Manchester City Academy

Manchester City FC runs a category 1 academy based in the North West. They have an elite youth development program that nurtures young talent.

The Academy’s official X (formerly Twitter) account is @ManCityAcademy.

Academy Competitions

Each season, the Academy competes across the standard slate of competitions for Category One clubs:

• U18 Premier League – split into North and South divisions; Manchester City’s Under-18s play in the North League.
• U17 & U18 Premier League Cup – introduced by the Premier League in 2017 (originally as the U16 Premier League Cup, renamed the U17 Premier League Cup in 2020); seven group winners plus the best runner-up (by points, goal difference, then head-to-head) progress to the quarter-finals.
• FA Youth Cup – the traditional nationwide knockout competition open to academy sides across English football.
• UEFA Youth League – the leading academy-age club competition in Europe, mirroring the format of the UEFA Champions League group stage; Manchester City’s Under-19s compete when eligible.
• Premier League 2 – since 2023, all Category One academies play in a single Swiss-style league, with entry and removal governed by Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
• Premier League International Cup – four groups of eight, each combining four UK-based Under-21 sides with four invited overseas development squads; the top two in each group advance to the knockout stage.
• Vertu Trophy (EFL Trophy) – a midweek knockout competition featuring clubs from EFL League One and League Two alongside 16 invited Category One academies, regionalised into northern and southern sections through to the quarter-finals.

2025/26 Season

The Academy enters the 2025/26 season under Academy Director Thomas Kruecken and U19 Head Coach Ben Wilkinson.

Scholars 2025/26

Finlay Gorman (Midfielder), Finley Grigg (Goalkeeper), Dante Headley (Defender), Charlie Holt (Midfielder), Teddie Lamb (Midfielder), Milo Martin (Defender), Yohan Obin (Defender)

Floyd Samba (Midfielder), Sam Wadsworth (Midfielder), Jacob Wain (Midfielder), Timeo Whisker (Forward) and Ben Vickery (Goalkeeper).

Academy Players on Loan 2025/26

• Divin Mubama (Forward) – Stoke City
• Finlay Burns (Defender) – Reading FC
• Oliver Whatmuff (Goalkeeper) – Rochdale AFC
• Joel Ndala (Forward) – Hull City; Sheffield Wednesday
• Max Alleyne (Defender) – Watford
• Sverre Nypan (Midfielder) – Middlesbrough
• Lakyle Samuel (Defender) – Bromley
• Mahamadou Susoho (Midfielder) – Livingston
• Luca Fletcher (Forward) – Ipswich Town U21
• Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (Defender) – FC Köln
• Emilio Lawrence (Forward) – Luton Town
• William Dickson (Forward) – Chesterfield
• Jaden Heskey (Midfielder) – Sheffield Wednesday
• Stephen Mfuni (Defender) – Watford

Academy Players in the First Team 2025/26

Divine Mukasa (Midfielder, #63).

International Players 2025/26

• Theodore Carrington (Defender) – England U16
• Prince Otabor Osifo (Defender) – England U16
• David Eze (Midfielder) – England U16
• Xavier Tau Parker (Midfielder) – England U16
• Reigan Heskey (Forward) – England U17
• Ben Vickery (Goalkeeper) – England U17
• Marlow Barrett (Defender) – England U17
• Archie Thornton (Defender) – England U17
• Floyd Samba (Midfielder) – England U17
• Kaden Braithwaite (Defender) – England U17; U18
• Dante Headley (Defender) – England U17; U18
• Finlay Gorman (Midfielder) – England U18
• Harrison Miles (Midfielder) – England U17; U18
• Ryan McAidoo (Forward) – England U18
• Max Hudson (Goalkeeper) – Wales U19
• Caelan Cadamarteri (Forward) – Scotland U17; U19
• Stephen Mfuni (Defender) – England U19
• Kian Noble (Defender) – England U19
• Divine Mukasa (Midfielder) – England U19
• Christian McFarlane (Defender) – England U19
• Lakyle Samuel (Defender) – England U20
• Joel Ndala (Midfielder) – England U20
• Justin Oke Oboavwoduo (Midfielder) – England U20
• Max Alleyne (Defender) – England U21
• Rico Lewis (Defender) – England U21
• Nico O’Reilly (Midfielder) – England U21; First Team
• Divin Mubama (Forward) – England U21
• Emilio Lawrence (Forward) – Scotland U21
• Michael Okeke (Midfielder) – Hungary U21

2025/26 Tournament Groupings

In the U18 Premier League, Manchester City’s Under-18s were crowned North winners and were drawn to play Chelsea to determine the National champion.

