Southampton F.C. Under-21s and Academy or Saints U21s and Academy is the youth organisation run by Southampton F.C. to encourage and develop young footballers in the south of England. Renowned players including Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, and Alan Shearer began their careers at this academy.
Liverpool F.C. Under 23s is the reserve & senior youth team of Liverpool F.C. It is the most senior level of the Liverpool academy beneath the first team. In the summer of 2012, the whole English reserve football system was overhauled and replaced with an Under 21 league system, the Professional Development League. Liverpool's reserve team became the Liverpool under 23 team and competes in the Professional Development League 1 which is also known by its sponsorship name of Barclays under 21 Premier League and Premier League 2. The team generally consists of Under-21 players at the club but at times senior players also play for the reserves when they are recuperating from injury. Following the introduction of new regulations from the 2012–13 season, only three outfield players and one goalkeeper over the age of 21 can play for the reserves regularly.
The Tottenham Hotspur Academy is the youth system of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. The academy was created to train and develop players from the age of eight all the way through to the age of 23. Many of those who have progressed through Tottenham's academy have gone on to sign professional contracts and several have represented their country at full international level.
Manchester United Football Club Under-21s is the most senior of Manchester United's youth teams and the club's former reserve team. They play in the Premier League 2, the highest tier of the Professional Development League. The team is effectively Manchester United's second-string side, but is limited to five outfield players and one goalkeeper over the age of 21 per game following the introduction of new regulations from the 2022–23 season, a change from three outfield players over age 23 introduced in 2016–17. The age limit previously was again 21, from 2012–13. The team's current manager is Travis Binnion, who took over from Mark Dempsey in 2023.
Middlesbrough F.C. Reserves and Academy are the under-23 and under-18 teams of Middlesbrough F.C.
The Sheffield Wednesday Academy is the youth system of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club.
Arsenal Football Club Academy is the youth system of Arsenal Football Club based in Hale End, London, England. It is often referred to as Hale End eponymously by the club, sports media, and fans. The academy teams play in the Professional Development League, the highest level of youth football in England. The club also competes in the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League competitions. Former player Per Mertesacker is the current academy manager.
The Huddersfield Town Development Squad is the reserve team of Championship club Huddersfield Town. They play competitively as the Huddersfield Town Under 21s in the Professional Development League 2 Northern Division, of which they finished 1st in the 2013–14 season, but then proceeded to lose the nationwide play-off semi-final against Queens Park Rangers.
Swansea City Association Football Club Under-21s is the most senior team of Swansea City's youth teams and are the club's former reserve team. They compete in the Professional Development League. The Under-21s play the majority of their home fixtures at the club's Youth Academy in Landore, with occasional fixtures taking place at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Stoke City Football Club Under-21s is the most senior of Stoke City's youth teams and the club's former reserve team. The Under-23 team is effectively Stoke City's second-string side. They play in Premier League 2. The team also competes in the Premier League Cup and Staffordshire Senior Cup.
Leicester City Under-21s are the former reserve team of Leicester City. The team mainly consists of under-21 players at the club, although senior players occasionally play in the reserve side, for instance when they are recovering from injury. The Under-21s team play in Premier League 2.
The 2013-14 Under-21 Premier League Cup was the first edition of the U21 Premier League Cup.
Melbourne City Football Club Youth is the youth system of Melbourne City Football Club based in Cranbourne East, Melbourne. The youth team plays in the NPL Victoria 2, the second tier of Victorian football in Australia and the hiatus A-League Youth competition. The club also fields under-21s, under-18s, and three other academy teams within the NPL Victoria system.
The 2015–16 Under-21 Premier League Cup is the third edition of the U21 Premier League Cup. The competition was won by West Ham United who defeated Hull City 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out after the two-leg final had finished 1–1 on aggregate.
AFC Bournemouth Under-21s and Academy are the youth teams of Bournemouth. The reserve team is made up of under-21 players and is effectively Bournemouth's second-string side. They play in the Professional Development League Group B. The under-18 players, among other younger age groups, make up the Academy team. They play in the Youth Alliance League's Southwest Division and contest the Youth Alliance Cup.
Norwich City Under-21s and Academy is the youth organisation run by Norwich City F.C. The team is made up of under-21 and academy players and is effectively Norwich City's second-string side. The under-18 players among other younger age groups make up the academy team. In March 2018, Norwich City F.C. announced a public mini-bond investment scheme, through sports investment platform Tifosy, with the aim of raising £3,500,000 towards developing new academy facilities. Funds from more than 700 fans and investors exceeded the £3,500,000 target and reached the £5,000,000 limit through a five-year bond scheme, called the Canaries bond, and sold out before it could be made publicly available. With the money, the club has already installed new pitches at its Category 1 Academy, as well as a new irrigation system, cameras for analysis and floodlights. The club has already started work on a new main building, which will house a new gym, classrooms, physios room, changing rooms and offices, and is due to be completed this summer and has just had a roof put on. A stand will also be installed next to the main Academy pitch.
Derby County Reserves and Academy are the youth teams of Derby County. The reserve team is made up of under-23 players, and is effectively Derby County's second-string side. The under-18 players among other younger age groups make up the academy team. They play in the Premier League 2, the highest tier of reserve team football in England. Derby's academy is Category 1, the highest classification in England under the Elite Player Performance Plan.
The Brighton & Hove Albion Under-21s and Academy are the youth teams of Brighton & Hove Albion. The under-21 players play in the Premier League 2, the highest tier of under-21 team football in England. They also compete in the EFL Trophy, the Premier League Cup, the Premier League International Cup, the Sussex Senior Challenge Cup and the HKFC Soccer Sevens.
The academy teams culminate with the under-18's squad, who compete in the U18 Premier League Division South.
The Crystal Palace F.C. Under-21s is the Under-21 Development team of Crystal Palace Football Club. They play in Premier League 2, the top level of reserve football in England and also compete in the Premier League Cup, Premier League International Cup and EFL Trophy.
The 2022–23 Premier League Cup was the ninth edition of the competition. The defending champions were West Bromwich Albion, who defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers on penalties in the previous final. This season saw the return of a Under-21 age limit, reduced from Under-23 the previous season, with clubs permitted to use five over-age outfield players and an over-age goalkeeper in order to help with the transition.
