[Albion] Albion 1st-year scholars for 2019-20

[Uter]

8 goals!

This is despite Switzerland having a man sent off at 35 minutes - Gibraltar's goal was from the resulting penalty...

Seems to have been reduced to 7 according to the UEFA site. Spoilsports.

 

[Uter]

*where the odds actually change is that the Gibraltar players are NOT drawn exclusively from the domestic population...

That might be true at senior level, but results like this (they have lost their last 3 U19 games 14-0, 13-0 and now 16-1) suggest to me that the net for this particular age group has not been cast particularly wide.

Just checked their squad and only one of their players seems to be affiliated to a club outside of Gibraltar so I'd guess most of this group are Gibraltarians by birth.

Your school team analogy seems pretty accurate.

 

[pornomagboy]

Seems to have been reduced to 7 according to the UEFA site. Spoilsports.

seems like it was 8

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[GooGull]

I just love this thread, the progress the academy has made is amazing. It was always a long term project and we are finally beginning to see the rewards.

Hoping to get to Lancing’ on Friday to see the Liverpool game and I’m sure it will be more of an 18/19 side than 23

 

[AZ Gull]

Hoping to get to Lancing’ on Friday to see the Liverpool game and I’m sure it will be more of an 18/19 side than 23

Hopefully you saw the news earlier this week that it has been moved to a 1pm kick-off.

 

[AZ Gull]

Earlier this month Albion U-18s were drawn at home to face Leicester City in the 3rd round of the FA Youth Cup. This is THE tournament at this age level; clubs always play their strongest XIs (which they don't necessarily do in the U-18 Premier League). The likes of Haydon Roberts (who hasn't played at all at this level this season) and Teddy Jenks (who hasn't featured since August) will come back into the side.

The tie has to be played by Saturday December 14 - at the moment it is scheduled (on the official website) on that date at the training ground at 7pm, although I suspect that is only a "placeholder" - the tie will almost certainly be played at the Amex, on a date to be announced.

Please, please, please, Albion, stream this match live so that the few of us with an interest in the youngsters can actually get to see the most promising batch of scholars we have ever had.

 

[AZ Gull]

Antef Tsoungui (CB/RB/LB/CM) - From Belgium, Tsoungui spent a number of years in Chelsea's academy before being released at U-14 level at the end of the 2016-17 campaign. He attended Ifield Community College and was recruited by Albion at U-15 level. Has represented Sussex Schools and is a Belgian U-15 and U-17 international. He made his debut for the Albion U-18s when he started against Fulham in October last year.

Congratulations to Antef Tsoungui who has how signed his first professional contract with the club. He has looked very promising this season when I have seen him, not just at U-18 level but also in his numerous appearances for the development squad.

 

[TottonSeagull]

Congratulations to Antef Tsoungui who has how signed his first professional contract with the club. He has looked very promising this season when I have seen him, not just at U-18 level but also in his numerous appearances for the development squad.

Potter will probably use him a goal keeper!

 

[AZ Gull]

The form of the Albion U-18s has certainly dipped in recent weeks - they have 4 defeats and 1 draw in their last 5 league matches and the only wins they have in their last ten matches in all competitions are the two FA Youth Cup victories against Leicester City and Derby County.

Anyway, they have a strange Friday night fixture today for some reason, and are currently playing at Chelsea (the Blues have just taken the lead, about 25 minutes played).

On a more positive note, Albion U-16 schoolboy Toby Collyer is in the England U-16 squad and started against the USA this evening (as he did in a 4-0 win over Denmark on Wednesday). They will have a third game against Spain.

 

[AZ Gull]

As always top knowledge, be interesting to know what happens. Good to see the u-18s doing really well.

So did we sign him up? Also, do you know what happened to Jordan Araujo - still lists Brighton as his club on twitter but doesn't seem to be on the list (unless I've missed something)

He wasn't named in the PL squad listing document, so it wouldn't appear that he is coming this way. Having said that, transfers of foreign players (even young players) can be a bit of a nightmare. Three years ago we had a free agent (recently moved on from another English club) who played a number of games for the U-18s; Albion were keen to sign him, but there were complications around who owed compensation to the South African club he originally came from (ie, Albion or his previous English club). In the end, he didn't sign for Albion but subsequently moved on to Palace.

