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How Premier League Futures programme is helping former academy prospects

The Guardian Sport Tuesday 28 July 2026, 07:00 UTC By Ed Aarons 1 min read
Key Points

In six months Iyiola Adebayo went from captaining West Ham youth teams to delivering pizzas but he has found a new direction“Within six months of being the captain at West Ham and playing in the Youth Cup, I was delivery driving at Domino’s,” says Iyiola Adebayo. Adebayo had joined at eight the academy that produced Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Declan Rice and the defensive midfielder from Tilbury was tipped to follow in their footsteps when awarded a scholarship before anyone else in...

In six months Iyiola Adebayo went from captaining West Ham youth teams to delivering pizzas but he has found a new direction

“Within six months of being the captain at West Ham and playing in the Youth Cup, I was delivery driving at Domino’s,” says Iyiola Adebayo.

Adebayo had joined at eight the academy that produced Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Declan Rice and the defensive midfielder from Tilbury was tipped to follow in their footsteps when awarded a scholarship before anyone else in his age group. However, a dislocated shoulder set him back in the first year and despite making appearances for the under-21s and under 23s, he was released at 16.

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Premier League Futures (ORG) Iyiola Adebayo (PERSON) West Ham (ORG) the Youth Cup (EVENT) Domino (PERSON) Adebayo (PERSON) Rio Ferdinand (PERSON) Joe Cole (PERSON) Declan Rice (PERSON) Tilbury (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian Sport Read original →

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How Premier League Futures programme is helping former academy prospects

In six months Iyiola Adebayo went from captaining West Ham youth teams to delivering pizzas but he has found a new direction“Within six months of being the captain at West Ham and playing in the Youth Cup, I was delivery driving at Domino’s,” says Iyiola Adebayo. Adebayo had joined at eight the academy that produced Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Declan Rice and the defensive midfielder from Tilbury was tipped to follow in their footsteps when awarded a scholarship before anyone else in...

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