Wolves Academy

Wolves runs a category 1 academy based in the West Midlands. They have an elite youth development program that nurtures young talent.

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

Most Wolves Under-21 Academy matches take place at Aggborough Stadium, home of Kidderminster Harriers FC, at Hoo Rd, Kidderminster DY10 1NB.

“We’re not in development to win competitions, but winning competitions and pushing to try and win competitions is obviously part of their development.” — James Collins.

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; Wolves’ Under-18s play in the North League.
• 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.
• 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 – teams are split into four groups of eight, each comprising four UK-based Under-21 sides and four invited overseas clubs represented by their development squads, with the top two in each group advancing to the knockout stage.
• National League Cup – a 32-team midweek competition comprising 16 Under-21 sides from Premier League 2 and 16 National League club first teams.
• Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy) – a midweek knockout competition for EFL League One and League Two clubs, plus 16 invited Premier League and Championship clubs with Category One academies, regionalised from the group stage through to the quarter-finals.
• Birmingham Senior Challenge Cup – a county knockout competition contested by Wolves’ Under-21s alongside senior sides from across the West Midlands.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Under-21 Lead Coach James Collins.

In March 2026, Christian Preußer was appointed the Academy’s new Head of Football, overseeing the overall football programme with a focus on playing philosophy, identity, the player pathway, and coach development.

At the same time, Ian Sharps moved from his role as lead academy coach into a new position as Head of Coaching for the Under-9 to Under-16 age groups.

This followed the departure of long-serving Jon Hunter-Barrett, who left Wolves after 14 years to become the new Academy Director at Rangers.

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

Alfie Arnold, Elvis Elendu, Hayden Ford, Xander Grieves, Elliot Saba, Ollie Stafford, Mason Stevens. Elsewhere, Emilio Ballard-Matthews, Myles Dayman, Josh Gidaree, Mateus Mane, Bjorn Marwa, Wes Okoduwa.

David Osifo and Jake Wilcox all began the season as first-year professionals under contract, while offers were extended to prospects Makenzie Bradbury, George Hardy, Minkyu Ji, Temple Ojinnaka and James Storer.

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• Nigel Lonwijk (Defender) – Luton Town
• Arthur Nasta (Goalkeeper) – Hornchurch FC
• James Storer (Goalkeeper) – Morton FC
• Lewys Benjamin (Goalkeeper) – Chester
• Hayden Carson (Defender) – Chester
• Harvey Griffiths (Midfielder) – Crewe Alexandra
• Josh Gracey (Goalkeeper) – Telford United
• Alfie White (Defender) – Hednesford Town
• Fabian Reynolds (Forward) – Redditch United
• Alfie Pond (Defender) – Crewe Alexandra
• Tawanda Chirewa (Midfielder) – Barnsley
• Temple Ojinnaka (Defender) – Shrewsbury Town
• Xu Bin (Midfielder) – Barnsley U21

Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26

Mateus Mane (Forward, #36), Jerome Abbey (Midfielder, #50).

International Players 2025/26

• Jacob Dean-Ford (DF) – England U16
• Kwasi Senya (MF) – England U16
• Ashton Williams (DF) – Wales U17
• Xander Grieves (GK) – Ireland U17
• Wes Okoduwa (DF) – England U18
• Josh Gracey (GK) – Northern Ireland U19
• Makenzie Bradbury (MF) – Wales U19
• Lewys Benjamin (GK) – Wales U21
• Xu Bin (MF) – China First Team

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Wolves’ Under-17s were drawn in Group H against Under-17 sides from Reading, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion.

For the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group C against Everton, Southampton and Bristol City.

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

In the National League Cup, the Under-21s were drawn in Group B against Wealdstone, Forest Green Rovers, Boreham Wood and Braintree, with all fixtures played away from home.

Also in the Premier League International Cup, Wolves’ Under-21s were grouped with Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, PSV Eindhoven and Monaco, alongside fellow English sides Everton, Manchester City and Southampton.

Finally in the Vertu Trophy, the Under-21s were drawn in Northern Group A against Salford City, Stockport County and Wigan Athletic.

