Cambridge United Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Located in Cambridge, United runs a category 3 academy.
- Academy Manager: Dom Knighton
- Head of Academy Coaching: Liam Bloye
- Academy’s new Emerging Talent Coach: George Thorne
- Head of Academy Operations & Safeguarding: Haris Ali
- Under-18 Lead Coach: Liam O’Neil
Cambridge United Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Cambridge United players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Cambridge United Scholars 2025/26
- Zak Massoud
- Jamie Murefu
- MacDonald Murefu
- Jordan Yakubu
- Lohgan McDougald
- Freddie Jolland
- Daniel Ndeda
- Daniel Efobi
- Adewale Komolafe
- Daniel Herd
The young “U’s” will spend two seasons with the U19s, competing in the Youth Alliance League (South), Youth Alliance Cup, and FA Youth Cup.
Additionally, there may be opportunities to feature in the Central League with the reserves.
Cambridge United Academy Players On Loan 2025/26
Young players on loan.
- George Munday (Forward) St Ives Town FC; Bedford Town; Hereford
- Harry Dawson (Defender) Peterborough Sports
- George Hoddle (Midfielder) Bedford Town FC
- Jasper Briggs (Goalkeeper) Downham Town; Chichester City
- Jahrel McKoy (Midfielder) St Ives Town
- Daniel Efobi (Forward) Biggleswade; St Ives Town
- Blade Earley (Goalkeeper) Biggleswade
- Ryan Gray (Forward) Biggleswade
- Dempsey Crace (Defender) Bishop’s Stortford
- Jahkyah Ebanks-Blake (Forward) Newmarket Town
- Lennon King (Midfielder) Newmarket Town
- Zak Sowden-Fletcher (Defender) Newmarket Town
- Samuel Okoli (Forward) St Neots Town
Cambridge United Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26
- Mamadou Jobe (Defender) #23
- Jasper Briggs (Goalkeeper) #31
- George Hoddle (Midfielder) #38
- Lohan McDougald (Midfielder) #39
- Glenn McConnell (Forward) #27
- George Munday (Forward) #29
- Jahrel McKoy (Midfielder) #40
Cambridge United Academy International Players 2025/26
Young players on international duty.
- Jacob Newman (Goalkeeper) England GK Camp U15
- Samuel Okolie (Forward) Seychelles First Team
Cambridge United Academy Competitions
U17 Professional Development League Cup
The U17 Professional Development League Cup is an English youth football tournament created for players aged 17 and under.
U17 PDL Cup Group Stage
Cambridge United U17 will play against Under-17 teams from Gillingham, Northampton Town and Colchester United.
- Cambridge United U17 drew at home against Northampton Town U17 (1 – 1)
- Cambridge United U17 lost away against Gillingham U17 (4 – 2)
- Samuel Okolie
- Matteo Brown
- Cambridge United U17 lost at home against Colchester United U17 (0 – 2)
U18 Youth Alliance Cup
The EFL Youth Alliance Cup is a youth football tournament in England, organized by the English Football League (EFL). It features under-18 teams from League One and League Two clubs that compete in the EFL Youth Alliance, the league system for these academies.
The competition follows a format like the EFL Trophy, beginning with a regional group stage before progressing to a national knockout phase.
Designed to foster young talent at lower-tier EFL clubs, the tournament provides a structured competitive environment beyond regular league matches.
U18 Youth Alliance Cup
Second Round
- Cambridge United U18 lost at home against Cheltenham Town U18 (0 – 7)
FA Youth Cup
First Round Proper
Cambridge United U18 have been drawn at home against Slough Town U18
- Cambridge United U18 won at home against Slough Town U18 (4 – 0)
Second Round Proper
- Cambridge United U18 won at home against Tiverton Town (4 – 0)
Third Round Proper
Cambridge United U18 have been drawn at home against Derby County U18
- Cambridge United U18 lost at home against Derby County U18 (0 – 3)
Cambridge United Academy News
9th May 2025
George Munday, Jasper Briggs and Harry Dawson have signed their first professional contract at Cambridge United.
18th July 2025
U16 player Dan Nneji has joined Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for a club-record academy transfer fee.
13th October 2025
George Hoddle has been recalled by Cambridge United from his loan at Bedford Town.
28th October 2025
Cambridge United U18s advanced to the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a 4–0 victory at home against Slough Town.
10th December 2025
Cambridge United U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the third round with a 3-0 defeat at home to U18s Derby County.
22nd December 2025
Midfielder George Hoddle has signed a new contract with Cambridge United.
5th March 2026
At the annual Terry Baker Academy Awards Evening, the club celebrated its scholars’ achievements.
Winners:
- Dan Herd – Most Improved
- Lohan McDougald – Moment of the Season (first-team debut vs Luton Town)
- Lohan McDougald – Scholar of the Year