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Manchester City’s Under-17s were drawn in Group C against Aston Villa, Everton and Liverpool.

For the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group D against Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Sheffield United.

In the FA Youth Cup, the Under-18s were drawn at home against Fulham in the third round proper, at home against Arsenal in the fourth round proper, and away against Chelsea in the fifth round proper.

In the UEFA Youth League group stage, the Under-19s were drawn against Napoli, Monaco, Villarreal, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, before being drawn away against HJK Helsinki in the round of 32.

Also in Premier League 2, Mahamadou Sangare and Seb Naylor were nominated for Player of the Month for October 2025, while Justin Oboavwoduo was nominated for March 2026.

In the Premier League International Cup, Manchester City were drawn in Group A against Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, PSV Eindhoven and Monaco, alongside fellow UK sides Everton, Wolves and Southampton.

In the Vertu Trophy, the Under-21s were drawn into Northern Group E alongside Bolton Wanderers, Oldham Athletic and Rotherham.

Season Timeline

July 2025

• Under-17 talent Dante Headley committed to a long-term contract with Manchester City.
• Mahamadou Sangaré completed his move to Manchester City, signing his contract after departing PSG.
• City’s Elite Development Squad was set to compete in the Premier League International Cup for the first time since the 2015/16 season.

September 2025

• Hungarian youth international Michael Okeke joined Puskás Akadémia, signing a three-year deal with last season’s league runners-up; the 19-year-old made the move after spending nine years at Manchester City’s academy.
• Rico Lewis extended his contract at City until 2030.

October 2025

• Defenders Dante Headley and Kaden Braithwaite were named in the England U17 squad for the 2025 World Cup in Qatar, joined by midfielders Harrison Miles and Ryan McAidoo, along with forward Reigan Heskey.
• Manchester City Academy midfielder David Eze and Xavier Parker earned a call-up to the England Under-16 squad for the upcoming Football Federations Cup in Antalya, Türkiye.

November 2025

• Manchester City academy players Charlie Gray and Joel Ndala received a call-up to the England U20 squad ahead of their upcoming match against Japan at Doncaster Rovers.
• Manchester City’s Under-18s were set to host Fulham in the FA Youth Cup third round proper on Friday 5 December, with kick-off at 7:00pm.

December 2025

• Manchester City’s Under-19s completed the UEFA Youth League group stage with a 10th-place finish, securing a place in the last 32; they were drawn to face HJK Helsinki away in the round of 32, with the tie provisionally scheduled for 3–4 February 2026.

January 2026

• Will Dickson completed a permanent move to Chesterfield following the end of his loan spell from Manchester City; the forward departed City having agreed a contract that will run until the summer of 2027.
• Defender Jadel Katongo joined Kayserispor following his departure from Manchester City; the 21-year-old, who previously spent time on loan at Peterborough, agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract with the Turkish side.
• Manchester City defender Seb Naylor completed a permanent move to Bristol City for an undisclosed fee; the 20-year-old signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with the Championship side.

February 2026

• Manchester City’s Under-19s were eliminated from the UEFA Youth League, following their tie against HJK Helsinki, edged out in the Finnish capital despite mounting three comebacks to take the tie to a shootout.

April 2026

• Manchester City appointed Carl Walker as their new Head of Academy Scouting and Recruitment, bringing over six years of experience within the City Football Group.

2024/25 Season

The Manchester City EDS and Academy enjoyed a proud and incredible 2024/25 season, with the Academy reaching the FA Youth Cup final and the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals.

They also set new club records with 21 consecutive league victories and 65 points, while four players made their first-team debuts under Pep Guardiola.

The Elite Development Squad were crowned Premier League 2 champions, becoming the first team to win the title for a fourth time in the competition’s history.

The Academy competed under Academy Director Thomas Kruecken, EDS Head Coach Ben Wilkinson, and Under-18 Head Coach Oliver Reiss.

