Nottingham Forest Academy

Nottingham Forest FC runs a category 1 academy based in the East Midlands. They have a youth development program that nurtures young talent.

The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @NFFCAcademy.

Academy Competitions

Each season, the Academy competes across the standard slate of competitions for Category One clubs:

• U18 Premier League – split into North and South divisions; Nottingham Forest’s Under-18s play in the North League.
• U17 & U18 Premier League Cup – introduced by the Premier League in 2017 (originally as the U16 Premier League Cup, renamed the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020); seven group winners plus the best runner-up (by points, goal difference, then head-to-head) progress to the quarter-finals.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.
• Premier League 2 – since 2023, all Category One academies play in a single Swiss-style league, with entry and removal governed by Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
• U21 Premier League Cup – introduced in the 2013/14 season to add a knockout tournament alongside the regular Professional Development Phase league schedule, featuring nine groups with the top team in each group plus the seven best runners-up advancing to the knockout stage.
• Premier League International Cup – four groups of eight, each combining four UK-based Under-21 sides with four invited overseas development squads; the top two in each group advance to the knockout stage.
• Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy) – a midweek knockout competition featuring clubs from EFL League One and League Two alongside 16 invited Category One academies, regionalised into northern and southern sections through to the quarter-finals.
• National League Cup – a 32-team midweek competition comprising 16 Under-21 sides from Premier League 2 and 16 National League club first teams.

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Head of Academy Chris McGuane, Head of Football & Talent Management Craig Mulholland, and Under-21 Lead Coach Warren Joyce.

Full details of players retained, released, or returned from loan following the 2024/25 season can be found on the club’s official retained list.

Scholars 2025/26

Alastair Graham (Goalkeeper), Joe Bailey (Goalkeeper), Harvey Andrews (Defender), Spencer Sutton (Defender), Kalum Thompson (Midfielder)

Eleazar Lokote (Midfielder), Riko Robinson (Midfielder), Shakur Samuels (Forward), Basima Balagizi (Forward) and Kanye Bradshaw (Forward).

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• Kyle McAdam (Midfielder) – Mansfield Town; Northampton Town
• Tyler Bindon (Defender) – Sheffield United
• Joe Gardner (Forward) – Mansfield Town
• Jamie McDonnell (Midfielder) – Mansfield Town
• Josh Powell (Defender) – Colchester United; Fleetwood Town
• Esapa Osong (Forward) – Motherwell; Fleetwood Town
• George Murray-Jones (Goalkeeper) – Chester
• Jack Thompson (Defender) – Barrow
• Donnell McNeilly (Forward) – Wycombe Wanderers
• Alfie Bradshaw (Midfielder) – Bracknell Town; Stocksbridge Park Steels
• Ben Hammond (Midfielder) – Northampton Town
• Cormac Daly (Midfielder) – Hereford
• Cherif Yaya (Midfielder) – Hereford

Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26

Zach Abbott (Defender, #44), Keehan Willows (Goalkeeper, #67), Zyan Blake (Forward, #77), Jack Thompson (Defender, #58), Jimmy Sinclair (Midfielder, #61)

Ben Hammond (Defender, #64), Archie Whitehall (Midfielder, #51), Buba Sanneh (Defender, #76).

International Players 2025/26

• Isaac Davies (Midfielder) – Wales U18
• Chinaza Nwosu (Midfielder) – England U18
• Kalum Thompson (Forward) – Northern Ireland U19
• Blaine McClure (Midfielder) – Northern Ireland U19
• Danny Anjisko (Forward) – Latvia U21
• Zach Abbott (Defender) – England U20
• Ben Hammond (Defender) – Wales U21
• Matthew Orr (Defender) – Northern Ireland U21
• Joe Gardner (Forward) – Ireland U21
• Jamie McDonnell (Midfielder) – Northern Ireland First Team

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Nottingham Forest’s Under-17s were drawn in Group B against Under-17 sides from Birmingham City, Derby County and Leicester City.

For the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group E against Ipswich Town, Sunderland and West Ham.

In the FA Youth Cup third round proper, the Under-18s were drawn away against Sunderland. In Premier League 2.

Kalum Thompson was nominated for the Player of the Month award for November 2025.

In the U21 Premier League Cup, Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s were drawn in Group G against Millwall, Swansea City and Wolves.

As defending champions of the Premier League International Cup, Nottingham Forest were drawn in Group C against PSG, Dinamo Zagreb, Benfica and Real Sociedad, alongside fellow UK sides Brighton, Chelsea and Newcastle United.

