Full name Nike Academy Ground Capacity 3,100 Manager Jimmy Gilligan | Nickname(s) The Academy League Friendlies Founded 2009 | |
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The Nike Football Academy is an English football academy funded and administered by Nike, Inc.. The academy has a revolving squad of unsigned under-20 players and is run with the intention of helping them find a professional club. The academy is currently based at St George's Park National Football Centre. The squad is made up of players scouted worldwide and drafted to the squad through Nike Most Wanted trials. Over 50 players have gone on to play professional football over the years. The programme is led by Manager Jon Goodman, with former Wolverhampton Wanderers player Matt Murray working as Assistant Manager.
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The programme is also known for its collaborations with world class professional players, most notably Sami Khedira, Joe Hart, Rio Ferdinand, Francesco Totti, Mario Gotze and others.
Players such as David Accam, Tom Rogic, Majeed Waris, Petar Golubovic and Sergio Galeano are graduates of the programme.
The Academy regularly play teams like FC Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Manchester United and others.
2013–14
After Jorge Grant signed for Nottingham Forest F.C., Jose Figuera, Kirill Laptev and Saife Alami Bazza were given a trial to replace him.
Wallace Camilo, David Fernandes and Melusi Zulu ended up not going with the team on the Nike "The Chance" tour. To replace them the following three contestants were brought in:
2011–12
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
2012–13
As of 6 November 2012.Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Karlton Watson signed a professional contract for the premier league side, Leicester City FC on 22 November 2012. Cameron Edwards also signed professional terms with the Australian team Melbourne Heart on 21 December 2012.
2014–15
As of 8 September 2014.Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
2015–16
As of 4th May 2015Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
2016–17
As of 2 June 2016.Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.