Watford Academy

Watford Academy is a category 2 academy based in Hertfordshire. They have a strong youth development program that nurtures young talent.

The training ground is located at the University College London Union in Shenley, where the Under-21s also play their home matches.

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

Academy Competitions

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

• U17 & U18 Premier League Cup – introduced by the Premier League in 2017; seven group winners plus the best runner-up (by points, goal difference, then head-to-head) progress to the quarter-finals.
• 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.
• 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.
• Hertfordshire Senior Cup – a county knockout competition contested by Watford’s Under-21s alongside senior sides from across Hertfordshire.

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Academy Manager Richard Johnson, Academy Head of Coaching Micah Hyde, Under-21 Lead Coach Charlie Daniels, and Under-18 Lead Coach Dan Gosling.

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

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).

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• 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 Albans 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

International Players 2025/26

Kristian Shevchenko (Forward) – Ukraine U20.

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Watford’s Under-17s were drawn in Group A against Under-17 sides from Arsenal, Fulham and Crystal Palace.

For the U18 Professional Development League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group D against Luton Town, Oxford United and Colchester United, with fixtures scheduled for 26 August, 4 October and 22 November 2025.

In the U21 Premier League Cup, the Under-21s were drawn in Group D against Coventry City, Leyton Orient and Blackburn Rovers.

Season Timeline

June 2025

• Watford’s Under-21 and Under-18 pre-season fixture schedules were confirmed ahead of the new campaign.

July 2025

• Twelve Academy players — Hayden Barrett, Conrad Hunt, Jonathan Lawson, Kristian Shevchenko, Marats Galajevs, Tom Georgiou, Sam Morris, Kash Odiase, Amar Sanghrajka, Max Smith, Ollie Stephenson and Raul Vancea — officially signed professional contracts with Watford, having been offered terms at the end of the previous season.
• 19-year-old forward Remiero Moulton returned to Watford’s academy setup having left to join Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a three-year contract with the Hornets that includes an option for a further year.

August 2025

• Academy graduate Ryan Andrews completed a move to Swiss Super League side BSC Young Boys.

November 2025

• Academy goalkeeper Gabriel Ortelli signed a new professional contract with the club, running until the end of the 2028/29 season with an option to extend for a further year.
• Watford Academy defender Tom Georgiou extended his loan at Leverstock Green for a second time.
• Watford’s FA Youth Cup third-round clash with Plymouth Argyle was confirmed for Kings Langley FC on Monday 15 December.

December 2025

• Watford’s Under-18s booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, setting up a tie against Charlton Athletic.
• Watford’s Under-18s were confirmed to host Charlton Athletic at Vicarage Road for their fourth-round tie on Thursday 8 January.

January 2026

• Watford’s Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup campaign came to an end in the fourth round, following their tie against Charlton Athletic.

March 2026

• Kash Odiase extended his loan spell with Walton & Hersham FC until the end of the season.

2024/25 Season

The 2024/25 season was a proud one for the Watford FC Academy, with teams achieving success across multiple age groups.

The Under-15s reached the regional finals of the EFL Floodlit Cup, while the Under-16s were crowned Professional Development League Cup champions.

Finally the Under-18s enjoyed an outstanding campaign, reaching both the FA Youth Cup semi-finals and the U18 Professional Development League play-off final.

Scholars 2024/25

Tobi Akinyimika, Zack Braverman, Tony Cowie, Marats Galajevs, Jai-Dea Moulton, Tyler Notley, Jael Norville, Jonny Scriven, Kymani Smith-Daley, Seb Thrussell, Raul Vancea.

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Josh Mullins (Defender) – Bedford Town (youth loan)
• Jack Grieves (Forward) – Ross County
• Michael Adu-Poku (Forward) – Solihull Moors; Rochdale
• Roraigh Browne (Goalkeeper) – Bishop’s Stortford; AFC Dunstable; Hendon
• Albert Eames (Defender) – Chelmsford City
• Myles Roberts (Goalkeeper) – Partick Thistle; Bristol Rovers
• Jonathan Macaulay (Goalkeeper) – Oxford City; Bedford Town
• Aidan Coyne (Defender) – Maidenhead United
• Bentley Assiedou (Midfielder) – Kings Langley
• George Abbott (Defender) – Hendon; Potters Bar Town
• Freddie Buers (Defender) – Potters Bar Town
• James Clarridge (Defender) – St Albans City
• Jonathan Lawson (Forward) – Kings Langley; Hitchin Town
• Alistair Gould (Defender) – Kings Langley
• Sam Morris (Goalkeeper) – Hendon
• Prince Sikiru (Forward) – Grays Athletic
• Jake Watkiss (Forward) – Farnborough; Needham Market
• Charlie Bolding (Midfielder) – Colney Heath

