Brentford will reopen their academy after Premier League clubs voted through a rule that dictates every member must operate one by the start of the 2024-25 season. The new youth development regulations were agreed last month by clubs at the league’s annual general meeting and Brentford are taking steps to ensure they adhere.
Brentford controversially closed their category two academy in 2016 on the grounds that running costs of about £2m a year meant it equated to bad business. Their switch to a B-team model, which develops players aged 17-21 and has its own games programme, has been highly successful. Their previous structure was also exploited by elite clubs who signed their best youngsters on the cheap.
