Ipswich Town introduced 14 new full-time scholars ahead of the 2026/27 season. (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town introduced 14 new full-time scholars ahead of the 2026/27 season. (Image: Ross Halls)
Ipswich Town U18s season is fully underway, with plenty of new academy scholars to introduce. Ross Halls takes a look at who they are...
A total of 14 players became full-time academy players at Portman Road this summer, signing two-year scholarships with the Blues.
Jimmy Smith and Mark Robinson's side have won three of their opening six games in the U18 Premier League South, losing the other three. They currently sit ninth of 16 teams in the table.
Let's take a look at the new group...
Ruben Wreford has been a familiar name in the U18s squads in the past few seasons.
(Image: Ross Halls)
Ruben Wreford
The Essex born goalkeeper joined the Blues in January 2023, having played grassroots football and made his U18s debut as a schoolboy player last season.
Wreford, who has featured on the bench for the U21s, took part in an England goalkeepers’ camp at St George’s Park in April last year.
Riley-Jo Barry has impressed on the right hand side. (Image: Ross Halls)
Riley-Jo Barry
The Romford born full-back has been at the club since August 2025, joining from Essex non-league side Bowers & Pitsea.
Barry made his U21s debut this season, playing the full 90 minutes in the 4-2 win at Bromley in the Premier League Cup.
Pedro Felicio is a versatile player. (Image: Ross Halls)
Pedro Felicio
The centre-back is one many of the players in this list that joined the Blues from the Tottenham Hotspurs' academy set-up, signing for Town in November 2024.
Felicio is eligible to play for England, Brazil and Italy at international level.
Praise Adebayo featured for Ipswich Town U18s last season.
(Image: Ross Halls)
Praise Adebayo
The Dublin born full-back has been at the club since U13 level, joining the Blues from Southend-based Leigh Ramblers in 2022.
Adebayo is the younger brother of former academy forward Afi Adebayo, who was released at the end of last season. His sister Faith recently made the bench for Ipswich Town Women for their Players Cup clash with WSL side London City Lionesses.
Daniel Ologho is a flying full-back. (Image: Ross Halls)
Daniel Ologho
The East Londoner had spells at Leyton Orient and Spurs' academies, before joining Town last December.
Ologho, who is a left-back, can play for England, Spain and Nigeria at international level.
Benji Buskell was born in the USA. (Image: Ross Halls)
Benji Buskell
The hard-working midfielder came to Town on trial at U14 level, before signing at U15 level from Norfolk non-league side Wroxham EJA in September 2024.
Buskwell was born in Massachusetts in America, so is eligible to play for England and the USA at international level.
Callum Stewart has scored twice for the Ipswich Town U18s this season.
(Image: Ross Halls)
Callum Stewart
The midfielder is another player previously with Spurs' youth set-up until joining the Blues in November 2025. He also had a spell at Southend United.
Stewart, who netted in back-to-back to PL2 games last month, can play for England and Scotland at international level.
George Conneely brings attacking flair to this side. (Image: Ross Halls)
George Conneely
The London born midfielder has been at the club since November 2021, having previously been at West Ham United.
Conneely, who captained Town's U16s last campaign, can play for England and Northern Ireland at international level.
Ibrahim Msabah can play multiple positions. (Image: Ross Halls)
Ibrahim Msabah
The Romford born midfielder was brought into the academy set-up from the club’s development programme in January 2023.
Msabah is eligible to play for England, Senegal, Tanzania and Rwanda at international level.
James Brentnall has impressed for Ipswich Town U18s this season.
(Image: Ross Halls)
James Brentnall
The Essex-born midfielder has been at Town since U9 level, joining the club in October 2018.
Brentnall was the only U16 player to feature for the U18s in the FA Youth Cup last season, coming off the bench in the win over Sheffield United. He can play for England and Scotland at international level.
Freddie Ambrose, pictured playing for Ipswich Town U18s.
(Image: Ross Halls)
Freddie Ambrose
The versatile forward joined Town last season, having previously been at Tottenham's academy.
Ambrose, who is no relation to former midfielder Darren, can play for England, Ireland and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines at international level.
Reuben Carr in action for Ipswich Town U18s. (Image: Ross Halls)
Reuben Carr
The forward has been at the Town since February 2025, joining from Parks Academy FC, a grassroots football club based in North London.
Carr, who is an electric winger, is eligible to play for England and Jamaica at international level.
Joel Ladegbaye featured regularly for Ipswich Town U18s in the second half of last campaign.
(Image: Ross Halls)
Joel Ladegbaye
The versatile forward moved to Town in May 2022, having previously been playing grassroots football at Triangoals Youth Club in East London.
Ladegbaye featured and scored for Town U18s in the second half of 2025/26.
Toks Olakazim netted for Ipswich Town U18s in their 6-2 win over AFC Bournemouth in August.
(Image: Ross Halls)
Toks Olakazim
The forward has been with the club since October last year, having previously been playing grassroots football and had trials at Wolves, Crystal Palace and Millwall.
Olakazim, who was born in Portugal, featured and scored for the Town U18s last campaign.