Getting back to this lad - he has his 17th birthday in nine days time, which is the earliest a player can sign a professional contract with an English club. I guess there is a chance Albion might be waiting to sign him on a pro contract, rather than initially as a scholar.

Anyway, he is Pedro Paulo Kasanzi Lubamba. He was born in Luanda, Angola and played for GD Interclube. When he was about 10 he moved to Spain with his mother. He played initially for AD Chorrillo for a few months before signing for Real Madrid. He was highly touted and last summer there were media reports that he was training with Southampton. However, he remained in Spain until moving to Benfica in February of this year.

He seems to be on the move again, but where to?

As for Jordan Araujo - he was released by Albion at the end of last season.

Pedro Lubamba

That's the thing with Madrid wonder kids; you wait 100 years for one to come along, and then two rock up in the same decade.

As far as I am aware, young Mr Lubamba is still without a club.

For anyone still on tenterhooks, it would appear that Pedro Paulo Lubamba signed for the Real Zaragoza academy in early February:-

[TWEET]1224630967672999936[/TWEET]

 

[Medwayseagull]

Full list of new scholars on the club web-site.

 

[AZ Gull]

Decent 1-1 draw with Chelsea today sees the Albion U-18s maintain their unbeaten start to the season but drop to second in the table on goal difference (level on points now with new leaders Fulham and third-placed Chelsea).

Albion had former Bury scholar Bobby Copping start at centre-back, will have to see if he has signed or whether this is a trial.

Former Albion trialist Bobby Copping, who played for the U-18s against Chelsea in September 2019 before securing a professional contract with Peteborough, has been forced to retire from the game at the age of 19 after suffering a couple of serious head injuries - Youngster Forced To Retire Following Head Injury

 

[GT49er]

Former Albion trialist Bobby Copping, who played for the U-18s against Chelsea in September 2019 before securing a professional contract with Peteborough, has been forced to retire from the game at the age of 19 after suffering a couple of serious head injuries - Youngster Forced To Retire Following Head Injury

That's a really tough deal for the lad. Hope the rest of his life turns out to be great, whatever he turns to next.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Former Albion trialist Bobby Copping, who played for the U-18s against Chelsea in September 2019 before securing a professional contract with Peteborough, has been forced to retire from the game at the age of 19 after suffering a couple of serious head injuries - Youngster Forced To Retire Following Head Injury

Sad news.

Good luck to him going forward.


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[Change at Barnham]

For anyone still on tenterhooks, it would appear that Pedro Paulo Lubamba signed for the Real Zaragoza academy in early February:-

[TWEET]1224630967672999936[/TWEET]

View attachment 126887

Am I right in thinking this lad is now at Union Saint Gilloise?

Tony and his scouting department must think he remains a decent prospect.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/paulo-lubamba/profil/spieler/786829

 

[AZ Gull]

Am I right in thinking this lad is now at Union Saint Gilloise?

Tony and his scouting department must think he remains a decent prospect.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/paulo-lubamba/profil/spieler/786829

I wasn't aware he'd been on the move again, but yes, it appears he is at RUSG at the moment - Union SG - RFC Seraing: The Selection

 

[ifightbears]

Am I right in thinking this lad is now at Union Saint Gilloise?

Tony and his scouting department must think he remains a decent prospect.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/paulo-lubamba/profil/spieler/786829

AZ Gull levels that, nice!

 

[ifightbears]

Just noted that Antef Tsoungui contract is due to expire at end of season, hope we at least have an option. Wouldn't be surprised if he or Dedoncker end up at Union Gilloise next season given they would need less time to settle.

 

[AZ Gull]

Just noted that Antef Tsoungui contract is due to expire at end of season, hope we at least have an option. Wouldn't be surprised if he or Dedoncker end up at Union Gilloise next season given they would need less time to settle.

Not sure where you have seen that. As far as I am aware, there has been no public reporting of the length of the deal he signed in January 2020. What is your source?

 

[ifightbears]

Not sure where you have seen that. As far as I am aware, there has been no public reporting of the length of the deal he signed in January 2020. What is your source?

https://www.transfermarkt.com/antef-tsoungui/profil/spieler/503858

I assuming by the club announcement on the u23s that this is incorrect though, I was surprised.