12 first year scholars sign for 2026/27 season

The latest group consists of several players that have risen up through the system from the pre-Academy, as well as a few more recent additions, as Andrew Surman's Under-18s squad takes shape ahead of the new season.

Almost all of the incoming scholars have already made their debut at Under-18s level for the club, as the youngsters will look to make their mark again now their immediate future is confirmed.

A breakthrough star from last season, Jude Daniels, is no stranger to the Under-18s set up as he made 21 appearances in the 2025/26 campaign.

The striker, who has been at the club since the age of eight, scored six goals and registered one assist last year and describes himself as a "good target player" who is "threatening in front of goal".

Another regular last season for Andrew Surman's side was central midfielder Max Little, who also made 21 appearances in the Under-18s Premier League.

An England youth international at Under-17s level, he scored three goals and contributed four assists, as his journey at the club continues after starting life in the pre-Academy at six years old.

Fellow central midfielder Archie Lovatt made 14 appearances for the Under-18s last season, registering four assists. He has been at the club since the Under-12s age group, after previously playing in Crystal Palace's Academy.

Max Little signs his scholarship contract. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)

With 10 appearances last season, both George Moloney and Kynan Duffy are aiming to kick on in their scholarship years.

Moloney, a goalkeeper with Republic of Ireland youth international experience from Under-15s to Under-18s, even made his Under-21s debut last season against Stoke City in April 2026. He has been with the club for seven years, since the Under-9s age group.

Duffy, a "fast, agile, and direct" winger, signed for Saints two years ago from Slough Town, and made nine of his appearances in the Under-18s Premier League along with an FA Youth Cup debut off the bench.

Centre-back Bobby Martin has been at the club since the Under-8s age group, and made seven appearances for Andrew Surman's side last season. He has also been capped internationally, with 10 appearances for England's Under-16s to his name.

Winger Tyler Lemon has risen through the ranks over nine years after initially being in Chelsea's early age groups; the right winger has seven appearances and two goals to his name at Under-18s level for Saints.

Left back George Robinson is one of the more recent arrivals at the club, having joined four years ago, as he made six appearances for the Under-18s in the previous campaign.

A Welsh youth international at Under-15s and Under-17s level, he cites another Southampton Academy graduate - Gareth Bale - as his footballing idol.

George Robinson signs his scholarship contract. (Photos: Chris Moorhouse)

Left winger Marley Parry has been at the club for nine years, and made five appearances for the Under-18s last season. He describes his playing style as a "skilful, quick" winger, with ambitions to win a trophy with the team during his scholarship years.

Full back George Wells is another recent arrival, after he signed from grassroots level two years ago. He made four appearances for the Under-18s last season, and claims "one-vs-one defending" as his strongest attribute.

Finally, two more shot-stoppers round up the scholarship intake, as Hadley Clark and Adam Brogan complete the goalkeeping union.

Clark has been at the club since the Under-9s age group, and made three appearances last season.

Brogan, who has only ever played for Saints since joining the pre-Academy 11 years ago at just five-years-old, is the only player awaiting his Under-18s debut. He has got youth international experience, however, with an appearance for the Republic of Ireland at Under-15s level.