Highlights from the Southampton Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in the South East England, Southampton FC runs a category 1 academy
Southampton Academy Scholars 2024/25
The Saints have announced their newest group of scholars for the 2024/25 season, featuring eight young talents who have signed contracts with the club.
- Korban McMullan (Midfielder)
- Hansel Adjei-Afriyie (Defender)
- Dylan Moody (Goalkeeper)
- Harry Gathercole (Midfielder)
- Thierry Rohart-Brown (Midfielder)
- Cameron Frederick (Defender)
- Leo Umeh (Forward)
- Nsemi Bassega (Forward)
- Oli Newman (Forward)
- Tino Goremusandu (Midfielder)
Southampton Academy Players On Loan 2024/25
Youth players on loan.
- Ollie Wright (Goalkeeper) Yeovil Town; Solihull Moors
- Nico Lawrence (Defender) MK Dons
- Zach Awe (Defender) Accrington Stanley
- Lewis Payne (Defender) Cheltenham Town
- Cameron Bragg (Midfielder) Crawley Town
- Dom Ballard (Forward) Blackpool; Cambridge
- Shea Charles (Midfielder) Sheffield Wednesday
- Sam Edozie (Forward) RSC Anderlecht
- Ronnie Edwards (Defender) QPR
- Will Armitage (Defender) Aldershot Town FC
- Sam Amo-Ameyaw (Forward) RC Strasbourg
- Adil Mohammed (Goalkeeper) United FC
Southampton Academy Products in the First Team 2024/25
- Tyler Dibling (Midfielder) #33
- Sam Amo-Ameyaw (Forward) #27
Southampton Academy International Players 2024/25
- George Moloney (Goalkeeper) Republic of Ireland U16
- Oscar Abbotson (Goalkeeper) Wales U16
- George Abbotson (Defender) Wales U16, U17
- Leo Rodella (Midfielder) Italy U17
- Oli Newman (Forward) Wales U17
- Baylee Dipepa ((Forward) England U18
- Josh Pitts (Forward) Malta U18
- Jay Robinson (Forward) England U18
- Jayden Meghoma (Defender) England U19
- Tyler Dibling (Midfielder) England U19
- Sam Amo-Ameyaw (Forward) England U19
- Romeo Akachukwu (Midfielder) Republic of Ireland U19
- Rory MacLeod (Forward) Scotland U19
- Dominic Ballard (Forward) England U20
- Jonathan Moses Sesay (Midfielder) England U18; Sierra Leone U20
- Joe O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Midfielder) Republic of Ireland U21
- Ronnie Edwards (Defender) England U21
- Cameron Bragg (Midfielder) Scotland U21
- Adli Mohamed (Goalkeeper) United Arab Emirates First Team
Southampton 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
Southampton U17 are drawn in Group C against under 17 teams from Brighton, Crystal Palace and Reading.
- Drew at home against Brighton U17 (2 – 2)
- Won away against Reading U17 (3 – 2)
U17 Premier League Cup Quarter-Finals
- Lost at home against Charlton U17 (2 – 1)
- Adetokunbo Oyekunle
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Southampton U18 are drawn in Group D against under-18 teams from Everton, West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
- Lost at home against Everton U18 (4 – 2)
- Won at home against Nottingham Forest U18 (6 – 2)
- Lost away against West Ham U18 (3 – 1)
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 Playoffs Round of 16
- Won at home against Leicester City U21 (5 – 3)
- William Merry
- Jay Robinson
- Princewill Ehibhatiomhan
- Joachim Sanda
- Cam Bragg
The Premier League 2 Playoffs Quarter-Final
- Won at home against Fulham U21 (5 – 2)
- Joachim Sanda
- Dominic Ballard (3)
- Princewill Ehibhatiomhan
Premier League 2 Playoffs Semi-Final
- Won away against Crystal Palace U21 (2 – 1)
- Dominic Ballard
- Derrick Abu
Premier League 2 Playoffs Final
- Lost away against Manchester City U21 (2 – 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.
Southampton U21 are drawn in Group C against under 21 teams from Swansea City, West Bromwich Albion and Fleetwood Town.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
- Drew away against West Bromwich Albion U21 (2 – 2)
- Princewill Ehibhatiomhan (2)
- Won at home against Fleetwood U21 (4 – 1)
- Jay Robinson
- Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh
- Will Merry
- Princewill Ehibhatiomhan
- Won away at Swansea City U21 (2 – 1)
- Baylee Dipepa
- Romeo Akachukwu
- Drew at home against West Bromwich Albion U21 (2 – 2)
- Moses Sesay
- Baylee Dipepa
- Drew at home against Swansea City U21 (2 – 2)
- Jay Robinson
- Romeo Akachukwu
- Lost away against Fleetwood U21 (2 – 0)
Premier League Cup Round of 16
- Won away against Sheffield United U21 (4 – 1)
- Baylee Dipepa (2)
- Jay Robinson
- Romeo Akachukwu
U21 Premier League Cup Quarter-Final
- Won at home against Charlton U21 (5 – 3)
- Lewis Payne
- Romeo Akachukwu
- Cameron Bragg
- Princewill Ehibhatiomhan
- Brandon Charles
U21 Premier League Cup Semi-Final
- Lost at home against Brentford B (2 – 0)
Premier League 2 Player of the Month 2024/25
- Dom Ballard (Forward) Southampton Winner
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.
Southampton 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 Woking (4 – 4) Pen (3 – 0)
- Princewill Ehibhatiomhan
- Jay Robinson
- Rory Macleod
- Romeo Akachukwu
- Lost against Wealdstone (3 – 1)
- Will Merry
- Lost against Aldershot (2 – 1)
- Jay Robinson
- Won against Maidenhead (6 – 0)
- Princewill Ehibhatiomhan (3)
- Jayden Moore
- Moses Sesay
- Cameron Bragg
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.