Season Timeline

June 2025

• Wolves’ Under-21 pre-season fixture schedule was confirmed ahead of the new campaign, including a warm-weather training camp.

July 2025

• 22-year-old midfielder Joe Hodge completed a permanent move from Wolves to Portuguese club CD Tondela.
• French centre-back Bastien Meupiyou, who had joined Wolves the previous summer from Ligue 1 club Nantes, completed a move to Primeira Liga side FC Alverca.
• 20-year-old defender Marvin Kaleta joined Rotherham United from Wolves on a two-year contract, having spent the previous season on loan at Motherwell.

August 2025

• Promising young winger Emilio Ballard-Matthews signed his first professional deal with Wolves.

September 2025

• Makenzie Bradbury signed his first professional contract, having represented Wales at youth level from Under-16 to Under-18.
• Midfielder Minkyu Ji and centre-back Elvis Elendu both signed their first professional contracts with Wolves.

October 2025

• Wolves Academy defender Jacob Dean-Ford and midfielder Kwasi Senya earned call-ups to the England Under-16 squad for the Football Federations Cup in Antalya, Türkiye.
• Jon Hunter-Barrett announced his departure from Wolves after 14 years with the club, to take up the position of Academy Director at Rangers.

November 2025

• Wolves’ Under-21s’ Birmingham Senior Cup campaign came to an end, following their tie against Lye Town.

December 2025

• Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup campaign came to an end in the third round, following their tie against Burnley.

January 2026

• Josh Gracey’s loan at Telford United was extended until the end of the season.
• 21-year-old Fletcher Holman completed a permanent transfer to League Two side Swindon Town, having joined Wolves in January 2024 from National League club Eastbourne Borough after previously coming through the academy at Brighton & Hove Albion.
• Wolves academy graduate Caden Voice completed a permanent move to League One side Cardiff City; the 19-year-old central defender had joined the club at the age of five and progressed through every stage of the academy system.
• Wolves signed highly rated 17-year-old forward Dapo Anunlopo from League Two side Bromley, with the Ireland-raised attacker joining the Under-18s at Compton Park.

March 2026

• Defender Hayden Carson left the Wolves Academy to join Salford City on a permanent contract.
• Christian Preußer was appointed the Academy’s new Head of Football, with Ian Sharps moving into a new role as Head of Coaching for the Under-9 to Under-16 age groups.
• Wolves forward Fabian Reynolds signed for MLS Next side Huntsville City.

April 2026

• Wolves Academy midfielder Luke Rawlings activated a one-year extension on the professional contract he signed in April 2025.

2024/25 Season

Senior involvement continued to grow across the Academy during the 2024/25 season, with the Under-21s competing in Premier League 2, the Premier League Cup, the Premier League International Cup, and the National League Cup.

The Academy’s senior age groups were led by Under-21 Head Coach James Collins and Under-18 Head Coach Richard Walker.

Scholars 2024/25

Emilio Ballard-Matthews (Midfielder), Reiss Bowen (Forward), Ryan Colesby (Midfielder), Myles Dayman (Defender), Josh Gidaree (Defender), Josh Gracey (Goalkeeper), Mateus Mane (Forward)

Bjorn Marwa (Midfielder), Wes Okoduwa (Defender), David Osifo (Defender), Luke Rawlings (Midfielder), Max Ruddock (Defender), Alfie White (Defender), Jake Wilcox (Midfielder).

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Tawanda Chirewa (Forward) – Derby County; Huddersfield Town
• Joe Hodge (Midfielder) – Huddersfield Town
• Dexter Lembikisa (Defender) – Yverdon Sport
• James Storer (Goalkeeper) – Darlaston Town; Chester FC
• Nigel Lonwijk (Defender) – Huddersfield Town
• Marvin Kaleta (Defender) – Motherwell
• Tyler Roberts (Forward) – AFC Fylde
• Nathan Fraser (Forward) – Zulte Waregem
• Chem Campbell (Midfielder) – Reading FC
• Fletcher Holman (Forward) – Solihull Moors
• Lewys Benjamin (Goalkeeper) – Stourbridge FC
• Ethan Sutherland (Forward) – Solihull Moors
• Josh Esen (Midfielder) – Redditch United

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

Alfie Pond (Defender, #46), Luke Cundle (Midfielder, #39), Mateus Mane (Forward, #59).

