
- Sonny Finch (Forward) #39
- Law McCabe (Midfielder) #28
Middlesbrough Academy International Players 2025/26
- Law McCabe (Midfielder) England U20
Academy Competitions
U18 Premier League
The league divides teams into North and South groups for the U18s, calling it the U18 Premier League.
Middlesbrough Under-18 play in the North League
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
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
Middlesbrough U17 are drawn in Group F against under 17 teams from Leeds, Newcastle and Sunderland.
- Middlesbrough U17 lost at home against Newcastle United U17 (1 – 2)
- Middlesbrough U17 won away against Leeds U17 (1 – 2)
- Middlesbrough U17 won away against Sunderland U17 (1 – 3)
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Middlesbrough U18 are drawn in Group G against under 18 teams from Brighton, Manchester United and Birmingham City.
- Middlesbrough U18 won away against Birmingham City U18 (2 – 1)
- Oliver Martin
- Cruz Ibeh
- Middlesbrough U18 lost at home against Manchester United (0 – 2)
- Middlesbrough U18 lost away against Brighton U18 (3 – 2)
FA Youth Cup
Third Round Proper
Middlesbrough U18 have been drawn away against Reading U18
- Middlesbrough U18 lost away against Reading U18 (2 – 2) (7 – 6 after Pens)
National League Cup
The National League Cup is a 32-team midweek competition, comprising of 16 Under-21s teams participating in Premier League 2 and 16 National League club first teams.
Premier League 2
Starting from the 2023 season, all Category 1 teams compete in a single league using the Swiss-style format.
There are a total of 29 clubs competing in the 2025/26 season.
Entry into or removal from this league depends on meeting the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
Premier League 2 PlayOff
Round of 16
Middlesbrough U21 have been drawn away against Chelsea U21
- Middlesbrough U21 lost away against Chelsea U21 (1 – 0)
Premier League 2 Player of the Month
November 2025
- Sonny Finch (Nominee)
National League Cup Group Stage
Middlesbrough U21s have been placed in Group D in the 2nd edition of the National League Cup competition.
They will face Boston United, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead and Scunthorpe United, with all matches being played away from home.
- Middlesbrough U21 lost away against Boston United (2 – 1)
- Max Howells
- Middlesbrough U21 lost away against FC Halifax (2 – 1)
- Sonny Finch
- Middlesbrough U21 lost away against Scunthorpe (3 – 2)
- Sonny Finch
- Tyler Smith
North Riding Senior Cup
Middlesbrough Academy News
9th May 2025
Teenager Prince Acheampong has put pen to paper on his first professional contract with Middlesbrough.
26th June 2025
Josh Coburn has completed a permanent move from Middlesbrough to Millwall, with the Lions breaking their transfer record to secure the striker following his loan spell last season.
1st July 2025
Goalkeeper Owen Foster has joined Middlesbrough from Hull City. The 20-year-old has signed a one-year deal after making a strong impression during a trial at the end of last season.
4th July 2025
19-year-old Defender Archie Baptiste has joined the club following his departure from Tottenham Hotspur last month.
25th July 2025
Centre-back Jack Daley, 18, has joined the U21s after a successful trial. He made 37 senior appearances and scored six goals for Newcastle Blue Star last season.
Winger Jayden Carbon, 19, has signed a two-year deal after joining from National League side Oxford City.
7th November 2025
Middlesbrough midfielder Law McCabe has received a call-up to the England U20 squad ahead of their upcoming match against Japan at Doncaster Rovers next Friday.
17th November 2025
Teenager Cruz Ibeh has agreed to his first professional deal with Middlesbrough FC.
20th November 2025
Middlesbrough U18s will travel to face Reading U18 in the FA Youth Cup third round on Wednesday, December 3rd, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00 pm.
1st December 2025
Max Howells has extended his loan spell at Darlington through to the new year.
3rd December 2025
Middlesbrough U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the third round with 2 – 2 and a 7 – 6 defeat after penalties to Reading U18s.
4th December 2025
Young forward Layton Campbell has signed professional terms with Boro after impressing for the Under-21s, including a two-goal display in a 2‑2 PL2 draw with Norwich City.
Formerly with Blackpool and Sunderland, he played senior football for Whitley Bay this season.
Sonny Finch has been shortlisted for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for November.
6th January 2026
Ollie Martin has signed his first professional contract with Boro.
21st May 2026
Promising midfielder Lucas Harrison has been rewarded for his impressive development by signing his first professional contract.
The 18-year-old has agreed to a two-year deal after enjoying a standout season.