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Getting to that time of year when we start to hear via social media who has been offered and accepted scholarships to become next seasons first year academy. Likely youngsters are :
Aaron Maguire (GK) (E u16, has played for Republic of Ireland)
Adam Hayton (GK)
Jordan Hackett - Valton (CB/LB) (E u16)
Ben Watt (CB) (E u16)
Ferdinand Okoh (CB/DM)
Oliver Turner or Max Hudson (both LB)
Dante Casanova (Mid and FB)
Khalon Haysman (Mid)
Hamed Abdel-Salam (Mid) - But may have left to join Reading
Roshaun Mathurin (winger - like J'Lloyd Bennett)
Renaldo Torraj (Winger) (Albanian u16 ?)
Dane Scarlett (Striker) (E u16)
So that would be an intake of 12 youngsters, not an unusual size.
Hackett, Casanova, Mathurin and Scarlett have all appeared for Spurs u18's so far this season - usually another sign they will be offered a scholarship - and they plus Maguire and Watt are probably the best players in the squad. Worth seeing who else plays u18's before the end of the season
Hackett, Mathurin and Scarlett were also included in Spurs youth UEFA League squad showing the club think they are very good players in their positions,
Tottenham - UYL
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Historically we sometimes lose a couple and gain a couple before the players sign their scholarships.
Charlie Allen will be joining Leeds from Linfield for a rumoured £300k.
Probably realistically has a better pathway to first team football.
Does anyone know of any statistics for clubs whose Academy players have stayed in the game and made a living? I remember Crewe had a good reputation for it.
Excellent news, Cassanova is one of our top 6 prospects in this year group I suspect - joins our top 3 prospects Hackett, Scarlett and Mathurin in joining the Academy, plus probably Jez Davies. So 4 definitely in, and probably 5.
A surprise to many Spurs youth watchers, including me, Ben Watts was not offered a scholarship and has joined Oxford United - thought he was one of the 'next best' potential scholars but still one of he top 6.
Cheers for the news. Know nothing about him but you seem to think he's got potential so that's good.
Lets hop he doesn't get a serious injury or his playing days will be over....
....I'll get me coat
Account following Albanian players claims Renaldo Torraj (winger/no 10) has also signed a scholarship contract (he's been at Spurs for several years), plays for Albanian u16's - would like a 2nd source to verify as the account is unknown.
Football London reporting that Aaron Skinner (CB/DM) has signed a pro contract and will play for development squad next season, the first of the Academy Year 2 lads to sign this summer.
He joined Spurs a year or so ago after the Bury fc closed their academy , and had also played at Bolton Wanderers fc (possibly on a trial after Bury closed).