This week celebrates EFL Youth Development Week, showcasing work from clubs across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two in developing academy talent.
Youth Development Week is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the impact that the EFL, its clubs and its competitions have on developing some of the best young players in the game.
Leeds United have had a long-standing history with Academy talents progressing into the first-team squad and beyond.
Last campaign, the Whites’ Under-18s side reached the final of the prestigious FA Youth Cup, signalling that the future continues to be bright at Elland Road.
One of the players involved at the Etihad was attacking midfielder Sam Chambers. Aged 17, the Scotland youth international then made his Sky Bet Championship debut as a substitute in the 3-0 home victory over Plymouth Argyle earlier this term.
A full home debut then followed in the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round where Chambers started and impressed against Millwall at Elland Road, before signing a new long-term contract as he turned 18.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on a new deal, the midfielder told LUTV about the progress he has made and how he has found making the step up from the Under-21s squad.
“I am delighted, really,” he explained. “Obviously, you work hard and this is just a good reward to end a good season. It makes me feel really proud, especially supporting Leeds growing up. To play for them is a really big thing. So, yeah, I just want to keep pushing and keep getting new milestones with the club.
“Obviously, being around the first team environment, training, getting in the squad and getting minutes when I can and then also playing in the Under-21s games. It is a good balance with the two squads.
“When you are growing up, it is more about the technical, tactical side of the game. But obviously, coming into a men’s environment now, it is more about the physicality and preparation for games. That is what I have found. Obviously, looking at real professionals and how they act before games, it is a good learning curve.”
The League supports clubs to develop young talent, ensuring they reach their full potential and supporting them to be better players and people, and to succeed both on and off the pitch.
The EFL is fully committed to an Academy system that offers a holistic, life-enriching experience for all players and, by working in partnership with League Football Education (LFE), the League is ensuring Academies and their players are fully supported on and off the pitch. This includes the opportunity for players to benefit from academic qualifications, mentoring and education on key life skills.
In the 2023/24 season, Academy-developed players contributed more than 300,000 minutes on the pitch, which is more than 9 per cent of total game play. That is equivalent to every club having one Academy-developed player on the pitch for the full 90 minutes of all 46 regular League games.
