Academy Manager Michael Hamilton is delighted to introduce the young Dons moving up to the Under-18s squad for next season.
They will join last season’s Under-17s to form the Under-18s playing squad for 2021/22.
Michael said: “Every year our aim is to increase the bar set by the group in the season before. Though last season’s Under-18s won the EFL Youth Alliance Cup and took Spurs to extra-time in the FA Youth Cup 4th round, some of the new intake have already represented the club in the London Senior Cup Final. That provided our fans with a little insight into some of the talent we have coming through. That final was just a small step in their journey and though we lost that game it provided invaluable lessons and experience for them.
“There is excitement in the academy for this new intake and they will be led by our talented Under-18s management team – James Oliver Pearce (U18s Head Coach), Jenna Richards (Academy Medicine and Physical Performance Manager) and Liam Connor (Academy Head of Physical Performance).
Below is a brief introduction to each player with quotes from James:
Name: Luka Ziger
Position: Goalkeeper
James said: “Luka has been at the academy since Under-14’s. Luka is an excellent shot stopper and can distribute well with both his hands and his feet.”
Name: Harry Griffiths
Position: Goalkeeper
James said: “Harry has only recently joined the academy. He is calm with his feet and has displayed several of the qualities we look for when profiling a goalkeeper.”
Name: Jola Lahan
Position: Centre back
James said: “Jola is a talented first year centre back who is extremely powerful and demonstrates some excellent leadership qualities. Jola has played several times for the under 18s and even appeared for our Under-23s.”
Name: Ibrahim Bangura
Position: Left-back/ central midfielder
James said: “Ibs is a versatile player that can play as a left back but also as a centre midfielder. Ibs has excellent leadership and loves a tough tackle.”
Name: Charlie Morgan
Position: Central midfielder
James said: “Charlie is a talented under-16 midfielder who recently joined the academy from QPR. Charlie enjoys the defensive side of the game, but he's also very comfortable receiving the ball in tight areas and building through the thirds.”
Name: Hugo Few
Position: Central midfielder
James said: “Hugo has been at the academy since his under 14 season. Hugo is very intelligent and comfortable receiving the ball under pressure and despite his small stature does not shirk competing for second balls or in the tackle.”
Name - Morgan Charles Williams
Position - Number 10
James said: “Morgan is a talented first year who has represented Wales on several occasions. Morgan is an intelligent attacking midfielder that shows good creativity and desire to create and score.”
Name: Paris Lock
Position: Anywhere across the front three
James said: “Paris is a talented first year wide player who can play anywhere across the front three. Paris scored the first ever goal scored for the youth team at Plough Lane in our FA Youth Cup third round tie versus Burnley. Paris loves to attack one v one and show great intensity when pressing out of possession.”
Name: Remi Onabanjo
Position: LW, LB
James said: “Remi can primarily play as a wide midfielder but played as a full back against Tottenham Under-18’s in the FA Youth Cup. Remi is very intelligent and has great tenacity and contributes more than his fair share of goals and assists.”
Name: Aron Sasu
Position: Striker
James said: “Aron is a talented forward who primarily operates centrally. However, he can also play as a wide player as well. Aron has featured regularly for the under 18’s this season and contributed with a high number of goals and assists. Aron has been called up to the Norwegian national squad in the past.”
Name: Reuben Mason
Position: Centre back
James said: “Reuben is a technical centre back who has only recently joined the academy. Reuben has demonstrated a real calmness in his approach to all training sessions and games.”
They will join the following to complete the U18s playing squad:
Aaron Jones, Ben Mason, Ethan Sutcliffe, Josh Hallard, Abdi Ali, Marcel Campbell, David Kawa, Quaine Bartley, Obed Yeboah.