Highlights from the Cardiff City Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in Wales, Cardiff City FC runs a category 2 academy.
Cardiff City Scholars 2024/25
- Hayden Allmark
- Mannie Barton
- Daniel Higgs
- Riley Hilaire-Clarke
- Jacob Hobson
- Sam Jones
- T-Jay Parfitt
- Leeyon Phelan
- Oliver Reynolds
- Ollie Walsh
- Harry Watts
- Noah Williams
Cardiff City Academy Players Loan Watch 2024/25
Youth players on loan.
- Eli King (Midfielder) Stevenage
- Raheem Conte (Midfielder) Woking
- Joel Colwill (Midfielder) Cheltenham Town; Exeter City
- Josh Beecher (Defender) Barry Town United
- Ewan Griffiths (Goalkeeper) Plymouth Parkway FC
- Luke Pearce (Forward) Sligo Rovers
- Jake Dennis (Goalkeeper) Oldham Athletic
- Joe Thomas (Goalkeeper) Yate Town
- Baylin Johnson (Forward) Maidstone
- Michael Reindorf (Forward) Bristol Rovers
Cardiff City Academy products in 1st team squad 2024/25
- Luey Giles (Defender) #49
- Dylan Lawlor (Defender) #48
- Cian Ashford (Midfielder) #45
- Adeteye Gbadehan (Midfielder)
- Jakle Dennis (Goalkeeper)
- Matthew Turner (Goalkeeper) #41
- Cody Twose (Midfielder)
- Isaac Jefferies
- Michael Reindorf (Forward)
- Troy Perrett (Midfielder) #55
- Ronan Kpakio (Defender) #44
- Tom Davies (Defender) #37
- Dakarai Mafico (Midfielder) #51
Cardiff City Academy International Players
- Leo Papyrnik (Forward) Wales U16
- Jacob Norris (Forward) Wales U16
- Logan Cartwright (Defender) Wales U16
- Keano Conaty (Forward) Wales U16
- Paul Moreno (Midfielder) Wales U16
- Rob Tankiewicz (Midfielder) Wales U16
- Noah Williams (Defender) Wales U17
- Olly Reynolds (Defender) Wales U17
- Hayden Allmark (Midfielder) Wales U17
- Cody Twose (Midfielder) Wales U19
- Dakarai Mafico (Midfielder) Wales U19
- Ewan Griffiths (Goalkeeper) Wales U19
- Ronan Kpakio (Defender) Wales U19
- Trey George (Midfielder) Wales U19
- Luke Armstrong (Goalkeeper) Wales U19; U21
- Alyas Debono (Defender) Wales U19
- Troy Perrett (Midfielder) Wales U19; U21
- Mannie Barton (Forward) Wales U19
- Josh Beecher (Defender) Wales U19
- Tom Davies (Defender) Wales U21
- Luey Giles (Defender) Wales U19, U21
- Joel Colwill (Midfielder) Wales U21
- Rubin Colwill (Midfielder) Wales U21
- Eli King (Midfielder) Wales U21
- Cian Ashford (Midfielder) Wales U21
- Dylan Lawlor (Defender) Wales U21; First Team
- Tanatswa Nyakuhwa (Forward) Wales U21
Cardiff City Academy Competitions For 2024/25
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 Plate 8th Final
- Won at home against Mansfield Town U17 (8 – 0)
The U17 PDL Plate Quarter-Final
- Won away against Forest Green Rovers U17 (9- 3)
U17 PDL Plate Semi-Final
- Won away against AFC Wimbledon U17 (2 – 1)
U17 PDL Plate Final
- Lost at home against Shrewsbury Town U17
U18 Professional Development League Cup
Established for the 2021/22 season, the Professional Development League Cup features 32 teams divided into eight groups of four.
The group winners advance to the knockout stages.
U18 Professional Development League Cup Group Stage
Cardiff City U18 are drawn in Group A against under-18 teams Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Swindon Town.
- Lost at home against Swindon Town U18 (5 – 1)
- Lost away against Bournemouth U18 (4 – 0)
- Drew away against Portsmouth U18 (3 – 3)
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.
Cardiff City are drawn in Group F against under 21 teams from Ipswich Town, Watford and Everton.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
- Drew away against Ipswich U21 (2 – 2)
- Cody Twose
- Trey George
- Won away against Watford U21 (2 – 0)
- Isaac Jefferies
- Dakari Mafico
- Drew away against Everton U21 (2 – 2)
- Morgan Wigley
- Trey George
- Lost at home against Ipswich U21 (2 – 0)
- Won at home against Watford U21 (3 – 1)
- Isaac Jefferies
- Morgan Wigley
- Mannie Baton
U21 Premier League Cup Round of 16
- Lost at home against West Brom U21 (1 – 1) (5 – 4 on pens)
- Tanatswa Nyakuhwa
Cardiff Academy News
In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Cardiff City have been drawn at home to either Chesterfield or Shrewsbury Town.
1st December 2024
The young Bluebirds will host Chesterfield in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday 10th December at the Cardiff International Sports Campus.
10th December 2024
Cardiff City U18s are through to the fourth-round of the FA Youth Cup following a 3 – 2 win over Chesterfield at Leckwith Stadium.
13th December 2024
In the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, Cardiff City have been drawn at home to Bristol City.
8th January 2025
Cardiff City Academy reflections for 2024
10th January 2025
The Bluebirds will face Bristol City in the FA Youth Cup fourth round on Friday, January 17, at the Cardiff International Sports Campus.
FA Youth Cup Fifth Round Draw
17th January 2025
Cardiff City U18s have been eliminated from the FA Youth Cup following a 2-1 home defeat to Bristol City.
Dan Ola scored the lone goal for Cardiff.
1st March 2025
U21 centre-back Dylan Lawlor made his First Team debut for Cardiff against Aston Villa in the FA Cup.
5th March 2025
Sekou Kaba has made the move to the Bluebirds from Manchester United. The Second-Year scholar is set to sign a professional contract with Cardiff City.
17th March 2025
This week, the EFL celebrates Youth Development across all 72 League clubs. Cardiff City has a strong track record of developing academy players.
9th April 2025
Cardiff City Under-17s are set to take on Shrewsbury Town Under-17s in the final of the Professional Development League Trophy on Wednesday 7th, at Cardiff City Stadium.
16th April 2025
Ronan Kpakio has been shortlisted by the LFE for the EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season awards for 2025.
This award honours exceptional young professionals at EFL clubs who have distinguished themselves both on and off the pitch throughout the 2024/25 season.
7th May 2025
Cardiff City U17 lost in the finals of the Professional Development League Trophy to Shrewsbury Town U17 by 2 – 0.
8th June 2025
Dylan Lawlor has received a call-up to the Wales senior squad for their upcoming match against Belgium on Monday.
12th June 2025
Young Professionals Released
- Freddie Cook
- Cole Fleming
- Adeteye Gbadehan
- Baylin Johnson
- Joseph Thomas
Scholars Released
- Joseff Edwards
- Corey Foggarty
- Osian Rees
- Lennon Talbot