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Alfie Marriott (Goalkeeper, #41), Zavier Massiah-Edwards (Forward, #47), Leo Ramirez-Espain (Midfielder, #52), Jai-Dea Moulton (Midfielder, #58).

International Players 2024/25

• Mathis Eboue (MF) – England U16
• Raul Vancea (DF) – Romania U17
• Amin Nabizada (FW) – England U18
• Nickson Okosun (FW) – Republic of Ireland U19
• Marats Galajevs (MF) – Latvia U19
• Gabriel Ortelli (GK) – Cyprus U19; U21
• Kristian Shevchenko (FW) – Ukraine U19
• Ryan Andrews (DF) – England U20
• Rocco Vata (MF) – Republic of Ireland U21

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U18 Professional Development League Cup, Watford’s Under-18s were drawn in Group F against Under-18 sides from Coventry City, AFC Wimbledon and Brentford.

For the U21 Premier League Cup, the Under-21s were drawn in Group F against Ipswich Town, Cardiff City and Everton.

Season Timeline

September 2024

• 19-year-old left-sided player Ian Kamga signed with the club on a contract running until June 2026, with an additional one-year option, having become a free agent after departing Stoke City earlier that summer.

November 2024

• Watford’s Under-9s emerged victorious in the Premier League Futsal Powerplay tournament, remaining undefeated across six games.
• Watford were drawn at home to Oxford United in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.

December 2024

• Watford secured their spot in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, following their third-round tie against Oxford United.
• Watford were set to play Crewe Alexandra in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

January 2025

• Watford’s Under-18s advanced to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie against Crewe Alexandra.
• Watford were eliminated from the Under-17s Professional Development League Cup at the Round of 16 stage, following their tie against Bolton Wanderers.

February 2025

• Travis Akomeah rejoined Watford from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, three years after departing for Stamford Bridge as a 16-year-old.
• Watford secured a spot in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals, following their tie against Southampton.

March 2025

• Watford’s Under-18 FA Youth Cup semi-final tie against Manchester City’s Under-18s was confirmed for Thursday 10 April at Vicarage Road.
• Broadcast details were confirmed for Watford’s FA Youth Cup semi-final against Manchester City, along with the other semi-final between Aston Villa and Manchester United, both to be streamed live on The FA Player and the Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel.
• 18-year-old forward Massiah Edwards made his home league debut for Watford, coming on as a substitute against Plymouth Argyle.

April 2025

• Watford’s Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup campaign came to an end in the semi-finals, following their tie against Manchester City.
• Watford’s Under-16s were crowned Premier League U16 Professional Development League Cup champions, following their final against Charlton Athletic.
• Watford’s Under-18s secured a play-off spot for the first time and were set to face Burnley in the semi-finals.

May 2025

• Watford’s Under-18s booked their place in the play-off final of the U18 Professional Development League, following their semi-final tie against Burnley.
• Ten-man Watford’s U18 Professional Development League play-off campaign came to an end in the final against Bristol City, played at Ashton Gate.
• Professional contracts were offered to second-year scholars Hayden Barrett, Tom Georgiou, Conrad Hunt, Sam Morris, Kash Odiase, Amar Sanghrajka, Kristian Shevchenko, Max Smith and Ollie Stephenson, with first-year scholars Marats Galajevs and Raul Vancea also offered professional deals.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Under-21s: George Abbott, Freddie Buers, Aidan Coyne, Zak Fraser-Grante, Ignacio Garcia-Romero, Luigi Gaspar, Alistair Gould, Prince Sikiru, Jake Watkiss.

Under-18s: Aaron Burton, Charlie Bolding, Amani Bowlin, Josh Riza, Joel Sala.