Not to be regrettably. The lads went down 2-0 to a stronger Man United side. And despite fighting hard then lost 3-2 to Hanover for a runner up spot. For such a young side 4th Place in a very competitive tournament is no mean feat though.
Luca Ashby-Hammond is in the England U17 squad for a tournament later this month in Portugal, and as preparation for the summer Euro Finals. Well deserved after standing in for big brother and having some cracking games for our U23s. please log in to view this image Source: http://www.thefa.com/news/2018/feb/02/england-u17s-squad-set-for-algarve-tournament-020218
Currently on loan to Rotherham, who are going great guns at the moment, Marek Rodak has signed a new 2 year deal. Believe he's the first of our players out of contract in the summer to sign up and this keeps our young goalie here until 2020. please log in to view this image
I rate Rodak highly, I think he's got better potential than Betts at that age. No doubt he'll be playing against us in a year or two.
Bit under the radar, probably because England don't permit/encourage any media activity around the younger teams, but Fabio Carvalho is in the U16 squad currently playing a series of friendlies at St Georges. please log in to view this image Don't know whether of not our new 'goal machine' took part in that 2-0 win over Denmark on Tuesday but he's bound to get game time at some point. Quite an achievement already for the youngster.
Like the look of the youngster,another great prospect. The problem with the players from the premiership clubs is they will get very little game time at a higher level unless they move on, hope our scouts are keeping a watchful eye on them.
Another goalie, Magnus Norman this time, has signed a new deal. Quite short though - only till summer 2019 with a one year option. please log in to view this image The 21 year old has been with the Club since the age of 9 and it's a wee bit of a misnomer to include him in the Academy Watch. These days he's pretty much full time with main squad.
When looking for the FFP stuff that SuperBri mentioned in the Finances thread, came across this: From next season, EFL sides will have to name at least one player developed by their academy in every team sheet Obviously won't apply to us, but believe that's an excellent move.
Marlon Fossey and Aron Davies have signed new deals. please log in to view this image The athletic Fossey has had an unfortunate season, missing most of it with a serious injury last summer. He's signed until 2020 with the Club having a further year option, which is good since the potential is definitely there. U23 captain Davies' deal is shorter, until 2019 but again with a 1 year Club option. Now aged 20 that gives Aron time to show if he can make the grade.
Great news. Our pocket goal scoring machine Cameron Thompson has signed his first professional contract with the Club until the summer of 2020. please log in to view this image The 18 year old in another "one of our own" having joined at age 11. This season he scored 9 in 9 with the U18s before being promoted to the U23s. He bagged another 2 for them but an injury then kept him out until the last games of the season. Goodness knows how many he would have got but for that.
Amid all the excitement of the build up to yesterday Tayo Edun was having a trial for Portland Timbers in a mid week friendly against Hamburg side St Pauli. Just turned 20 on 14th May, Tayo is at a bit of a crossroads at the Club, made more difficult for him with us getting promoted. The defensive midfielder has talent in abundance - England Youth International at every level from U17 upwards, including a star player of the U19 Euro winning team last year, and a couple of Fulham first team cameo appearances. But ... fear he's not going to make the cut with the Club. Suspect he won't be alone, with a fair few of the current U23/U21 players moving on.
Luca Ashby-Hammond has been named in the UEFA team from the Euro U17 Championships. Luca was picked out of six shortlisted goalkeepers by UEFA’s panel of experts. He conceded just two goals in five games as England reached the semi-finals. http://www.uefa.com/under17/news/newsid=2563182.html?iv=true Now 17, he's come through our Academy system having joined at the age of 9 and though obviously highly rated he'll need to keep an eye over his shoulder for younger brother Taye, who is also on the books.