Highlights from the Derby County Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in East Midlands, Derby County FC runs a category 1 academy.
- Under-21 Lead Coach: Jake Buxton
Derby County Scholars 2024/25
- Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu (Forward)
- Sean Corry (Forward)
- Braidy Connell-Webster (Defender)
- Rio Canoville (Defender)
- Anthony Junior Doyle (Defender)
- Alfie Friars (Defender)
- Khace Gordon (Defender)
- Israel Green (Forward)
- Dantel Hodges (Midfielder)
- Marley Mintus (Midfielder)
- Harvey Rees (Goalkeeper)
- James Ward (Forward)
Derby County Academy Players On Loan 2024/25
Youth players on loan.
- Darren Robinson (Midfielder) Hartlepool United
- Tony Weston (Forward) Boston United
- Ben Radcliffe (Defender) Gateshead
- Ryan Bartley (Defender) Spennymoor Town; Hereford
- Daniel Cox (Defender) Enfield Town
- Max Bardell (Defender) AFC Fylde
- Alex Stepien-Iwumene (Midfielder) Eastleigh
- Josh Shattell (Goalkeeper) Erith Town
- Lennon Wheeldon (Forward) Boston United
- Harry Hawkins (Midfielder) AFC Telford United
- Jack Thompson (Goalkeeper) Alfreton Town
- Emmanuel Ilesanmi (Forward) Torquay United
- Keilan Robinson (Defender) Kidderminster Harriers
- Harley Price (Goalkeeper) AFC Telford United
Derby County Academy International Players 2024/25
- Rem Harvey – England U15 Camp
- Charlie Hardy (Goalkeeper) England U16
- Cruz Allen (Midfielder) Wales U18; U19
- Lennon Wheeldon (Forward) England U19
- Dan Cox (Defender) Wales U19
- Niall McAndrew (Midfielder) Ireland U19
- Freddie Turley (Defender) Ireland U19
- Darren Robinson (Midfielder) Northern Ireland U21
Derby County Academy Products in 1st Team 2024/25
- Lennon Wheeldon (Forward) #48
Derby County Academy Competitions For 2024/25
U17 and U18 Premier League Cup
In 2017, the Premier League introduced the U18 Premier League Cup and the U16 Premier League Cup, renaming the latter to the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020 for their respective age groups.
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.
U17 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Derby County U17 are drawn in Group D against under-17 teams from Aston Villa, Wolves and Leicester City.
- Won away against Aston Villa U17 (7 – 2)
- Won at home against Leicester U17 (4 – 2)
- Drew away against Wolves U17 (4 – 4)
U17 Group Premier League Cup Quarter-Finals
- Won at home against Blackburn U17 (5 – 1)
- Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu
- Marley Mintus
- Isreal Green
- James Ward
- Jerome Richards
U17 Group Premier League Cup Semi-Finals
- Lost away against Tottenham U17 (5 – 0)
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Derby County U18 are drawn in Group A against under-18 teams from Brighton, Manchester City and Norwich City.
- Won away against Brighton U18 (6 – 5)
- Lost away against Norwich City U18 (3 – 1)
- Won at home against Manchester City U18 (3 – 2)
U18 Premier League Cup Quarter-Finals
- Won at home against Fulham U18 (4 – 0)
- Owen Eames (2)
- Jerome Richards
- James Ward
U18 Premier League Cup Semi-Finals
- Lost at home against West Ham U18 (3 – 1)
- Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu
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.
Derby are drawn in Group I against under 21 teams from Brentford, Chelsea and AFC Bournemouth.
U21 Premier League Group Stage
- Lost at home against Bournemouth U21 (3 – 2)
- Jack Perry
- Keilen Robinson
- Won away against Brentford U21 (1 – 0)
- Niall McAndrew
- Won at home against Chelsea U21 (4 – 3)
- Johnson Osong
- Jayden Davidson
- Lennon Wheeldon
- Cruz Allen
- Lost at home against Brentford U21 (4 – 1)
- Owen Eames
- Won away against Bournemouth (3 – 0)
- Lennon Whealdon (2)
- Israel Green
- Lost away against Chelsea U21 (2 – 1)
- Adisa Osayande
National League Cup
The National League Cup is a 32-team midweek competition, comprising of 16 Under-21s teams participating in Premier League 2 and 16 National League club first teams.
