Fri 17 Jul - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 4mins
Eight Derby County Academy players have signed their first professional contracts with the club ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Six of the Rams' young stars have committed their futures to the club after completing their two-year scholarship, having joined up with the Under-18s squad in the summer of 2024. Meanwhile, Kean Wren and Frankie Jones have also signed on the dotted line, joining the Academy ranks as new signings ahead of the new season – joining from Everton and Sheffield United, respectively.
They will all join up with the Under-21s squad for the new campaign, set to compete in Premier League 2 under the tutelage of Senior Professional Development Coach Danny Maye - as well as the Derby County B Team, which enters its second season playing in the English Central League and Derbyshire Senior Cup competitions.
Introducing the Rams’ 2026/27 intake…
Sean Corry joined Derby as an Under-17s player, having moved from Northern Ireland where he played for Ballinamallard at junior level.
Corry has represented Northern Ireland on several occasions in their national team pathway age groups.
The winger played 14 times in league action for the Under-18s in the 2024/25 season, scoring once and gaining three assists.
He improved that total last season, with 22 appearances, six goals and two assists in Premier League – North for the Under-18s. He also played twice for the Under-21s in PL2.
Alfie Friars linked up with the Rams as an Under-17 player, having spent time with Derry City and Coleraine in his native Northern Ireland, playing for their junior teams.
The central defender gained match minutes in 14 games for the Under-18s in Premier League - North.
Friars has represented Northern Ireland at youth international level, most recently with their Under-17s.
Khace Gordon has been with the Rams since Under-12s level, after making the short move from Burton Albion.
Gordon was Derby’s Academy Player of the Year for the 2023/24 season and played three times for the Under-18s in Premier League - North during the campaign.
The full-back upped his involvement in the 2024/25 campaign with 14 appearances in the Under-18s’ league and one outing in the Premier League Cup.
He made his first PL2 appearance last season, as well as making a further seven outings in the Under-18s’ league.
Israel Green joined the Rams’ Academy at Under-14s level, having impressed in grassroots football.
The forward made his Under-18s debut whilst still aged 15 and was a nominee for the Academy Player of the Year awards for the 2023/24 season.
He featured regularly for the Under-18s in the 2024/25 campaign and also got match time with the Under-21s in the Central League.
He boosted his involvement with the Under-18s last season, scoring 10 goals in 23 league outings for the Under-18s. He also featured a further eight times for the Under-21s in PL2, scoring once.
Midfielder Dantel Hodges has been associated with the Rams’ Academy since Under-9s level and impressed at all age groups.
He was one of only two players to have progressed right through the ranks to sign a scholarship ahead of the 2024/25 season, and he featured 11 times during the campaign, scoring twice. Last season, he made a further 17 league appearances for the Under-18s and made four outings in PL2 for the Under-21s.
One of two new faces at Moor Farm, Jones joins the Rams from Sheffield United, having advanced through the age groups at Bramall Lane to earn his first professional deal last summer.
The 19-year-old, who spent a brief time on loan with Cleethorpes Town at the back end of 2025, primarily operates at left back but offers the versatility to play further forward down the left flank.
He featured home and away against Derby in the Premier League Cup last term, while the Yorkshireman also made a solitary PL2 appearance in black and white during a trial period with Danny Maye’s side in February – playing over an hour in the 1-1 draw with Burnley.
Marley Mintus joined the Academy as an Under-10s player from grassroots football.
He was nominated for the Academy Player of the Year award for the 2023/24 season, and as an Under-16s player, he received competitive minutes for the Under-18s.
The 2024/25 season saw Mintus get 13 matches under his belt for the Under-18s in Premier League - North, as well as featuring in the Premier League Cup and FA Youth Cup.
He continued to impress last season, scoring eight goals in 16 matches for the Under-18s. The attacking midfielder also featured six times for the Under-21s in PL2.
The second of the Under-21’s new arrivals, Kean Wren arrives from Everton, where he progressed through the Toffees’ academy ranks to Under-18 level.
Predominantly a left winger, he scored six times and added four assists in 21 U18 Premier League appearances last term.
His return included a strike on debut for Derby, netting the winner in a 2-1 victory over Wolves during a trial period in April.
The 2026/27 fixture schedule for the Under-21s, Under-18s and B Team will be confirmed and communicated in due course.
