Man City departure confirmed as player’s dad reveals club contract decision
The latest Manchester City academy news as a youngster’s exit from the Etihad has been confirmed – by his dad.
Manchester City’s forgettable under-23 season came to an end this week when the Elite Development Squad were beaten 3-0 at Reading to finish 23rd in the revamped 26-team Premier League 2.
After winning the previous format of the competition for three years running, City took just 18 points from 20 games in the new ‘Swiss model’ of the division and conceded 50 goals in the process.
Mitigation for their struggles has been the number of player sales last summer, first team call-ups this term, and also a significant amount of injuries. Down in the under-18s, the disappointment of losing the under-18 Premier League final at Manchester United must be put to one side ahead of next week’s FA Youth Cup final at home to Leeds. Here is the latest academy news – including confirmation of one player’s exit from the CFA.
Adam to leave City next month
Midfielder Josh Adam will depart City at the end of his contract on June 30, with the news revealed by his father on social media. Ahead of that Reading defeat, Adam’s dad Allan posted: “Good luck today son in your last game for Man City. Been a quick four years.”
MEN Sport understands the decision has been taken not to renew Adam’s contract, and the 20-year-old will become a free agent this summer, reportedly already attracting interest from Europe. Signed from Celtic in 2020, Adam’s appearance against Reading was his 99th for City between under-18 and under-21 levels, scoring 18 goals and adding 12 assists.
The Scotland under-21 international had played 24 times this season for the Elite Development Squad, featuring in the UEFA Youth League and EFL Trophy from midfield. He will leave having won two under-18 Premier League titles and two Premier League 2 titles, and is the first confirmed departure from the Etihad this summer.
Adam is still playing an important role around the CFA, however, as he was added to senior training on Wednesday to boost numbers in Pep Guardiola’s group.
Doyle tastes success after play-off heartbreak
It seems that signing Callum Doyle is as close to a guarantee of promotion as you can get these days. He helped Sunderland finally get out of League One after a productive season-long loan in 2022, before guiding Coventry all the way to the Championship play-off final last season, only missing out to Luton on penalties.
This term, he was snapped up by former City assistant Enzo Maresca to help get Leicester back into the Premier League at the first attempt, and he banished memories of last season’s heartbreak by playing a role in the Foxes title-winning season this term. Leicester confirmed themselves as Champions this week, giving Doyle a second promotion in three seasons playing professionally. He will surely be in demand next term, and will hope to make the step up to the Premier League after proving himself in the Championship.
It is not only Doyle who has experienced success this season, with Alexander Robertson winning the League One title with Portsmouth. Robertson suffered a bad injury midway through the season, but was impressing before that, and a decision will now be made over his City future with the Australian international out of contract this summer.
Taylor Harwood-Bellis, on loan at Southampton, will have to go through the Championship play-offs after Saints’ automatic promotion hopes were ended. If he helps them back into the top flight, City will be entitled to £15m with an obligation to buy Harwood-Bellis included in the loan deal.
Leeds allocation extended for Youth Cup final
Leeds have sold out their 5,000 allocation for next week’s FA Youth Cup final, and have been given an extra 1,500 tickets to take their allocation up to 6,500 in the South Stand lower tier. Home fans who usually sit in the South Stand have been encouraged to purchase tickets in Block 140 instead, with fan group 1894 aiming to create an atmosphere to help the under-18s land the prestigious trophy.
City have not confirmed how many tickets have been sold in the home end, with prices set at just £3 for season ticket members and Cityzen Matchday members. General sale for adults is £5 with all concessions priced at £1 for the final on Friday May 10, kick-off 7pm.
City gave themselves a useful advantage ahead of the final, beating Leeds 4-1 away from home in the league this week to head into the showpiece full of confidence.
Andy’s Man Club to begin at the Etihad this month
Away from the academy, City’s opening of an Andy’s Man Club group at the Etihad Stadium will begin on Monday May 13. The landmark group – the first in East Manchester – will offer supporters and non-supporters the chance to ‘create positive change in their mental health.’
The free sessions will begin on May 13 between 7pm and 9pm in the East Stand of the Etihad, with attendees asked to arrive from 6.30pm. Andy man or individual identifying as a male over the age of 18 can attend and there is no requirement to be a Season Ticket Member or holder of a Cityzens Official Membership to attend.
Sessions will then take place on May 20, June 3 and June 10 at the same times for the first month. City fan Omar, who have received help from the men’s peer support group, said: “I am here on a Monday because this combines two of the things that I love most in the world, Man City and Andy’s Man Club. Andy’s Man Club is one of the best things I’ve ever done, its really helped me with my mental health.”
Fellow supporter Martyn added: “So many people are invested in the sport of football. For City to get behind the message that mental health is important, you know to help people in general – its fantastic, absolutely fantastic.”
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