In the Vertu Trophy, the Under-21s were drawn into Northern Group B alongside Barrow, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers.

In the National League Cup, Nottingham Forest were placed in Group B of the competition’s second edition, drawn against Wealdstone, Forest Green, Boreham Wood and Braintree Town, with all matches played away from home.

Season Timeline

May 2025

• Ethan Broomes committed his future to Nottingham Forest by signing a new contract that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2027.
• Adam Berry signed a new contract with Nottingham Forest Academy.

June 2025

• Kyle Adam signed a one-year contract extension and joined Mansfield Town on loan for the 2025/26 season.

July 2025

• Former B Team players secured new clubs: Sam Collins signed for King’s Lynn Town, Jack Nadin joined The New Saints, and Jack Perkins moved to Northampton Town. Manni Norkett signed with Cheltenham Town, while Harry Griffith secured a move to Notts County, both clubs competing in EFL League Two.
• Ben Perry, 20, completed a permanent move to Colchester United for an undisclosed fee.
• 19-year-old Gambian youth international forward Lamin Sillah signed a contract with Nottingham Forest running until the summer of 2028, joining from Olympiacos Piraeus U19 to link up with Warren Joyce’s B Team squad.

August 2025

• Dale Taylor left the club to join Blackpool on a permanent deal; since arriving from Linfield in 2018, Taylor had EFL loan spells with Burton Albion, Wycombe Wanderers, and Wigan Athletic in 2024/25.

September 2025

• Centre-back Matthew Orr signed for Nottingham Forest Academy from Linfield on a three-year contract.
• Nottingham Forest secured the signing of 17-year-old midfielder Chinaza Nwosu, who joined on a three-year contract following his departure from West Ham.

October 2025

• Gabriel Schluter joined Nottingham Forest from Blackpool; the 16-year-old winger made history the previous November as Blackpool’s youngest-ever senior player at just 15 years, nine months and 27 days.
• Goalkeeper Ally Graham signed his first professional contract with Nottingham Forest, keeping him at the club until summer 2028.

November 2025

• Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche included six Academy graduates on the bench for the Europa League match away to SK Sturm Graz. Forward Joe Gardner was named in the Ireland U21 squad for the upcoming matches against England and Andorra.
• Midfielder Riko Robinson signed his first professional contract with Nottingham Forest, committing his future at Trentside with a new deal that runs until June 2028.

December 2025

• At just 17, Kalum Thompson became the youngest Forest player to receive a nomination for the PL2 Player of the Month award, following his progression from the Under-18s to the B Team that season.
• Nottingham Forest’s Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the third round, following their tie away to Sunderland.

February 2026

• Isaac Davies joined Cardiff City on a permanent transfer; the midfielder had been a key part of Nottingham Forest’s Under-18 Premier League squad that season and left with the benefit of years representing Wales at youth level.

April 2026

• Jimmy Sinclair signed a new deal with Nottingham Forest; the 19-year-old, who joined Forest in 2021, agreed a one-year extension with an option for a further year, having made 35 appearances across all competitions in 2025/26.
• Keehan Willows signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until summer 2028; the goalkeeper has been part of the First Team throughout the 2025/26 season, and the extension will take his time with Forest beyond a decade.

2024/25 Season

A proud 2024/25 season for the Nottingham Forest Academy saw the club reach the round of 16 of Premier League 2, the quarter-finals of the U21 Premier League Cup, and win the U21 Premier League International Cup, under B Team Head Coach Warren Joyce.

Scholars 2024/25

Zyan Blake (Forward), Evan Boulter (Midfielder), Taeneal Brandy (Forward), Ethan Broomes (Defender), Isaac Davies (Midfielder), Frank Djamna (Midfielder)

Bubbacar Sanneh (Defender), Fuad Smith (Midfielder), Zac Smith (Goalkeeper), Will Thompson (Defender), Jordan Willows (Midfielder) and Jonathan Whiteley (Defender).

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Detlef Esapa Osong (Forward) – Rotherham United; Cambridge United
• Jamie McDonnell (Midfielder) – Colchester United
• Aaron Donnelly (Defender) – Colchester United
• Dale Taylor (Forward) – Wigan Athletic
• Manni Norkett (Forward) – Cheltenham Town
• Joe Gardner (Forward) – Lincoln City
• Ben Perry (Midfielder) – Northampton Town
• Will Brook (Goalkeeper) – Farsley

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Elliott Anderson (Midfielder, #8).

