Highlights from the Stoke City Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Based in the West Midlands, Stoke City FC runs a category 1 academy
Stoke City Scholars 2024/25
The Potters inducted 12 new Academy scholars into the club for the 2024/245 season.
- Connor Day (Midfielder)
- Oghosaiwi Enabulele (Midfielder)
- Daniel Eyaife (Midfielder)
- Elliot Fearn (Forward)
- Laurence Giani (Defender)
- Ryan Liu (Midfielder)
- Tommy McNally Forward)
- Pedro Nzau (Forward)
- Jaden Ogbebor (Forward)
- Sanchez Phillips (Defender)
- Owen Powell (Defender)
- Jensen Tortoishell (Defender)
This is the group that got to the national final of the Under-15s Cup in 2023 and we are really excited about them. – Gareth Own, Academy Director
Stoke City Academy products in 1st team 2024/25
- Souleymane Sidibe (Midfielder) #30
- Emre Tezgel (Forward) #37
- Jaden Dixon (Defender) #41
- Freddie Anderson (Defender) #43
- Darius Lipsuic (Midfielder) #50
- Laurence Giani (Defender) #52
Stoke City Academy Players On Loan 2024/25
Youth players on loan.
- Tommy Simkin (Goalkeeper) Walsall
- Nathan Lowe (Forward) Walsall
- Luke Badley-Morgan (Defender) Airdrieonians
- Dara McGuinness (Forward) Leek Town
- Adam Watson (Forward) Hanley Town; Witton Albion
- Keke Jeffers (Forward) Torquay United
- Nikola Jojić (Forward) FK Mladost Lučani
- Dean Adekoya (Forward) Runcorn Linnets
- Freddie Anderson (Defender) Cork City
- Darius Lipsiuc (Midfielder) Walsall
- Jake Griffin (Defender) Brackley
- Josh Maskall (Forward) Mickleover
Stoke City Academy International Players 2024/25
- Laurence Giani (Defender) Italy U17
- Jaden Dixon (Defender) England U17, U18
- Sol Sidibe (Midfielder) England U18
- Souleymane Sidibe (Midfielder) England U18
- Freddie Anderson (Defender) USA U19
- Tommy Simkin (Goalkeeper) England U20
- Darius Lipsiuc (Midfielder) Republic of Ireland U21
Stoke 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
Stoke City U17 are drawn in Group G against under-17 teams from Manchester United, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
- Loss away against Nottingham Forest U17 (3 – 0)
- Won at home against Liverpool U17 (4 – 1)
- Loss at home against Manchester United U17 (2 – 0)
U18 Premier League Cup Group Stage
Stoke City U18 are drawn in Group F against under-18 teams Newcastle, Millwall and Chelsea.
- Loss away against Chelsea U18 (3 – 2)
- Loss away against Millwall U18 (3 – 2)
- Loss at home against Newcastle U18 (4 – 2)
Central League Cup
2024/25 Central League Cup Fixtures announced.
18 teams have entered the competition, divided into four groups:
Groups A and C contain five teams each, while Groups B and D each have four.
In the group stage, Stoke City Reserves will play each of the other three teams in Group B once. The teams are Wigan Athletics Reserves, Stockport Reserves, and Preston North End Reserves.
Stoke City Central League Cup Group Stage
- Won away against Preston North End Reserves (4 – 3)
- Freddie Anderson
- Chinoso Chibueze
- Dean Adekoya (2)
- Drew at home against Stockport Reserves (1 – 1)
- Trialist
- Drew at home against Wigan Athletic Reserves (2 – 2)
- Josh Bickerton
- Wiktor Gromek
The top two teams from each group will then advance to the quarterfinals.
Premier League 2 Player of the Month 2024/25
- Emre Tezgel (Forward) March 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.
Stoke City U21s have been placed in Group B of the new National League Cup competition.
They will face Altrincham, Forest Green Rovers, Oldham Athletic, and Rochdale, with all matches being played away from home.
National League Cup Group Stage
- Lost against Oldham (2 – 1)
- Jaden Mears
- Lost against Forest Green (4 – 0)
- Lost against Altrincham (4 – 1)
- Darius Lipsiuc
- Lost against Rochdale (2 – 0)
Stoke City Academy News
The u21s participate in the Staffordshire Senior Cup.
Jaden Dixon will form part of the U17s squad for their UEFA European Championship finals in Cyprus.
The centre half won his first cap for the Young Lions in a 5-1 victory over Northern Ireland in March 2024.
Midfielder, Sol Sidibe, has been included in the U18s squad for the first time as the Young Lions compete for the Tri Nations Trophy at St George’s Park.
7th October 2024
15th November 2024
In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Stoke City have been drawn at home to Woking.
29th November 2024
Stoke City midfielder Ryan Liu has signed his first professional contract with the Potters.
9th December 2024
Stoke City Under-18s advanced to the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup with a commanding 3-0 victory over Woking at St. George’s Park.
13th December 2024
In the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, Stoke City have been drawn at home to West Bromwich Albion.
5th January 2024
Luke Badley-Morgan has been recalled from his loan at Airdrieonians.
10th January 2025
FA Youth Cup Fifth Round Draw
13th January 2025
Nathan Lowe has been recalled from his loan spell with the Saddlers after Stoke City activated the recall clause in his agreement.
The 19-year-old impressed with 17 goals and six assists in 29 appearances.
14th January 2025
Stoke City U18s saw their FA Youth Cup journey end with a 2 – 0 home defeat to West Bromwich Albion in the fourth round.
8th April 2025
Emre Tezgel has been shortlisted for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for March 2025.
16th April 2025
Souleymane Sidibe has been shortlisted by the LFE for the EFL Championship Apprentice of the Season awards for 2025.
This award honours exceptional young professionals at EFL clubs who have distinguished themselves both on and off the pitch throughout the 2024/25 season.
Academy Players Released
- George Iorpenda (Joins Huddersfield Town)