Ipswich Town U21s season is well underway, with the team winning two on the trot - so Ross Halls takes a look at the squad and finds out who they are....
HENRY GRAY - GOALKEEPER
The 18-year-old signed a two-year professional deal with the Blues this summer following a trial last season, joining from New Zealand Central League outfit Waterside Karori, having previously played for A-League side Wellington Phoenix.
He was born in Monchengladbach, Germany, but is a New Zealand U20 international, representing the All Whites at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16 in May.
Gray won the Golden Gloves award at the 2022 Oceania Football Confederation U19 Championships as New Zealand, the defending champions, won the competition for the eighth time.
WOODY WILLIAMSON - GOALKEEPER
The 17-year-old signed his first professional deal at the club in the summer, after being rewarded for his impressive performances in last season's FA Youth Cup.
He was previously at Arsenal’s academy, before he joined the Blues as a schoolboy in the summer of 2020. He has since played regularly for the U21s and been involved in first-team warm-ups.
Williamson has won caps for Scotland at U19s level, after picking up a cap at U18s level last season.
EDWIN AGBAJE - DEFENDER
The 19-year-old was named Town’s Academy Player of the Year last term, having captained the U21s side and made his first two senior appearances for the Blues during 2022/23.
He joined Town from Shamrock Rovers in 2020 and played a key role in the Blues' run to the FA Youth Cup semi-final in 2020/21.
The athletic right-back suffered an ankly injury last season during his loan at Yeovil Town, making 10 appearances for the Glovers before having surgery. He's now on the road to recovery.
MICHAEL LAVIN - DEFENDER
The Irishman joined Town from Sligo Rovers on January transfer deadline day this year, among three other players.
He joined Rovers from Ballymote Celtic in 2018 and played for them since the U15s, also captaining the side.
Lavin who is a tenacious right-back, has been involved in a Republic of Ireland U18s training camp squad and has a older brother Jack who captained the Sligo Under 20s to Connacht glory in 2022.
JACOB MAZIONIS
The 17-year-old signed a professional deal with the Blues in May, following a trial last season, having played for Thurlow Nunn League First Division South Enfield Borough.
He previously spent time on the books at West Ham United and Arsenal, while also being with the London-based Kinetic Foundation.
The defender represented Lithuania’s U17s at the Baltic Cup in Finland last summer, having previously won caps at U16 level.
AYYUBA JAMBANG - DEFENDER
The 18-year-old joined Town after a trial last month, having spent last season with Reading after being at Norwich City youth set-up, before joining the Royals last summer.
He was on trial throughout pre-season, before signing for the Blues and made his official U21s debut in the 3-0 win over Coventry City this month.
Jambang, who is a full-back, will be well known to Town academy manager Dean Wright and other members of his backroom staff from their time working with the Canaries.
DANIEL O'CONNOR - DEFENDER
The Irishman joined Town from Galway United on the January transfer deadline day this year, among three other players.
He was their academy player of the year in 2022, having joined from Mervue United at the start of last season, and came on trial to Town in November last year.
O’Connor is a 6ft 4ins left footed centre back, who attracted interest from Premier League, Championship and League One clubs, before signing for Town.
BARBOOK TWINS - DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER
Finley and Harry Barbook have been at Town since the age of 6, and signed their first professional deals with the club in March.
The 18-year-olds were key players in the U18s’ FA Youth Cup run which took them to the quarter-finals last season and also featured for the U21s.
Finley, who currently captains the U21s side, is a box-to-box midfielder, while Harry is a left-back, but can also play at centre-back and both have big futures ahead of them.
EMMANUEL OKUNOWO - MIDFIELDER
The 17-year-old signed his first professional contract with the Blues in December last year, having been at the club since the age of eight.
He was involved with Town U16s since he was an U14 and has featured for the U18s in the past two season.
Okunowo is a defensive midfielde, composed on the ball but also possessing physical attributes and is another young player stepping up to the U21s side this season.
RYAN CARR - MIDFIELDER
The soon to be 19-year-old joined Town from Carlisle United on the January transfer deadline day this year for an undisclosed fee.
He made one senior appearance for the Cumbrians in a EFL trophy tie with Fleetwood, having spent time at Newcastle United from the U11s to U16s.
Carr is a combative central midfielder, who was involved with the first team on a number of occasions in pre-season.
BEN HADDOCH - MIDFIELDER
The 18-year-old joined Town following a trial last summer, signing from Bury Town on a professional deal.
He was previously at Colchester United since under-8s, but was released after he wasn't offered a scholarship which resulted in him signing for the Suffolk side.