International Players 2024/25

• Xander Grieves (GK) – England U16
• Jashayde Greenwood (FW) – England U16
• Hayden Ford (DF) – England U17
• Wes Okoduwa (DF) – England U17
• Luke Rawlings (MF) – England U17
• Saheed Olagunju (DF) – England U18
• Mateus Mane (FW) – England U18
• Makenzie Bradbury (MF) – Wales U18; U19
• Lewys Benjamin (GK) – Wales U19; U21
• Ethan Sutherland (FW) – Scotland U19
• Josh Gracey (GK) – Northern Ireland U19
• Fabian Reynolds (FW) – Jamaica U20
• Filozofe Mabete (DF) – DR Congo U20
• Joe Hodge (MF) – Republic of Ireland U21; First Team
• Justin Hubner (DF) – Indonesia First Team
• Dexter Lembikisa (DF) – Jamaica First Team

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Wolves’ Under-17s were drawn in Group D against Under-17 sides from Aston Villa, Derby County and Leicester City.

For the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group E against Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Fulham.

In the U21 Premier League Cup, the Under-21s were drawn in Group D against Huddersfield Town, Sunderland and Sheffield United.

Also in the National League Cup, the Under-21s were drawn in Group B against Altrincham, Forest Green Rovers, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale, with all fixtures played away from home.

Finally In the Premier League International Cup, the Under-21s were grouped with Valencia CF, AS Monaco, Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb, alongside fellow English sides Nottingham Forest, Reading and Tottenham Hotspur.

Season Timeline

September 2024

• Academy quartet Owen Hesketh, Kam Kandola, Ethan McLeod and Mason Rees all departed Wolves.

October 2024

• Marvin Kaleta made his first league start for Motherwell against Celtic while on loan from Wolves.

November 2024

• Wolves’ Under-18s were drawn away to either Eastleigh or AFC Wimbledon in the third round of the FA Youth Cup.
• Wolves were confirmed to face AFC Wimbledon in the FA Youth Cup third round, after Wimbledon progressed from their second-round tie against Eastleigh.
• The third-round tie at AFC Wimbledon was confirmed for Monday 9 December at Plough Lane.

December 2024

• Young striker Reiss Bowen was offered a first professional contract.
• Wolverhampton Wanderers advanced to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie against AFC Wimbledon.
• In the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, Wolverhampton Wanderers were drawn away to Everton.

January 2025

• Dexter Lembikisa was recalled from his loan at Yverdon Sport after four appearances for the Swiss club.
• The Under-18s were set to head to Goodison Park for their fourth-round FA Youth Cup tie against Everton.
• Under-15 winger Josiah Djokoto joined Wolves directly from grassroots football, having previously played for Carshalton Athletic.
• 17-year-old goalkeeper Josh Gracey signed his first professional contract at Wolves.
• Owen Farmer left the club, completing a permanent transfer to Leamington FC after six years with Wolves.
• Wolves’ Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup campaign came to an end, following their tie against Everton.
• Tyler Roberts left Wolves to join AFC Fylde on a permanent transfer.

April 2025

• Wolves’ Under-21s were set to take on Chelsea’s Under-21s in the Premier League 2 Round of 16.
• 17-year-old Luke Rawlings, who joined the club at 13 and progressed steadily through the academy ranks, signed his first professional contract with Wolves.
• Wolves’ Under-21s’ Premier League 2 campaign came to an end at the Round of 16 stage, following their tie against Chelsea.

May 2025

• Mateus Mane made his Premier League debut for Wolves’ first team, coming off the bench in their home match against Brighton.

Released Academy Players (end of 2024/25)

Stan Amos, Justin Hubner, Testimony Igbinoghene, Aaron Keto Diyawa, Lucas Kibrya, Filozofe Mabete (joined Swindon Town), Josh Nyakudya, Matty Whittingham.