U18 | 2022/23 First Year Scholars

Cardiff City FC have welcomed a new group of scholars to develop further within the Club's Academy setup ahead of the 2022/23 season.

Featuring many players who have called the Club their home for several years alongside some newcomers, the young Bluebirds are now set to make the exciting next steps in their journey.

With 12 individuals becoming first year scholars, Head of Academy David Hughes said: "We are extremely excited by the potential of our scholarships group. There is a positive atmosphere and great enthusiasm from the boys and coaching team for the coming 12 months.

"As always, it will require a resilience and exceptional attitude to commit and overcome any obstacles that may appear along the way.

"We have no doubt, that we can support the individuals in achieving success in the next step of their journey. Good luck to all the boys!"

Here are the First Year scholars for the 2022/23 season:

Luke Armstrong

The newly-signed U16 Welsh international goalkeeper joined the Bluebirds from Wolverhampton Wanderers where he trained from the age of 7. Luke is a confident shot stopper who commands his area and is comfortable building attacks for the team.

Will Spiers

Will joined the Academy at the age of 7. The Abergavenny-based youngster is a converted right winger who now showcases his athletic and defensive capabilities as a wing-back and centre-back.

Will is an attack minded player which is illustrated in his goal tally for the U16’s where he scored 11 goals during the last campaign.

Luey Giles

Luey joined the Academy at U9 level. The Cardiff-born left-back has represented Wales at U16 level sharing honours of the Victory Shield with Scotland during the 2021/22 season.

Luey is a calm and composed left sided player who excels in 1v1 attacking and defending situations.

Dylan Lawlor

Dylan joined the Academy at age 7 during the pre-academy years. The Caerphilly based centre-back has represented Wales consistently across all ages and has captained the team at U16 level. Dylan was part of the 2021 Victory Shield winning squad.

A regular in the U18 squad during the previous campaign, Dylan is a composed and accurate defender in and out of possession who uses his heading ability to command aerial duels.

Daniel Barton

Daniel joined the Academy at the age of 8 years old. The Cwmbran-based defensive midfield player uses his combative style to break up play and his accurate technical ability to dictate play for the team. Daniel featured regularly for the U18 side towards the end of the 2021/22 season.

Cody Twose

Cody joined the Academy at the age of 7. The Merthyr-based youngster is an intelligent attacking midfield player who uses his 1v1 skills to beat players and create chances in the final 3rd.

Cody has represented Wales at U16 level competing in the Victory Shield and sharing honours with Scotland as winners of the competition in 2021.

Trey George

Trey joined the Academy at the age of 8 years old during the pre-academy years. The Merthyr-based attacking midfield player is a converted striker and he continues to show his goalscoring ability from midfield areas. Trey also enjoys the defensive side of the game and works hard to break up play and regain possession for the team effectively.

Cole Fleming

Cole joined the Academy at U9 level. The Cardiff born youngster impacts the game from either wing with his electric pace and 1v1 attacking skills.

A regular at U18 level last season, the Welsh international youngster has represented his country across all ages up to U17 level.

Joshua Beecher

Josh joined the Academy at U13 level. Josh is a quick and athletic young player who uses his pace to dominate in 1v1 situations. Josh enjoys the attacking side of the game and creates chances in wide areas from both full-back and wing positions.

Josh has represented Wales at U16 level sharing winners’ honours with Scotland as part of the 2021 Victory Shield squad.

Louis Phillips

Louis joined the Academy at the age of 7 during the pre-academy years. The Cwmbran-based youngster showcases his pace and control as both a winger and a striker. The hard-working attacker enjoys the defending side of the game pressing from the front to disrupt the opposition. The left footed wide man uses his 1v1 skills to score a variety of goals.

Tanatswa Nyakuhwa

Tanatswa joined the Academy at the age of 7 during the pre-academy phase. The Newport-based winger uses his pace and attacking ability to score and create goals from wide areas, registering 17 goals & 10 assists for the U16’s during the last campaign. Tanatswa is a Welsh international who has represented his country at U17 level.

Japhet Mpadi

Japhet joined the Academy at the age of 7. The Cardiff-born youngster can play off both flanks and in central areas and uses his pace and direct attacking ability to beat players in 1v1s allowing him to create and score a variety of goals.

Japhet has represented Wales across all ages up to U17 level and was a regular with the U18 side during the last campaign.