Haddoch is a centre midfielder but can also operate as a right-back and is likely to feature for both the U18s and U21s this campaign.
OSMAN FOYO - MIDFIELDER
The 18-year-old joined Town from Norwich City in January this year, having spent time with the Blues on a work experince loan from the Canaries. He netted the winner for the Blues’ U18s as they came from 2-0 down to beat Huddersfield 3-2 in the FA Youth Cup last season.
He was with Chelsea academy prior to his time with Norwich and is known to Town academy manager Dean Wright who signed him as a schoolboy.
Foyo is a attacking midfielder who featured for the Blues first-team in the pre-season against Stevenage and looks to be a mainstay in the U21s side this season.
TOM TAYLOR - MIDFIELDER
The 17-year-old has been at Town since the age of 10, becoming a schoolboy player.
He became a full academy player last summer, signing a two-year scholarship, and has been a regular for the U18s in the past two seasons.
Taylor is an intelligent midfielder, who can play all across the midfield or up front, and has progressed into the U21s this season.
MATT WARD - FORWARD
The 20-year-old joined Town from Wroxham in 2020, before signing a professional contract with the club in the summer of 2021.
He made his first-team debut last season as a substitute in the FA Cup tie against Buxton, while having a loan spell at League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City, where he scored one goal in four games.
Ward can play right-wing or upfront has made one senior appearance for the Blues, as a sub in the FA Cup tie against Buxton last season, He will likely be a mainstay for the U21s this season.
NICO VALENTINE - FORWARD
The 18-year-old signed his first professional deal with the club, a three-year contract in October last year, having been at the club since the U8s.
He has progressed through the age groups, and became a full academy player in the summer of 2021, where he helped the U18s win the Professional Development League Cup and scored goals in the FA Youth Cup runs.
Valentine is a pacy forward who can play anywhere across the front three and is now a mainstay in the U21s, while also featuring for Town first team in pre-season. .
GERRARD BUABO - FORWARD
The 18-year-old signed his first professional deal with the club, a three-year contract, in November last year, having joined Town as an U16 in early 2021.
He was part of the U18s side that got to the FA Youth Cup semi-final in 2020/21, before he progressed to feature regularly for the U21s.
Buabo is a physical centre forward who made his senior debut for Town as a sub in the EFL trophy tie against Arsenal’s U21s last season, while spending time on loan at Bury Town. He is now working his way back from injury set backs.
LEON AYINDE - FORWARD
The Irishman joined Town from Cork City on the January transfer deadline day this year, among three other players.
He joined City as an U15 in 2019 from St. Mary’s in 2019 and progressed through their academy up to Under 19 level, while also being named in a Republic of Ireland U17 squad for a training camp.
Ayinde is a box-to-box midfielder, who is quick, strong and has an eye for goal, while he was involved with the first team on a number of occasions in pre-season.
RIO OUDNIE-MORGAN - FORWARD
The 17-year-old signed his first professional deal with the club in January this year, having joined the club as a scholar in 2021.
He went on score a few goals for the U18s’ FA Youth Cup run which took them to the quarter-finals last season, while he has won caps for Northern Ireland at U17, U18 and U19 level.
Morgan can play anywhere in the front three and was involved with the first team on a number of occasions in pre-season.
JESSE NWABUEZE - FORWARD
The soon to be 20-year-old signed his first professional deal with the club last summer, having joined the club in 2020 after leaving Crystal Palace.
He helped the U18s win the Professional Development League Cup and was part of the U18s side that got to the FA Youth Cup semi-final in 2020/21, while he featured for the Blues first team during the 2021/22 pre-season and featured regularly for the U21s last season.
Nwabueze is winger who has spent time out on loan with Suffolk non-league sides Bury Town, Stowmarket and Felixstowe & Walton United. He is now working his way back from injury having gone under the surgeon's knife at the end of last season.
OLLY DAVIS - FORWARD
The 17-year-old has been at Town since the age of 7, while also being at Cambridge United and West Ham pre academy, but choosing to play for Ipswich.
He became a full academy player last summer, signing a two-year scholarship, and has been a regular for the U18s in the past two seasons.
Davis is a centre forward who can both link up play and get in behind a defence, while he has a eye for goal scoring regulary for the U18s and progressed to the U21s this season.
YOUNG BLUES ON LOAN
Town have also got a few players out on loan who feature for the U21s which include defender Cameron Stewart, who is at Cove Rangers in Scottish League One, while midfielders Jack Manly and Zak Bradshaw are playing for Leiston and Woking respectively.
Forward Finlay Corrigan is playing for Hemel Hemstead Town in the National League South and goalkeeper Danny Callum is at Suffolk non-league side Bury Town.
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