Peterborough United Academy

Peterborough United FC runs a category 2 academy based in Cambridgeshire. They have a strong youth development program that nurtures young talent.

Some of Peterborough United’s Under-21s’ academy home matches take place at the Peterborough United Weston Homes Stadium.

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

Education Partner: Nene Park Academy.

The Academy’s mission statement is to ‘Create Young People and Players of Value,’ which includes academic progress off the pitch.

Academy Competitions

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

• U18 Professional Development League – a leading English youth competition for Category Two academies, comprising 20 teams split into North and South regional divisions, combining league competition with a national play-off system.
• U18 Professional Development League Cup – established for the 2021/22 season, featuring 32 teams divided into eight groups of four, with group winners advancing to the knockout stages.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.
• Professional Development League 2 – England’s main Under-21 youth competition for Category Two academies, sitting just below Premier League 2. It is split into regional North and South divisions, with play-offs determining the national champion.
• Northampton Senior Cup (Maunsell Cup) – a county cup competition contested by Peterborough United’s Under-21s.

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Academy Director Dan Robinson, Under-21 Lead Coach Sam Gaughran, and Senior PDP Lead Ryan Semple.

The coaching team is completed by Under-18 Lead Coach Jimmy Unwin, Individual Development and Pathway Lead Coach Hugh Alban-Jones, and Academy Goalkeeping Lead Harry Hogg.

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

George Buknor (Goalkeeper), Oliver Arber (Defender), Harry Bushall (Defender), Callun Fraser (Defender), Alan Ndonjang (Midfielder), Malachi Norville (Midfielder), Kurtis Simmons (Forward) and Bolu Shofowke (Forward).

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• Pemi Aderoju (Forward) – Eastbourne Borough
• David Kamara (Forward) – King’s Lynn Town; Harborough Town
• Andre Changunda (Forward) – Harborough Town; AFC Totton
• Noah Freeman (Defender) – Spalding United
• Joe Andrews (Midfielder) – Brackley Town

Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26

Harley Mills (Defender, #23), Patryk Sykut (Midfielder, #42).

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U18 Professional Development League Cup, Peterborough United’s Under-18s were drawn in Group A against Under-18 sides from Norwich City, Arsenal and Stoke City.

In the FA Youth Cup, the Under-18s were drawn at home against Lincoln City in the first round proper, at home against Boldmere St Michaels in the second round proper, and away against Manchester United in the third round proper.

Season Timeline

June 2025

• Defender Lucca Mendoca penned his first professional contract at Peterborough United. 18-year-old winger Andre Changunda also signed his first professional contract with the football club.
• Peterborough United confirmed that defender Noah Freeman had signed his first professional contract with the club.
• Winger Joe Davies signed his first professional contract with the club.
• The Professional Development Phase pre-season schedule was confirmed.

July 2025

• Young defender Harley Mills signed a long-term contract with Peterborough United.

August 2025

• Defender Ollie Rose completed a permanent transfer to Scunthorpe United, the newly promoted side in the Enterprise National League.

September 2025

• Young defender Davon Gbajumo completed a move to Sky Bet Championship club Southampton following an agreement between the two sides; the 17-year-old left-back joined the Under-18 squad as he continues his scholarship with the Saints.
• Posh Academy opened a new Development Centre in Northampton, with coaching in line with the Posh philosophy and opportunities for youngsters to attend trials at the Bespoke Builds Training Ground.

October 2025

• Peterborough United’s Under-18s advanced to the second round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie against Lincoln City.

November 2025

• Peterborough United’s Under-18s were set to host Boldmere St Michaels in the FA Youth Cup second round proper on Monday 10 November, with kick-off at 7:30pm.
• Peterborough United’s Under-18s advanced to the third round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie at home against Boldmere St Michaels’ Under-18s.
• 20-year-old striker David Kamara signed a new long-term contract with Peterborough United.
• Peterborough’s academy striker David Kamara signed for Harborough Town on a season-long loan.
• Peterborough United’s Under-18s were set to travel to face Manchester United’s Under-18 in the FA Youth Cup third round on Tuesday 9 December, with kick-off scheduled for 7:00pm.

December 2025

• Peterborough United’s Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the third round, following their tie away to Manchester United’s Under-18s.

January 2026

• 17-year-old attacking midfielder Patryk Sykut signed a long-term professional contract, completing the formalities at the Bespoke Builds Training Ground.

March 2026

• Peterborough United striker Pemi Aderoju sealed his long-term future with the club, signing a new contract.

2024/25 Season

Peterborough United enjoyed a successful academy campaign during the 2024/25 season, with graduates James Dornelly, Donay O’Brien-Brady and Harley Mills all stepping up to the first team.

Academy players also played a key role in the Vertu Trophy final victory at Wembley.

The success continued as the Under-18s were crowned U18 Professional Development League Cup winners.

The 2024/25 season saw Peterborough United’s Academy compete across the U18 Professional Development League Cup, FA Youth Cup, and Northampton Senior Cup (Maunsell Cup).

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Jenson Sumnall (Defender) – AFC Stamford
• Ollie Rose (Defender) – Scunthorpe United
• Pemi Aderoju (Forward) – Boston United; Farnborough
• Joe Andrews (Midfielder) – Chippenham
• Justin Osagie (Defender) – Peterborough Sports
• Noah Freeman (Defender) – Bishops Stortford

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

James Dornelly (Defender, #31), Harley Mills (Defender, #34), Donay O’Brien-Brady (Midfielder, #35), Emmanuel Fernandez (Defender, #37), Tyler Young (Midfielder, #38)

Oliver Rose (Defender, #40), David Kamara (Forward, #41), Lucca Mendonca (Defender, #42).

International Players 2024/25

• Joe Andrews (Midfielder) – Wales U19
• George Nevett (Defender) – Wales U19
• James Dornelly (Defender) – England U20
• David Kamara (Forward) – Sierra Leone U20

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U18 Professional Development League Cup, Peterborough United’s Under-18s were drawn in Group H against Under-18 sides from Luton Town, Mansfield and Ipswich Town, before progressing to the quarter-finals.

In the FA Youth Cup first round, the Under-18s were drawn at home against Northampton Town. In the Northampton Senior Cup (Maunsell Cup), the Under-21s reached the final against AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Season Timeline

October 2024

• In the first round of the FA Youth Cup, Peterborough United were drawn at home to Northampton Town.
• The FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for Peterborough United after a first-round tie at home to Northampton Town.

November 2024

• James Dornelly made his international debut for the England U20.
• The Under-18s progressed to the quarter-finals of the PDL Cup, following their tie away at Ipswich Town.

December 2024

• Posh’s Under-21s were beaten by AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the Maunsell Cup final.

March 2025

• Striker Pemi Aderoju and defender Justin Osagie were recalled from their loans at Farnborough and Peterborough Sports, respectively, due to injury.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Under-21s Released: Tyler Young (joined Ipswich Town), Ma’Kel Campbell, Justin Osagie, Jenson Sumnall, Aaron Powell.

Under-18s Released: Ignas Sakalas, Tom Unwin, George Holley, Max Beech, Luke Gilbert.