It's Youth Development Week and to mark an important point in the football calendar, by celebrating the good work undertaken by academies up and down the country, we are delighted to confirm and congratulate the new intake of 10 players who have signed contracts in the Academy.

Under-18s boss Joe Deeney guides us through the new boys for the upcoming campaign.

Good luck, boys!

Nassim El-Gourja

Nassim is a first-year scholar from West Kensington, London. Nassim joined the club as an Under-8. Nassim is an attacking midfielder capable of playing wide and also as a box-to-box midfielder. Nassim is technically very good. Nassim had a total of 27 goal involvements as an Under-16.

Luca Knote-Reed

Luca is a first-year scholar from Bedford who joined the club as an Under-8. Luca is a centre midfielder who has excellent composure in possession and plays the game with very good 360-degree awareness. Capable of playing as both a deep-lying midfielder and as a box-to-box midfielder.

Alvin Isufi

Albanian midfielder who joined the Hatters this summer following a successive trial. Alvin has previously been on the books at Watford.

Kyrese Richards

First-year scholar from Milton Keynes who earned himself a scholarship after impressing during a pre-season trial. Right sided defender who is quick and athletic and capable of playing as a right-back, right-wingback or right- sided centre-half. A very good communicator with excellent potential and one we are pleased to have signed.

Rufus Barnes

First-year scholar from Steeple Claydon who was signed as an Under-14. Rufus is a right-footed centre back. Rufus is a tough-tackling, aerially dominant defender. Strong, brave and courageous Rufus enjoys defending, making blocks and keeping the ball out of the net.

Dawid Gawel

Born in Swiebodzin, Poland, Dawid recently signed from Everton in July 2025. First-year scholar Dawid is a strong, powerful centre forward with a good eye for goal. Dawid holds the ball up well and is capable of scoring a variety of goals with both feet and provides an aerial threat in the opposition box.

Excel Ed-Okungbowa

First-year scholar from Hatfield who joined the club in November 2022. Excel is a strong, powerful left-footed centre forward. Excel scored over 25 goals during his Under-16 season and provides a real threat on the last defensive line.

Kai Source

Left-sided defensive player who has joined the Hatters as an under-19 following a successful trial period. Previously with Reading, Kai will feature this season for the Hatters' Under-21 squad.

Jerome Passley-James

First-year scholar Jerome signed as an Under-15 for the club. Jerome is from Lambeth and is a high-energy central midfielder. He is quick, mobile and a tough-tackling midfielder who excels in terms of midfield regains. Jerome is able to play as both a defensive midfielder and also a box-to-box midfielder.

Luke Takawira

First-year scholar who joined as an Under-8 from Luton. Capable of playing on either side as both a winger and full back, Luke has high energy with and without the ball with a low centre of gravity. This makes him exciting in 1v1 attacking and defending situations.

Everyone at Luton Town wishes you all the very best of luck at Kenilworth Road.