Ahead of the 2019/20 campaign, it isn’t only Mark Robins who has been busy in the transfer window, as the Academy unveil their latest recruits.
Following the end of last season, the under 18s have offered deals to twelve players, who will join the Sky Blues as first year scholars.
Whether they’ve been with the club since they were seven years old or sixteen years old, the Sky Blues will have fresh faces in their U18 Professional Development League campaign.
Here’s a run down on the latest recruits to join the set-up:
Adam Taylor – Adam is a defender, who is predominately a right-back and joined the Sky Blues at under 15 as a schoolboy having previously been at West Bromwich Albion’s Academy in his younger years.
Alexander Costa – A centre midfielder who is a veteran at the Alan Higgs, having been with the Sky Blues since he was eight years old. Alex is a local lad and will be looking to make his presence known in midfield this season.
George Burroughs – Another lad who has been with the Sky Blues for almost ten years, having joined at just seven years old. George is a central defender and supporters maybe familiar with his older brother Jack, who represents the Sky Blues.
Harrison Nee – Harrison joined the Sky Blues almost six years ago, starting his time in the Academy at under 11 level. The striker joined City originally from local football in the area and he will be looking to add goals to the side this season.
Hayden Purves – Having joined originally aged 14 years-old, Hayden is an exciting winger who is equipped with pace and power. Hayden will hope to provide the service for strikers as well as chipping in with a few himself.
Joseph Nightingale – Joe has had a different path to most since joining the Sky Blues at under 9 level almost eight years ago. The now winger originally began his time in the Academy as a goalkeeper, but he is now looking to score goals and not stop them.
Kai Forsyth – Following his departure from now Premier League side Sheffield United last year, Kai Forsyth joined the Sky Blues at under 16 level. Now, Forsyth begins his journey with the under 18s as a central defender.
Keelan Fallows – A local lad born and bred in Coventry, Keelan has been with the club since under 13 level. Fallows joined the Sky Blues from local football and will look to battle it out for the number one shirt next season.
Matthew Harland – Matty joined the Sky Blues at under 16 level along with one or two other lads in the under 18s for next season. Hartland has an eye for a pass and will look to add a creative spark in the centre of midfield.
Sam Pitts-Eckersall – Sam has had a different path to most upon joining the Sky Blues as he was part of the Sky Blues in the Community scheme originally before being signed up to the Academy. Having joined aged 14 the centre midfielder takes the next step on his journey in the upcoming season.
Thai Duggan – Similar to Kai Forsyth, Thai joined City at under 16 level following his departure from Championship side Nottingham Forest. Duggan is a big and powerful striker who looks to play as a target man when situated up top.
William Bapaga – The attacker has been with the Sky Blues since under 13 level and is an exciting talent who has had a taste of first team football with Mark Robins in pre-season, joining City on the pre-season tour to Alicante.
These lads will join five of the other players in the under 18s for next season, as they enter their second year.
Cian Tyler, Blaine Rowe, Dan Lafferty, Jonny Ngandu and Callum Martin join the twelve latest recruits to the under 18s for the 2019/20 season.
Following the acquisition of the latest intake of scholars, Academy Manager, Richard Stevens had this to say:
“A new intake always brings exciting times and particularly as we have a large group who have been with us for a significant amount of time.
“This nucleus of players will be enhanced by a group of players joining from other clubs and hopefully together they will develop into a group that can push each other.
The season will be a really good test for the group as we will be young given the number of first years we have and also the fact that a number of the second years will be pushing for Under 23s football throughout the season.
“Being young will bring its challenges but we will certainly give the players great exposure as they head into their second years a year from now.
“It will also give a group of players in the under 16 age group the chance to play up and being around the older age groups really can make a difference so long as we manager it correctly and give them what they need in terms of their personal development.
“I have been delighted with pre-season so far and the introduction of Karl Hooper who is working with Andy Whing in the PDP phase has been a real positive for the environment.
“Our aim for the season of course is to be competitive and show a winning mentality but more importantly is to develop individuals capable of growing a career in the game longer term.”