First set of new scholars introduced to the Club
- Find out more about nine of Town’s new Academy scholars
- Players introduced to the Club at Monday’s induction evening
- The new Young Terriers will start at the Club on 1 July 2019
Huddersfield Town welcomed nine new Academy scholars to the Club on Monday evening in preparation for the start of the 2019/20 season.
The youngsters will officially begin their scholarships at the beginning of next season but were welcomed to PPG Canalside for their first official induction by Academy Manager Leigh Bromby and his staff.
These players will feature in a bespoke games programme consisting of EFL Youth Alliance fixtures against Under-18 sides, supplemented by matches and tournaments arranged by the Club.
Eight scholars attended the evening, with the ninth – Robson Shipley – on duty for Wales’ Under-16 side in an U17 Development Tournament in Bulgaria.
Academy Manager Leigh Bromby told htafc.com:
“The Academy was delighted to welcome the new scholars and their families to the training ground on Monday evening and give them an insight on what to expect when they arrive here in the summer.
“There’s obviously a focus on football, but we also want the players to understand how important the educational element of their scholarship is. They’re coming here to learn. Behaviours off-the-field are just as important as the football on it.
“Every scholar should be proud of what they’ve achieved to reach this stage but as I told them last night, the hard work starts now!”
Leigh added:
“A lot of work has gone into the recruitment of this group of players, led by our Academy Head of Recruitment Emyr Humphreys. There will be more players added to this group ahead of the season, so the hard work continues.
“Every player has qualities that fit the Club’s style of play and we’re excited to work with them from 1 July.”
Find out a little more about the players below!
Darnel Baxter-Alleyne
Central Midfielder
Born 23 October 2002 in Roehampton, London
Previous clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Leyton Orient
Loick Ayina
Central Defender
Born 20 April 2003 in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo; now based in Montmorency, Paris, France
Previous clubs: ESTAC Troyes, Sarcelles AAS
Luke Billam
Left Winger
Born 9 January 2003 in Hull
Previous clubs: North Ferriby United, Hull City
Myles Bright
Right Winger
Born 18 October 2002 in Catford, London
Previous club: Lambeth Tigers
Brahima Diarra
Central Midfielder
Born 5 July 2003 in Ivry-sur-Seine, Paris, France
Previous clubs: Montrouge, AC Boulogne-Billancourt
Ernaldo Krasniqi
Central Defender
Born 25 February 2003 in London
Previous club: Crown Pro Elite Academy, London
Ben Midgley
Central Midfielder
Born 14 June 2003 in Mirfield
Previous club: Blackburn Rovers
Josh Okpolokpo
Central Defender
Born 31 March 2003 in Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Previous clubs: Cherry Orchard, Ipswich Town
Robson Shipley
Striker/Winger
Born 24 July 2003 in Preston
Previous clubs: Newcastle United, Middlesbrough
