How Premier League Futures programme is helping former academy prospects
The Premier League Futures programme is assisting former academy players like Iyiola Adebayo in transitioning to new careers after being released from professional clubs. The initiative aims to support the mental health and professional development of young athletes who face rejection.
Why it matters
This addresses the high failure rate of youth academy prospects and the need for better support systems for young athletes transitioning out of professional sports.
Iyiola Adebayo now plans to work in player care before moving into the business or commercial side of sport. Photograph: Premier League Iyiola Adebayo now plans to work in player care before moving into the business or commercial side of sport. Photograph: Premier League Soccer 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
Ed Aarons Tue 28 Jul 2026 03.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google “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.
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