Highlights from the Watford Academy 2024–25 season showcasing progress along the EPPP development pathway for youth players.
Basedin Hertfordshire, Watford Academy is a category 2 academy.
Watford Scholars 2024/25
- Tobi Akinyimika
- Zack Braverman
- Tony Cowie
- Marays Galajevs
- Jai-Dea Moulton
- Tyler Notley
- Jael Norville
- Jonny Scriven
- Kymani Smith-Daley
- Seb Thrussell
- Raul Vancea
Watford Academy Players On Loan 2024/25
Youth players on loan.
- Josh Mullins (Defender) Bedford Town – Youth loan
- Jack Grieves (Forward) Ross County
- Michael Adu Poku (Forward) Solihull Moors; Rochdale
- Roraigh Browne (Goalkeeper) Bishop Strotford; AFC Dunstable; Hendon
- Albert Eames (Defender) Chelmsford City
- Myles Roberts (Goalkeeper) Patrick Thistle; Bristol Rovers
- Jonathan Macauley (Goalkeeper) Oxford City; Bedford Town
- Aidan Coyne (Defender) Maidenhead United
- Bentley Assiedou (Midfielder) Kings Langley
- George Abbott (Defender) Hendon; Potters Bar Town
- Freddie Buers (Defender) Potters Bar Town
- James Clarridge (Defender) St Albans City
- Jonathan Lawson (Forward) Kings Langley; Hitchin Town
- Alistair Gould (Defender) Kings Langley
- Sam Morris (Goalkeeper) Hendon
- Prince Sikiru (Forward) Grays Athletic
- Jake Watkiss (Forward) Farnborough; Needham Market
- Charlie Bolding (Midfielder) Colney Heath
Watford Academy Products in 1st Team 2024/25
- Alfie Marriott (Goalkeeper) #41
- Zavier Massiah-Edwards (Forward) #47
- Leo Ramirez-Espain (Midfielder) #52
- Jai-Dea Moulton (Midfielder) #58
Academy International Players 2024/25
- Mathis Eboue (Midfielder) England U16
- Raul Vancea (Defender) Romania U17
- Amin Nabizada (Forward) England U18
- Nickson Okosun (Forward) Republic of Ireland U19
- Marat Galajevs (Midfielder) Latvia U19
- Gabriel Orteli (Goalkeeper) Cyprus U19; U21
- Kristian Schevchenko (Forward) Ukraine U19
- Ryan Andrews (Defender) England U20
- Rocco Vata (Midfielder) Republic of Ireland U21
Watford Academy Competitions For 2024/25
U17 Professional Development League Cup
The U17 Professional Development League Cup is an English youth football tournament created for players aged 17 and under.
U17 PDL Round of 16
- Lost at home against Bolton Wanderers U17 (4 – 1)
U18 Professional Development League Cup
Established for the 2021/22 season, the Professional Development League Cup features 32 teams divided into eight groups of four.
The group winners advance to the knockout stages.
U18 Professional Development League Cup Group Stage
Watford U18 are drawn in Group F against under-18 teams from Coventry, AFC Wimbledon and Brentford.
- Lost at home against Brentford U18 (3 – 0)
- Drew away against AFC Wimbledon U18 (1 – 1)
- Drew at home against Coventry U18 (1 – 1)
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.
Watford are drawn in Group F against under 21 teams from Ipswich Town, Cardiff City and Everton.
U21 Premier League Cup Group Stage
- Lost away against Everton U21 (2 – 1)
- Jake Watkiss
- Lost at home against Cardiff U21 (2 – 0)
- Won at home against Ipswich U21 (2 – 0)
- Jonathan Lawson (2)
- Lost at home against Everton U21 (1 – 0)
- Lost away against Cardiff U21 (3 – 1)
- Kayky Almeida
- Lost away against Ipswich Town U21 (4 – 2)
- Zak Fraser Grante
- Nickson Okosun
Under-21 Players Released
- George Abbott
- Freddie Buers
- Aidan Coyne
- Zak Fraser-Grante
- Ignacio Garcia-Romero
- Luigi Gaspar
- Alistair Gould
- Prince Sikiru
- Jake Watkiss.
Under-18 Players Released
- Aaron Burton
- Charlie Bolding
- Amani Bowlin
- Josh Riza
- Joel Sala
Watford Academy News
28th September 2024
19-year-old left-sided player Ian Kamga has signed with the club on a contract running until June 2026, with an additional one-year option.
Kamga became a free agent after departing from Stoke City earlier this summer.
7th November 2024
The Under-9s emerged victorious in the Premier League Futsal Powerplay tournament, remaining undefeated across six games and scoring a total of 20 goals.
15th November 2024
In the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup, Watford have been drawn at home to Oxford United.
4th December 2024
Watford secured their spot in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 home victory over Oxford United in the third round.
13th December 2024
Watford will play Crewe Alexandra in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.
10th January 2025
FA Youth Cup 5th Round Draw
16th January 2025
Watford U18s have advanced to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup with a 4-1 victory over Crewe Alexandra.
Amin Nabizada scored twice, while Nickson Okosun and Kash Odiase each added a goal to secure the win.
21st January 2025
Watford have been eliminated from the Under-17s PDL Cup after a 4-1 defeat at home to Bolton in the round of 16.
5th February 2025
Travis Akomeah has rejoined Watford from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee, three years after departing for Stamford Bridge as a 16-year-old.
25th February 2025
Watford have secured a spot in the FA Youth Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Southampton, thanks to goals from Nickson Okosun and Massiah Edwards.
13th March 2025
Watford under-18 FA Youth Cup semi-final tie against Manchester City under-18 will take place on Thursday April 10 at Vicarage Road.
27th March 2025
Broadcast details are set for Watford’s FA Youth Cup semi-final against Manchester City at The Vic on Thursday, April 10 (7pm KO).
The match, along with the other semi-final between Aston Villa and Manchester United on Monday, March 31 (7pm KO), will be streamed live on The FA Player and the Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel.
29th March 2025
18-year-old forward Massiah Edwards made his home league debut for Watford, coming on as a substitute in the match against Plymouth Argyle.
10th April 2025
Watford Under-18s were defeated in the second semi-final of the FA Youth Cup by Manchester City
They fell to a Matty Warhurst’s early strike which proved to be the decisive goal in a hard-fought 1-0 semi-final victory.
23rd April 2025
Watford Under-16s have won the Premier League U16 Professional Development League Cup by beating Charlton Athletic 2-1 in the final.
28th April 2025
Watford Under-18s have secured the play-offs for the first time and will face Burnley Under-18 in the semi-finals.
9th May 2025
Watford Under-18s have booked their place in the play-off final of the U18 Professional Development League with a 2-1 victory over Burnley U18, thanks to goals from Shevchenko and Nabizada.
16th May 2025
Ten-man Watford suffered heartbreak in extra time as Bristol City clinched a 2-1 victory in the PL Under-18 Professional Development League play-off final.
The match took place at Ashton Gate, with the hosts securing the title.