Ten put pen to paper as first year scholars at Luton

Luton Town have announced 10 new additions to the club’s academy with a recent intake of first year scholars.

A club statement on the youngsters who have now all put pen to paper, said: “These additions, overseen by academy manager Paul Benson, will make the step up at The Brache ahead of the 2026/27 season in which Joe Deeney’s U18s will attempt to go one better than last season where the side reached a semi-final in the PDL and a further two finals, narrowly missing out on silverware behind AFC Wimbledon’s historic academy quadruple.”

Goalkeeper Ryan Flynn is on board, with the Hatters’ official website stating: “Riley is an explosive goalkeeper who has been with the academy since the U13s. He is a technical keeper who enjoys making block saves and helping the team build up from the back with his intelligent passing.”

Four defenders are also on board, left back Blake Norton, centre halves Ben Norford and Corey Burton-Green, plus Luke McCulloch, who can also play in midfield too. Describing the quartet, the club continued: “Blake is a quick, agile fullback who is capable of going above and beyond in covering every blade of grass across the left flank while also excelling in using his right foot for passing and delivering.

"Ben is a strong and commanding presence in the heart of the backline, earning his scholarship off the back of excellent and consistent performances for the U16s last season. Corey arrived at the club as an U14 and has progressed into becoming a natural leader, possessing great athleticism alongside his character and will be looking to kick on and progress even further this season. Luke has been with the club since the U9 phase and is comfortable in multiple positions, most naturally in the middle of the park or at the heart of the defence.”

Central midfielder Harrison Dunn and Beau Corcoran-Berkeley are on board, with Luton saying: “Harrison joined the academy as an U14 and has progressed immensely for the U16s, bringing care and attention to detail with his passing while also contributing massively with plenty of goals and assists. Beau performed fantastically all of last season, creating and scoring a number of goals while also managing to contribute to other aspects of the game with his tireless work-rate and willingness to run all day.”

In attack, right winger Femi Fatogun, plus forward pair Josiah Akinfenwa and Alfie Sharp complete the 10, adding: “Coventry-based Femi joined the academy as an U15 and has shown great commitment and desire in that time. He is a direct, skilful wide player with plenty to contribute going forward.

“Josiah is a powerful and mobile central forward who loves nothing more than causing chaos in the opposition box. Josiah proved more than capable when called upon for the U18s last season, including a very well taken goal away to Barnet in the Youth Alliance League. Alfie is a different kind of centre forward with his natural ability to dictate play from deep when deployed as a false-nine. His ability on the ball and instinctive linking up with his teammates will bode well for the upcoming season.”

» The U18s kicked off their Youth Alliance League campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Stevenage at the Brache on Saturday.

The visitors took the lead in the 12th minute following a strike from range, but Luton were level six minutes later, Nassim El Gourja breaking away from two opponents to deliver a wonderful cross into the box, Tatenda Takawira getting free to steer home a terrific header.

After the break, Joe Deeney’s side let the game get away from them with some slack defending, as they needed a wonderful save from Jake Hopper to keep the scores level. Stevenage then hit the woodwork, but they did retake the lead when a long throw wasn’t dealt with, before adding a third in the closing stages.