Brentford will reopen their academy after premier league the clubs voted a rule that says every member must operate one by the start of the 2024-25 season. The new youth development regulations were agreed last month by the clubs at the league’s annual general meeting and Brentford are taking steps to ensure they stick to them.
Brentford controversially closed its Grade 2 academy in 2016 on the grounds that running costs of around £2m a year meant it amounted to bad business. Their move to a B team model, which develops players aged 17-21 and has its own game schedule, has been very successful. Their previous structure was also exploited by elite clubs who signed their best youngsters on the cheap.
Brentford are keen to continue with their B team and although it is unclear when they will relaunch their academy, they plan to adhere to league rules, which state that top clubs must operate a category three academy of here the start of the 2024-25 season. country. Further details of changes to youth development rules are expected this year as part of an ongoing review of the elite player performance plan, introduced in 2012 with the aim of producing more improved homegrown players.
More than 20 Brentford B-team players have moved to the first team, including Marcus Forss and Mads Roerslev. Huddersfield and Wycombe have since set up productive B teams.
Chris Mepham was Brentford B’s most notable success, sold to Bournemouth for £12million in 2019. Last summer they signed Daniel Oyegoke from Arsenal and Matthew Cox, who recently helped England from Under 19 to win the European Championship title, AFC Wimbledon. As it stands, Cox will start the season as an understudy for first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.
#Brentford #reopen #academy #Premier #League #rule #change