Southampton U21 will face RB Leipzig, Anderlecht, Real Sociedad and Sporting CP in the initial phase of the tournament.
Brighton, Chelsea and Crystal Palace are the other UK-based teams in their group.
Southampton U21 Premier League International Cup Group Stage
- Won against RB Leipzig U21 (4 – 1)
- Brandon Charles
- Baylee Dipepa
- Rory Macleod (2)
- Lost against Real Sociedad U21 (4 – 3)
- Baylee Dipepa
- Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh
- Princewill Ehibhatiomhan
- Lost against Sporting U21 (5 – 0)
- Won against Anderlecht Reserve U21 (3 – 1)
- Baylee Dipepa (2)
- Samuel Amo-Ameyaw
Southampton Academy News
Four academy signings from other academies made by Southampton in 2024
- Baylee Dipepa (17) Forward from Port Vale
- Noel Buck (19) Midfielder from New England
- Sam Tabares (17) Right Back from Fulham
- Rory MacLeod (18) Forward from Dundee
24th September 2024
Joe O’Brien Whitmarsh, 19, accompanied the Saints to Goodison Park for their Carabao Cup match against Everton on Tuesday, September 17th.
14th November 2024
Dylan Moody has been invited to an England goalkeeper’s development camp.
15th November 2024
In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Southampton have been drawn away to Swansea.
11th December 2024
After beating Swansea City away 0 – 2 in the first third, Southampton have secured a place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
13th December 2024
In the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, Southampton have been drawn away to Fleetwood Town.
9th January 2025
The Saints have announced the signing of 18-year-old defender Joachim Kayi Sanda from Valenciennes.
10th January 2025
FA Youth Cup Fifth Round Draw
14th January 2025
Southampton have advanced to the 5th round of the FA Youth Cup with a 3-0 victory away at Fleetwood Town.
Goals from Sufianu Sillah Dibanga, Baylee Dipepa, and Jay Robinson secured the win for the young Saints.
21st January 2025
Midfielder Moses Sesay has signed his first professional contract with the Saints, committing to the club until 2028.
25th January 2025
Joshua Pitts has departed Southampton after 12 years to sign his first professional contract with Ipswich Town.
4th February 2025
Left winger, Victor Udoh has joined Southampton from Royal Antwerp
The Saints U18s have advanced to the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals after a 4-1 victory over Derby County.
Goals scored by Sufianu Dibaga, Baylee Dipepa (2) and Harry Gathercole.
Dom Ballard, Cameron Bragg and Lewis Payne have all been nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month for January 2025.
7th February 2025
Striker, Dom Ballard, has been named the PL2 Player of the Month for January after scoring four goals and providing two assists.
18th February 2025
Southampton FC Under-18s will head to Watford on Tuesday, February 25, for the FA Youth Cup quarter-final.
25th February 2025
The FA Youth Cup run came to an end for Southampton U18s with a 2-1 away defeat to Watford, with Nick Oyekunle scoring their only goal.
6th March 2025
Jay Robinson has been nominated for the PL2 Player of the Month for February.
12th March 2025
Southampton under-15s are through to the Floodlit Cup semi-finals after beating Millwall 4 – 3.
21st March 2025
Southampton’s Under-21s will face Charlton in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals. The match is set for Saturday, March 29, at Staplewood Campus, kicking off at 2 PM.
29th March 2025
Southampton U21s triumphed over Charlton U21s in the Premier League Cup quarter-finals, with the match ending 2-2 in regular time before Southampton secured a 5-3 victory in extra time.
2nd April 2025
Saints Under-15s have reached the Floodlit Cup Final after defeating Fulham on penalties following a 3-3 draw in the semi-finals last night.
22nd April 2025
In the Premier League 2 Round of 16, Southampton U21s will take on Leicester City U21s. The match is scheduled for April 27th.
27th April 2025
Southampton Under-21s have reached the quarter-finals of the Premier League 2 knockout stage with a 5-3 win over Leicester U21. Goals came from William Merry, Jay Robinson, Princewill Ehibhatiomhan, Joachim Sanda, and Cam Bragg.
28th April 2025
Southampton Under-21s are set to host Fulham Under-21s in the Premier League 2 knockout stage quarter-finals on Saturday, May 3rd.
1st May 2025
Southampton Under-21s have been knocked out of the Premier League Cup after a 2–0 home defeat to Brentford in the semi-finals.
5th May 2025
Southampton U21s booked their place in the Premier League 2 Playoff semi-finals with an emphatic 5–2 victory over Fulham U21s.
Dominic Ballard starred with a hat-trick, while Joachim Sanda and Princewill Ehibhatiomhan each added a goal to cap off a dominant performance.
11th May 2025
Southampton Academy defender Will Armitage contributed to Aldershot Town’s victory in the 2024/25 Isuzu FA Trophy.
12th May 2025
Southampton Under-21 have advanced to the Premier League 2 play-off final with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Crystal Palace.
Goals from Dominic Ballard and Derrick Abu secured the win for the young Saints.
22nd May 2025
Southampton U21 fell short in the Premier League 2 play-off final, suffering a 2-0 defeat to a strong Manchester City side.
Despite a determined performance, the young Saints were unable to find a breakthrough, ultimately finishing as runners-up in the 2024/25 campaign.
Young Professionals Released
- Derrick Abu
- Josh Lett
- Josh McNamara
- Lewis Payne (Joins Morecambe)