Highlights from the Leeds United Academy 2025–26 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in West Yorkshire, Leeds United FC runs a category 1 academy.
- Academy Manager: Martin Diggle
Leeds United Retained List 2025
View the complete list of Leeds United players who have been retained, released, or have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells.
Leeds United Scholars 2025/26
Fifteen players have signed scholarship agreements with the club, committing to two-year deals as they continue their development at Thorp Arch.
- Aiden Thompson
- Callum Mills
- Carrick Njinko
- Harry Gray
- Isaac Bridge
- Jacob Howard
- Jacob Watson
- Joe Bhaskaran
- Kenneth Mensah
- Logan White
- Loui Whitehead
- Louie Philpott
- Miller Megson
- Oliver Wood
- Sam Alker
Leeds United Academy Players Loan Watch 2025/26
Youth players on loan.
- Charlie Crew (Midfielder) Doncaster Rovers
- Darryl Ombang (Goalkeeper) Darlington
- Alex Baird (Goalkeeper) Brigehouse Town; Bridlington Town AFC
- Devon Brockie (Forward) Cleethorpes Town
- Harry Gray (Forward) Rotherham United
- Reuben Lopata-White (Defender) Greenock Morton
- Connor Douglas (Midfielder) Buxton
- Rory Mahady (Goalkeeper) Scunthorpe
- Miller Megson (Defender) Longridge Town
- Kenneth Mensah (Forward) Scarborough Athletic
Leeds United Academy Players in the First Team
- Sam Chambers (Midfielder) #42
Leeds United Academy International Players 2025/26
- Jayden Lienou (Defender) Wales U19
- Luke Matykiewicz (Defender) Northern Ireland U19
- Robbie Cook (Goalkeeper) Leeds U20
- Rory Mahady (Goalkeeper) Scotland U21
Academy Competitions
U18 Premier League
The league divides teams into North and South groups for the U18s, calling it the U18 Premier League.
Leeds United Under-18 play in the North League
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
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
Leeds U17 are drawn in Group F against under 17 teams from Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland.
- Leeds U17 won away against Sunderland U17 (1 – 2)
- Leeds U17 lost at home against Middlesbrough U17 (1 – 2)
- Leeds U17 lost at home against Newcastle United U17 (0 – 2)
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Leeds U18 are drawn in Group F against under 18 teams from Blackburn Rovers, West Brom and Fulham.
- Leeds U18 lost away against West Brom U18 (4 – 2)
- Callum Mills
- Kenneth Mensah
- Leeds United U18 drew at home against Blackburn Rovers U18 (3 – 3)
- Logan White (3)
- Leeds U18 lost at home against Fulham U18 (2 – 3)
FA Youth Cup
Third Round Proper
Leeds United U18 have been drawn away against Bristol City U18.
- Leeds United U18 won away against Bristol City U18 (0 – 1)
- Carrick Njinko
Fourth Round Proper
Leeds United U18 have been drawn at home against Swansea City U18
- Leeds United U18 lost at home against Swansea City U18 (1 – 2)
- Carrick Njinko
Premier League 2
Starting from the 2023 season, all Category 1 teams compete in a single league using the Swiss-style format.
There are a total of 29 clubs competing in the 2025/26 season.
Entry into or removal from this league depends on meeting the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
Below are the team standings at the winter break, marking roughly the halfway point of the season.
Premier League 2 Player of the Month
August 2025
- Harry Gray (Nominee)
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 2025/26 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.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
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.
National League Cup Group Stage
Leeds United U21s have been placed in Group D in the 2nd edition of the National League Cup competition.
They will face Boston United, FC Halifax Town, Gateshead and Scunthorpe United, with all matches being played away from home.
The fixtures will take place on:
- Boston v Leeds United U21 – Tuesday 12th August 7 pm (The Jakemans Stadium)
- Scunthorpe United v Leeds United U21- Tuesday 16th September 7 pm (Attis Arena)
- Halifax Town v Leeds United U21 – Tuesday 21st October 7 pm (The Shay)
- Gateshead v Leeds United U21 – Wednesday 26th November 7 pm (Gateshead International Stadium)
- Leeds United U21 lost away against Boston United (4 – 0)
- Leeds United U21 won away against Scunthorpe United (1 – 3)
- Harry Gray (3)
- Leeds United U21 lost away at Halifax Town (3 – 0)
Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy)
The Vertu Cup is a midweek knockout competition that includes clubs from EFL League One and League Two, along with 16 invited teams from Premier League and EFL Championship clubs that have Category One Academies.