Scholars 2024/25

The next group of young talented players at Manchester City was revealed for the 2024/25 season, with 12 Academy players receiving scholarships: Kaden Braithwaite (Defender), Seth Chingwaro (Midfielder)

Charlie Courtman (Defender), Leke Drake (Defender), Reigan Heskey (Forward), Max Hudson (Goalkeeper), Jayden Lienou (Defender), Stephen Mfuni (Defender), Kylan Midwood (Forward)

Tyrone Samba (Forward), Oliver Tevenan (Defender) and Oliver Whatmuf (Goalkeeper).

The Manchester City Under-15s were crowned Kevin De Bruyne Cup (KDB Cup) champions for 2024, following their final against KAA Genk.

Academy Players on Loan 2024/25

• Mahamadou Susoho (Midfielder) – Peterborough United (recalled following an injury sustained while on loan)
• Callum Doyle (Defender) – Norwich City
• Joel Ndala (Forward) – PSV; Nottingham Forest
• Claudio Echeverri (Midfielder) – River Plate
• Kayky da Silva Chagas (Forward) – Sparta Rotterdam
• Jadel Katongo (Defender) – Peterborough United
• Finlay Burns (Defender) – Hull City
• Luke Mbete (Defender) – Northampton Town
• Kian Breckin (Defender) – Crewe Alexandra
• Tomas Galvez (Defender) – LASK; SC Cambuur
• True Grant (Goalkeeper) – Buxton
• Josh Wilson-Esbrand (Defender) – Stoke City
• Jacob Wright (Midfielder) – Norwich City

Academy Graduates in the First Team 2024/25

James McAtee (Midfielder, #87), Rico Lewis (Midfielder, #82), Jacob Wright (Midfielder, #56), Nico O’Reilly (Midfielder, #75), Kaden Braithwaite (Defender, #61), Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (Defender, #66).

International Players 2024/25

• Theo Carrington – England U15
• Isaac McGilvery – England U15 Camp
• Batista Inedqui – England U15 Camp
• Marlow Barrett (Defender) – England U16
• Floyd Samba (Midfielder) – England U16
• Tyrese Noubissie (Midfielder) – England U16
• Archie Thornton – England U16
• Lucas Alvarado (Goalkeeper) – Guatemala U17
• Kaden Braithwaite (Defender) – England U17
• Dante Headley (Defender) – England U17
• Finlay Gorman (Forward) – England U17
• Reigan Heskey (Forward) – England U17
• Ryan McAidoo (Midfielder) – England U17
• Harrison Miles (Midfielder) – England U17
• Jayden Lienou (Defender) – Wales U17; U19
• Spike Brits (Goalkeeper) – England U18
• Oliver Whatmuff (Goalkeeper) – England U18
• Christian McFarlane (Defender) – England U18
• Kian Noble (Defender) – England U18
• Divine Mukasa (Forward) – England U18
• Matt Henderson-Hall (Defender) – England U19
• Stephen Mfuni (Defender) – England U18, U19
• Justin Oboavwoduo (Midfielder) – England U19
• Rhys Thomas (Defender) – Wales U19
• Nico O’Reilly (Midfielder) – England U20
• Max Alleyne (Defender) – England U20
• Jacob Wright (Midfielder) – England U20
• Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (Defender) – England U20
• Divin Mubama (Forward) – England U20
• James McAtee (Midfielder) – England U21
• Callum Doyle (Defender) – England U21
• Emilo Lawrence (Forward) – Scotland U21
• Michael Okeke (Midfielder) – Hungary U21
• Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Defender) – England First Team

2024/25 Tournament Groupings

In the U17 Premier League Cup, Manchester City’s Under-17s were drawn in Group F against Blackburn, Everton and Fleetwood.

In the U18 Premier League Cup, the Under-18s were drawn in Group A against Brighton, Derby County and Norwich City.

In the UEFA Youth League, the Under-19s were drawn against Inter, Slovan Bratislava, Sparta Praha, Sporting CP, Feyenoord and Juventus in the initial phase, before progressing through the round of 32 against Midtjylland and the round of 16 against Hoffenheim, to the quarter-final against AZ Alkmaar.

In Premier League 2, the Under-21s were drawn against Liverpool in the round of 16, before progressing through the play-offs quarter-final against Arsenal and the semi-final against Manchester United, to the final against Southampton, where they were crowned champions.

