Highlights from the Nottingham Forest Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in the East Midlands, Nottingham Forest FC runs a category 1 academy
- B Team Head Coach: Warren Joyce
Nottingham Forest Academy Scholars 2024/25
The following players have all put pen to paper on two-year scholarships and will be a part of Nottingham Forest’s Under-18s squad for the 2024/25 campaign.
- Zyan Blake (Forward)
- Evan Boulter (Midfielder)
- Taeneal Brandy (Forward)
- Ethan Broomes (Defender)
- Isaac Davies (Midfielder)
- Frank Djamna (Midfielder)
- Bubbacar Sanneh (Defender)
- Fuad Smith (Midfielder)
- Zac Smith (Goalkeeper)
- Will Thompson (Defender)
- Jordan Willows (Midfielder)
- Jonathan Whiteley (Defender)
Nottingham Forest Academy Players On Loan 2024/25
Youth players on loan.
- Detlef Esapa Osong (Forward) Rotherham United; Cambridge United
- Jamie McDonnell (Midfielder) Colchester United
- Aaron Donnelly (Defender) Colchester United
- Dale Taylor (Forward) Wigan Athletic
- Manni Norkett (Forward) Cheltenham Town
- Joe Gardner (Forward) Lincoln City
- Ben Perry (Midfielder) Northampton Town
- Will Brook (Goalkeeper) Farsley
Nottingham Forest Academy International Players 2024/25
- Evan Boulter (Forward) Northern Ireland U17
- Scott Hamilton (Forward) Northern Ireland U17
- Alastair Graham (Goalkeeper) Scotland U17
- Isaac Davies (Midfielder) Wales U18
- Zach Abbott (Defender) England U19
- Eric da Silva Moreira (Forward) Germany U19
- Danni Anisjko (Forward) Latvia U19
- Kristian Fletcher (Forward) USA U20
- Ben Hammond (Defender) Wales U21
- Elliott Anderson (Midfielder) England U21
- Joe Gardner (Forward) Republic of Ireland U21
- Jamie McDonnell (Midfielder) Northern Ireland U21
- Aaron Donnelly (Defender) Northern Ireland U21, First Team
- Dale Taylor (Forward) Northern Ireland U21, First Team
Nottingham Forest Academy Products in 1st Team 2024/25
- Elliott Anderson (Midfielder) #8
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
Nottingham Forest U17 are drawn in Group G against under-17 teams from Stoke City, Liverpool and Manchester United.
- Won at home against Stoke City U17 (3 – 0)
- Lost away against Manchester United U17 (6 – 1)
- Lost away against Liverpool U17 (4 – 1)
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.
Nottingham Forest U21s have been placed in Group D of the new National League Cup competition.
They will face Braintree Town, Dagenham and Redbridge, Ebbsfleet United and Sutton United with all matches being played away from home.
National League Cup Group Stage
- Won against Dagenham & Redbridge (3 – 1)
- Adam Berry (2)
- Jack Nadin
- Lost against Braintree Town (1 – 0)
- Lost against Ebbsfleet United (1 – 1) Pens (2 – 1)
- Kyle McAdam
Premier League 2
Starting from the 2023 season, all 26 Category 1 teams compete in a single league using the Swiss-style format.
Entry into or removal from this league depends on meeting the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) accreditation criteria.
Premier League 2 Round of 16
- Lost away against Fulham U21 (1 – 0)
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.
Nottingham Forest U21 are drawn in Group B against under 21 teams from Coventry City, Hull City and Leicester City.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
- Won away against Leicester City U21 (2 – 1)
- Jahmari Lindsey (OG)
- Jack Thomspson
- Won at home against Coventry City U21 (2 – 0)
- Archie Whitehall
- Kristian Fletcher
- Won at home against Hull City U21 (5 – 1)
- Ben Hammond
- Kyle Mcadam
- Joe Gardner
- Jack Nadin (2)
- Drew away at Coventry U21 (0 – 0)
- Lost at home against Leicester U21 (2 – 1)
- Kristian Fletcher
- Won away against Hull City U21 (1 – 0)
- Jimmy Sinclair
The U21 Premier League Cup Round of 16
- Won at home against Luton Town Reserves (2 – 0)
- Kyle Mcadam
- Kristian Fletcher
U21 Premier League Cup Quarter-Final
- Lost away against Brentford U21 (1 – 0)
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.
Nottingham Forest U21 will face Valencia CF, AS Monaco, Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb in the initial phase of the tournament.
Tottenham Hotspur, Reading, and Wolves are the other UK-based teams in their group.
