Birmingham City Academy 2024-25

Highlights from the Birmingham City Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.

Birmingham City FC run a category 2 academy based in West Midlands.

Even though Birmingham was relegated to League One last season, they still have big plans for their Academy.

They announced plans for a new top-notch training ground and aim to achieve Category One Academy status again by 2025/26.

Birmingham City Scholars 2024/25

  1. Liam Brannigan (Defender)
  2. Dylan Okpapi (Defender)
  3. Jack Quirk (Defender)
  4. Riquelme Thompson-Jones (Defender)
  5. Ben Flavell (Midfielder)
  6. Aurelien Gurnier (Midfielder)
  7. Cobi Maddox (Midfielder)
  8. Dynaeo Martin–Moore (Midfielder)
  9. Louie Rea (Midfielder)
  10. Kaidon Robinson (Forward)
  11. Kian McCusker (Forward)
  12. Tobi Ugorji (Forward)

Academy Player Success

Attacking midfielder Romelle Donovan has been called up to the England U18s squad for the Tri Nations Trophy at St. George’s Park.

England face Northern Ireland on Wednesday (May 22) and then Morocco on Sunday (May 26th, 2024).

Birmingham City U18s are the newly crowned 2023/2024 Professional Development League (PDL) national champions after a 3 – 2 win over Charlton Athletic U18

The signing of 13 first-year professionals following success in winning the North Division earned every player in the second-year cohort a professional contract.

This remarkable achievement was further highlighted by their victory over Charlton Athletic in the National Final in May 2024.

Birmingham City Academy Players On Loan 2024/25

  1. Ben Beresford (Forward) Kidderminster Harriers
  2. Tom Fogarty (Defender) Dunfermline Athletic
  3. Josh Home (Midfielder) Gateshead
  4. Laiith Fairnie (Defender) Rushall Olympic
  5. Femi Olofinjana (Defender) Redditch United
  6. Josh Williams (Defender) Gateshead
  7. Oliver Sayer (Goalkeeper) Stafford Rangers
  8. Romelle Donovan (Forward) Burton Albion
  9. George Hall (Midfielder) Walsall
  10. Brandon Khela (Midfielder) Bradford City
  11. O’Shea Ellis (Midfielder) Stourbridge
  12. Sahid Kamara (Midfielder) Welling United
  13. Ben Wodskou (Forward) Rushall Olympic
  14. Alfie Chang (Midfielder) Walsall
  15. Junior Dixon (Forward) Boreham Wood FC
  16. Taylor Dodd (Defender) Alvechurch

Birmingham City Academy products in 1st team 2024/25

  1. Alfie Chang (Midfielder) #15
  2. Brandon Khela (Midfielder) #27
  3. Byron Pendleton (Defender) #39
  4. Cody Pennington (Midfielder) #41
  5. Josh Williams (Defender) #42
  6. Zaid Betteka (Midfielder) #43
  7. Josh Home (Midfielder) #47
  8. Bradley Mayo (Goalkeeper) #48
  9. Romelle Donovan (Forward) #49

The Birmingham City Academy International Players 2024/25

  1. Alfie Smith (Goalkeeper) England U15 Camp
  2. Romelle Donovan (Forward) England U19
  3. Menzi Mazwi (Midfielder) Wales U19; Zimbabwe First Team
  4. Zaid Betteka (Midfielder) Algeria U20
  5. Tom Fogarty (Defender) Northern Ireland U21

Birmingham City Academy Competitions For 2024/25

U18 Premier League Cup

In 2017, the Premier League introduced the U18 Premier League Cup.

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.

U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage

Birmingham City U18 are drawn in Group G against under-18 teams Crystal Palace, Arsenal and Liverpool.

  1. Loss away against Crystal Palace U18 (3 – 0)
  2. Loss at home against Arsenal U18 (3 – 2)
  3. Loss at home against Liverpool U18 (3 – 1)

U21 Premier League Cup

The Premier League Cup was introduced in the 2013/14 season to enhance competition during the Professional Development Phase.

It added a knockout tournament alongside the regular league schedule. For the 2024/25 season, the format features nine groups.

The top team from each group automatically qualifies for the knockout stage, along with the seven best second-placed teams.

Birmingham City are drawn in Group H against under 21 teams from Charlton Athletic, Leeds United and Stockport County.

U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage

  1. Lost away against Stockport County Reserves (4 – 1)
    • Ben Wodskou
  2. Won at home against Leeds U21 (3 – 2)
    • Frank Tattum (2)
    • Menzi Mazwi
  3. Drew away against Charlton U21 (2 – 2)
    • O’Shea Ellis
    • Sahid Kamara
  4. Lost at home against Charlton U21 (3 – 1)
    • George Wynne
  5. Lost away against Leeds U21 (3 – 0)
  6. Lost at home against Stockport County Reserves (4 – 1)
    • Kurtis Havenhand

Birmingham City Academy News

The U21s participate in the Birmingham Senior Cup

19th September 2024

Walsall have signed 20 year old defender Rico Browne after a successful trial. He joins on a one year deal with an option for a second year.

19th October 2024

In the 1st round of the FA Youth Cup, Birmingham City have been drawn away to Newcastle Town.

31st October 2024

After beating Newcastle Town away 4 – 2 in the first round, Birmingham City has secured a place in the second round of the FA Youth Cup.

1st November 2024

Birmingham City U18s have been drawn away to Harrogate Town in the 2nd round of the FA Youth Cup. Match to be played on Tuesday the 19th of November.

14th November 2024

The Knighthead Performance Centre has invested substantially to elevate Birmingham City Academy to category one status.

According to the Academy Technical Director, Mike Rigg, an audit is scheduled for December 2024 or January 2025 to determine eligibility for an initial one-year license.

19th November 2024

The FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for Birmingham City after a second-round loss 1 – 3 away to Harrogate Town.

24th November 2024

The Under-18s have exited the Premier League Cup.

1st December 2024

A First Team start for academy player Brandon Khela today against Blackpool in th FA Cup second round.

6th January 2025

19-year-old midfielder Josh Homes has been recalled from his loan at Gateshead, where he made seven appearances for the Tynesiders in the National League, FA Cup, and National League Cup..

4th February 2025

Kurtis Havenhand, a 19-year-old striker formerly with Sheffield United, has signed a contract running until the end of the 2024-25 season, with an option for an additional year.

He will join the club’s Under-21 squad.

31st March 2025

14-year-old goalkeeper Alfie Smith made history on Saturday, becoming the youngest player to debut for Birmingham City U18s since Jude Bellingham.

6th May 2025

Birmingham City have been officially awarded Category One status in May 2025, following a detailed assessment by the Professional Game Academy Audit Company (PGAAC) marking an upgrade after three years at Category Two.

16th May 2025

Young Professional Players Released

  1. Ben Beresford
  2. Junior Dixon (Joins Boreham Wood)
  3. Taylor Dodd
  4. Laiith Fairnie
  5. Harley Hamilton
  6. Josh Home
  7. Femi Olofinjana
  8. Sahid Kamara (Joins Braintree Town)
  9. Stoyan Pergelov
  10. Oliver Sayer