The competition is regionalised from the opening stage through to the quarter-finals, featuring eight groups in the northern section and eight in the southern section.
Each group features one Under-21 Premier League side
Leeds United Under-21s have been drawn into Northern Group G, where they will face Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town, and Port Vale.
The fixtures will take place on:
- Port Vale v Leeds United U21 – Tuesday 2nd September 7.45 pm (Vale Park)
- Fleetwood Town v Leeds United U21- Tuesday 7th October 7 pm (Highbury Stadium)
- Accrington Stanley v Leeds United U21 – Tuesday 11th November 7.45 pm
- Leeds United U21 lost away against Port Vale (4 – 1)
- Josh McDonald
- Leeds United U21 lost away against Fleetwood Town (4 – 0)
- Leeds United U21 lost away against Accrington Stanley (3 – 2)
- Harry Gray (2)
Premier League International Cup
The participating teams are split into four groups of eight, each comprising four UK-based Under-21 teams and four invited overseas clubs represented by their development squads.
Each UK team will host all four overseas clubs in their group. The results will determine the standings in each group, with the top two teams advancing to the knockout stages.
U21 Premier League International Cup Group Stage
Leeds United will face Athletic Club, Borussia Dortmund, Anderlecht and Sporting CP in Group D of the initial phase of the tournament.
Manchester United, Sunderland and West Ham are the other UK-based teams in their group.
- Leeds United U21 won at home against Sporting CP U21 (2 – 1)
- Harvey Vincent
- Reuben Lopata White
- Leeds United U21 won at home against Athletic Club U21 (2 – 0)
- Alfie Cresswell
- Logan White
- Leeds United U21 lost at home against Borussia Dortmund U21 (0 – 3)
Leeds United Academy News 2025/26
17th May 2025
Leeds United has extended new contract offers to several of its academy players as part of the club’s continued commitment to developing young talent.
The players offered new terms are James Debayo, Rory Mahady, Coban Bird, and Harvey Vincent.
10th June 2025
20-year-old midfielder Joe Snowdon has signed a one-year contract with Swindon Town.
25th June 2025
Cian Coleman has completed a permanent move to Buxton in the National League North following his release from Leeds United.
5th July 2025
Goalkeeper Rory Mahady has committed his future to Leeds United by signing a new three-year contract.
6th July 2025
Defenders Coban Bird and midfielder Harvey Vincent have both signed their first professional contracts with Leeds United.
9th July 2025
Leeds have secured the signing of defender Louis Enahoro-Marcus on a two-year deal following his departure from Liverpool. The 18-year-old will initially join up with the club’s Under-21 squad.
10th July 2025
Jayden Lienou has joined the club’s Academy from Manchester City.
The 17-year-old left-back has signed a three-year contract with the Whites, committing his future to the club until 2028 as he continues his development at Thorp Arch.
23rd July 2025
Exciting forward Oliver Boast has joined Tottenham Hotspur for an undisclosed fee.
25th July 2025
Defender James Debayo has left Leeds United following the expiration of his contract this summer.
13th October 2025
Devon Brockie has signed his first professional contract with Leeds United.
7th November 2025
Leeds defender Luke Matykiewicz has received a call-up to the Northern Ireland U19 squad ahead of their upcoming EURO 19 Qualifiers against Malta, Azerbaijan and Czech Republic.
11th November 2025
Six first-year scholars have appeared for the under-21s so far this season: Callum Mills, Louie Philpott, Loui Whitehead, Logan White, Jake Howard, and Harry Gray.
11th December 2025
Leeds United Under-18s booked their place in the FA Youth Cup fourth round on Thursday night after a late goal from Carrick Njinko sealed victory over Bristol City Under-18s.
The Young Whites will face Swansea City at home in the next round.
4th January 2026
Former Leeds United academy prospect James Debayo has signed for Hull City after leaving the club at the expiration of his contract.
19th January 2026
Leeds United U18s’ FA Youth Cup journey came to an end in the fourth round with a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea City U18s.
20th January 2026
Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Leonard Ngenge, who joins the club’s Academy after signing a contract through to the end of the 2026/27 season.
The defender arrives in West Yorkshire from Nigeria, having made seven appearances in all competitions this season for Remo Stars FC.