International Players 2024/25

• Evan Boulter (Forward) – Northern Ireland U17
• Scott Hamilton (Forward) – Northern Ireland U17
• Alastair Graham (Goalkeeper) – Scotland U17
• Isaac Davies (Midfielder) – Wales U18
• Zach Abbott (Defender) – England U19
• Eric da Silva Moreira (Forward) – Germany U19
• Danni Anisjko (Forward) – Latvia U19
• Kristian Fletcher (Forward) – USA U20
• Ben Hammond (Defender) – Wales U21
• Elliott Anderson (Midfielder) – England U21
• Joe Gardner (Forward) – Republic of Ireland U21
• Jamie McDonnell (Midfielder) – Northern Ireland U21
• Aaron Donnelly (Defender) – Northern Ireland U21, First Team
• Dale Taylor (Forward) – Northern Ireland U21, First Team

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Nottingham Forest’s Under-17s were drawn in Group G against Under-17 sides from Stoke City, Liverpool and Manchester United.

For the National League Cup, Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s were placed in Group D of the competition’s inaugural season, drawn against Braintree Town, Dagenham and Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United and Sutton United, with all matches played away from home.

In Premier League 2, the Under-21s reached the round of 16, where they were drawn against Fulham.

In the U21 Premier League Cup, Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s were drawn in Group B against Coventry City, Hull City and Leicester City, before progressing to the round of 16 against Luton Town Reserves and then the quarter-finals against Brentford.

Also in the Premier League International Cup, Newcastle United’s Under-21s were drawn against Valencia CF, AS Monaco, Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb, as well as fellow UK sides Tottenham Hotspur, Reading and Wolves.

They then progressed past FC Nordsjælland in the quarter-finals and Athletic Bilbao in the semi-finals to reach the final against Lyon.

Season Timeline

August 2024

• Aaron Bott and Kyle McAdam were both nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month award for August 2024.

November 2024

• During half term, Nottingham Forest foundation phase players (U9-U11) took part in a multi-sports programme aimed at promoting a well-rounded learning experience, including team bonding, playing Padel, and a combined psychological and social tournament with Notts County.
• In the third round of the FA Youth Cup, Nottingham Forest were drawn away to Everton.
• Forward Kristian Fletcher, on loan from D.C. United, was on international duty with the USA U20s, participating in matches against South Korea and France.

December 2024

• Nottingham Forest’s B Team opened their National League Cup campaign with victory over Dagenham & Redbridge.
• Joe Gardner and Jack Perkins were both nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month award for November.
• Nottingham Forest’s FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for the season, following their third-round tie away at Everton.
• Fuad Smith committed to his first professional contract with the club, signing a three-year deal; the midfielder had been part of Forest since joining at the age of 10.
• Nottingham Forest reached the quarter-finals of the Premier League International Cup, following their fourth Group A match against AS Monaco.

January 2025

• Esapa Osong and Manni Norkett returned from their loan spells at Rotherham United and Cheltenham Town, respectively.
• Aaron Donnelly was recalled from his loan at Colchester and completed a permanent transfer to Dundee.

March 2025

• Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s advanced to the semi-finals of the Premier League International Cup, following their tie against FC Nordsjælland.
• Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s were set to face Athletic Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup semi-finals.
• Forest’s Under-21s were drawn away to face Brentford in the quarter-finals of the U21 Premier League Cup.
• Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s exited the U21 Premier League Cup, following their tie away against Brentford.

April 2025

• The Premier League International Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Athletic Bilbao was set to take place at the City Ground on Tuesday 15 April, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.
• 19-year-old goalkeeper Keehan Willows signed his first professional contract with Nottingham Forest.
• Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s secured their spot in the Premier League International Cup final, following their semi-final tie against Athletic Bilbao’s Under-21s.
• Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s were set to play Lyon in the final of the Premier League International Cup, with the date and time to be announced.
• Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s were eliminated from the Premier League 2 knockout stage, following their tie away to Fulham.
• The date and kick-off time for Nottingham Forest’s B Team’s Premier League International Cup final against Olympique Lyonnais Under-21s were confirmed: the young Reds would host the French side in Nottingham on Wednesday 7 May, with kick-off at 7:00pm.

May 2025

• Nottingham Forest’s Under-21s clinched the Premier League International Cup title, following their final against Lyon Reserves.
• Alfie Bradshaw was named Scholar of the Year for Nottingham Forest.
• Nottingham Forest confirmed Jack Perkins had left the club, joining Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Sam Collins (joined King’s Lynn), Jack Nadin, Jack Perkins (joined Northampton Town), Harry Griffiths (joined Notts County), Will Brook (joined Shrewsbury Town), Manni Norkett (joined Boston United), Connor Brown.