U21 Premier League International Cup Group Stage
- Won against GNK Dinamo Zagreb U21 (3 – 0)
- Connor Brown
- Jack Nadin
- Kyle McAdam
- Lost against Valencia B (1 – 0)
- Won against Jong Ajax (1 – 0)
- Jack Nadin
- Won against AS Monaco U21 (3 – 1)
- Fin Back
- Jack Nadin
- Eric da Silva Moreira
The U21 Premier League International Cup Quarter-Final
- Won at home against FC Nordsjælland U21 (2 – 1)
- Eric da Silva Moreira (2)
U21 Premier League International Cup Semi-Final
- Won at home against Athletic Bilbao U21 (2 – 0)
- Archie Whitehall
- Manni Norkett
U21 Premier League International Cup Final
- Won at home against Lyon U21 (0 – 0 AET) (5 – 4 PENS)
Nottingham Forest Academy News
Aaron Bott and Kyle McAdam have both been nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month award for August 2024
12th November 2024
During half term, Nottingham Forest foundation phase players (U9-U11) take part in a multi-sports program aimed at promoting a well-rounded learning experience.
The activities include team bonding, playing Padel, and a combined psychological and social tournament with Notts County.
15th November 2024
In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Nottingham Forest have been drawn away to Everton.
18th November 2024
Forward Kristian Fletcher, on loan from D.C. United, is currently on international duty with the USA U20s, participating in matches against South Korea and France.
3rd December 2024
Nottingham Forest’s B Team opened their National League Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge, thanks to a brace from Adam Berry and a goal from Jack Nadin.
6th December 2024
Joe Gardner and Jack Perkins have both been nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month Award for November.
12th December 2024
The FA Youth Cup journey came to an end for Nottingham Forest after a third-round loss 7 – 0 away at Everton.
18th December 2024
Fuad Smith has committed to his first professional contract with the club, signing a three-year deal. The midfielder has been part of Forest since joining at the age of 10.
20th December 2024
Nottingham Forest have reached the Quarter-finals of the PL International Cup after a 3-1 victory over AS Monaco in their fourth Group A match.
2nd January 2025
Esapa Osong and Manni Norkett have returned from their loan spells at Rotherham United and Cheltenham Town, respectively.
8th January 2025
Aaron Donnelly has been recalled from his loan at Colchester and has completed a permanent transfer to Dundee.
12th March 2025
Nottingham Forest U21s have advanced to the semi-finals of the Premier League International Cup after a 2-1 win over FC Nordsjælland U21.
18th March 2025
Nottingham Forest under-21s will face Athletic Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup semi-finals.
19th March 2025
Forest U21s have been drawn away to face Brentford U21s in the quarter-finals of the U21 Premier League Cup.
29th March 2025
Nottingham Forest U21s exited the Premier League Cup after a 1-0 away defeat to Brentford U21s.
3rd April 2025
The Premier League International Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Athletic Bilbao is set to take place at the City Ground on Tuesday, April 15, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm.
10th April 2025
19-year-old goalkeeper Keehan Willows has signed his first professional contract with Nottingham Forest
15th April 2025
Nottingham Forest Under-21s have secured their spot in the Premier League International Cup final after a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao Under-21s in the semi-finals.
Goals from Archie Whitehall and Manni Norkett sealed the win.
22nd April 2025
Nottingham Forest Under-21s will play against Lyon U21 in the final of the Premier League International Cup. The exact date and time will be announced soon.
28th April 2025
Nottingham Forest U21s have been eliminated from the Premier League 2 knockout stage after a 1-0 defeat away to Fulham U21.
29th April 2025
The date and kick-off time for Nottingham Forest B Team’s Premier League International Cup Final against Olympique Lyonnais U21 have been confirmed.
The young Reds will host the French side in Nottingham on Wednesday, 7 May, with the match set to kick off at 7:00 pm.
7th May 2025
Nottingham Forest U21 have clinched the Premier League International Cup title after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Lyon Reserves in the final.
14th May 2025
Alfie Bradshaw has been named Scholar of the Year for Nottingham Forest
19th May 2025
Nottingham Forest can confirm Jack Perkins has left the Club, joining Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee.
B Team Players Released
- Sam Collins (Joins King’s Lynn)
- Jack Nadin
- Jack Perkins (Joins Northampton Town)
- Harry Griffiths (Joins Notts County)
- Will Brook (Joins Shrewsbury Town)
- Manni Norkett (Joins Boston United)
- Connor Brown