The addition of Derby County followed the withdrawal of Reading from the tournament.
Derby County U21s have been placed in Group A of the new National League Cup competition.
They will face Aldershot Town, Maidenhead United, Wealdstone and Woking with all matches being played away from home.
National League Cup Group Stage
- Lost against Aldershot (3 – 0)
- Lost against Maidenhead (3 – 3) Pens (7 – 6)
- Lennon Whealdon
- Darren Robinson
- Harry Hawkins
- Lost against Wealdstone (2 – 0)
- Lost against Woking (2 – 0)
Derby County Academy News
The young Rams participate in the Derbyshire Senior Cup.
15th November 2024
In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Derby County have been drawn at home to Sunderland.
24th November 2024
Derby County are through to the quarter finals of the U18 Premier League Cup.
26th November 2024
The Under-17s have advanced to the next round of the Under-17 Premier League Cup, following impressive victories over Aston Villa (7-2) and Leicester City (4-2), along with a thrilling 4-4 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
17th December 2024
Derby County advanced to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup with an impressive 4-1 home victory over Sunderland.
The Young Rams will face Sheffield United in the next round.
20th December 2024
The FA Youth Cup fourth round away at Sheffield United will take place on Thursday, January 16th at LNER Community Stadium.
1st January 2025
Derby County U21s have progressed to the Quarter-Finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup with a 3-1 victory away at Heanor Town.
Goals from Emmanuel Ilesanmi, Johnson Osong, and Jaydan Davidson secured the win. They will now face Long Eaton for a place in the Semi-Finals.
3rd January 2025
Young defender Ben Radcliffe has completed a permanent move to Sky Bet League One club Crawley Town.
Ryan Bartley has returned from his loan spell at Hereford, a National League North side, where he made 14 appearances, scoring one goal and providing one assist.
8th January 2025
Lennon Wheeldon has returned from a one-month loan at Boston United, where he made three appearances for the Pilgrims in the National League.
10th January 2025
FA Youth Cup Fifth Round Draw
13th January 2025
Midfielder Alex Stepien-Iwumene has returned from his loan spell with National League side Eastleigh.
During his time there, he made one substitute appearance in the league and featured in two FA Trophy matches.
14th January 2025
Tristan Gill has signed his first professional contract with Derby County. The 18-year-old defender has been part of the Rams’ setup since joining at the Under-12 level.
20th January 2025
Derby County U21s have secured a spot in the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. First-half goals from Manni Ilesanmi and Lennon Wheeldon clinched a 2-1 victory for the young Rams.
22nd January 2025
The young Rams advanced to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup with a 3-1 victory away at Sheffield United.
Derby County’s goals came from Cruz Allen, who scored twice, and Niall McAndrew.
4th February 2025
Derby County U18s exit the FA Youth Cup after a 4-1 away defeat to Southampton U18s, with their only goal scored by Cruz Allen.
Harry Evans has been shortlisted for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for January 2025.
5th February 2025
The U21s are set to take on Buxton in the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. The match will take place at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium on Tuesday, March 4th.
5th April 2025
Lennon Wheeldon made his league debut for Derby County, coming off the bench in their EFL Championship clash against Swansea City.
29th April 2025
Luke Banks has received the Scholar of the Season Award from Derby County Academy, while Tom Marriott has been named the 2024/25 Academy Player of the Year.
7th May 2025
Derby County Academy midfielder Harry Hawkins, currently on loan at AFC Telford, played a key role in their promotion through the play-offs.
The 19-year-old made 17 appearances for the Bucks, contributing to their third-place finish and promotion.
Under-21 Players Released
- Max Bardell (Joins Buxton)
- Emmanuel Ilesanmi
- Riley Moloney (Joins North Carolina State Wolfpack )
- Josh Shattell
- Morten Spencer (Retired from Football)
- Alex Stepien-Iwumene (Joins Bromley)
- Tony Weston