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht and Divin Mubama were named Player of the Month winners for September and February respectively.

Season Timeline

November 2024

• Emilo Lawrence was nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month award for October 2024.
• Cieran Slicker, a former Manchester City academy goalkeeper now at Ipswich Town, was called up to Steve Clarke’s Scotland first-team squad.
• In the third round of the FA Youth Cup, Manchester City were drawn at home to Crystal Palace.
• Taylor Harwood-Bellis made his England first-team debut.
• The third-round fixture against Crystal Palace in the FA Youth Cup was scheduled for Friday 6 December at the Joie Stadium.

December 2024

• Manchester City’s Under-18s secured a place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, following their tie against Crystal Palace.
• In the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, Manchester City were drawn at home to Millwall.
• Manchester City were set to face FC Midtjylland away in the UEFA Youth League round of 16.
• The FA Youth Cup fourth-round match against Millwall was scheduled for Thursday 16 January, to be played at the Joie Stadium.

January 2025

• The FA Youth Cup fifth round draw took place.
• Manchester City’s Under-18s advanced past Millwall in the FA Youth Cup.
• Manchester City’s FA Youth Cup clash with Leeds United was scheduled for Tuesday 4 February, at the LNER Stadium.

February 2025

• City’s Under-18s secured a spot in the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals, following their tie away to Leeds United.
• Manchester City’s Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup quarter-final against West Bromwich Albion was set to be held away at The Hawthorns on Thursday 27 February.
• Manchester City’s Under-19s were set to face Hoffenheim in the UEFA Youth League round of 16 on Wednesday 5 March, at the Dietmar-Hopp-Stadion in Hoffenheim.
• Manchester City’s Under-18s secured a spot in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals, following their tie away at West Brom.

March 2025

• Divin Mubama and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey were both nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month for February.
• 16-year-old striker Teddie Lam signed with Manchester City from Leyton Orient.
• Manchester City’s Under-18 FA Youth Cup semi-final tie against Watford was set to take place on Thursday 10 April, away at Vicarage Road.
• Broadcast details were confirmed for Manchester City’s FA Youth Cup semi-final against Watford’s Under-18s at Vicarage Road on Thursday 10 April, along with the other semi-final between Aston Villa and Manchester United on Monday 31 March; both matches would be streamed live on The FA Player and the Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel.

April 2025

• Manchester City’s Under-19s were eliminated from the UEFA Youth League, following their tie away to AZ Alkmaar.
• Manchester City’s Under-18s secured their place in the FA Youth Cup final, following their tie against Watford’s Under-18s in the second semi-final; they were set to face Aston Villa’s Under-18s at Villa Park.
• In the Premier League 2 round of 16, Manchester City’s Under-21s were set to take on Liverpool’s Under-21s, with the match scheduled for 25 April.
• Manchester City’s Under-21s progressed to the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 knockout stage, following their tie against Liverpool’s Under-21s.
• Manchester City’s Under-21s were set to host Arsenal’s Under-21s in the Premier League 2 knockout stage quarter-finals on Saturday 3 May.

May 2025

• Manchester City’s Under-21s secured a place in the Premier League 2 play-off semi-finals, following their tie against Arsenal’s Under-21s.
• Manchester City’s Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup final against Aston Villa brought an end to their impressive 26-game winning streak.
• Emilio Lawrence and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey were both nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award.
• Manchester City’s Under-21s advanced to the Premier League 2 play-off final, following their tie against Manchester United.
• Jahmai Simpson-Pausey was awarded the Premier League 2 Player of the Season award.
• Jacob Wright completed a permanent move from Manchester City to Norwich City; the deal was triggered after Wright met a clause requiring him to start at least nine matches, giving Norwich the option to make the transfer permanent.
• With the target achieved, Norwich secured his services for a fee of £2.3 million.
• End of season award winners: Matty Warhurst – Scholar of the Season; Reigan Heskey – Under-18s Player of the Season; Divine Mukasa – Players’ Player of the Season; Max Alleyne – EDS Player of the Season; Charlie Gray – EDS Players’ Player of the Season.
• Manchester City’s Under-18s’ U18 Premier League play-off final against Aston Villa brought their season to a close.
• Manchester City’s Under-21s were crowned Premier League 2 champions for the 2024/25 season, following their play-off final against Southampton’s Under-21s.