Coventry City have turned to the League One market several times in recent transfer windows, signing Liam Kitching and Brad Collins from Barnsley - where Bobby Thomas had also been playing, albeit on loan from Burnley - and Ephron Mason-Clark from Peterborough United.
Mark Robins has already signed one young player this summer with 20-year-old winger Raphael Borges Rodrigues joining from the Australian A-League, and needs to strengthen his squad in a summer recruitment drive that he has said will be 'not insignificant'.
It is the kind of model that has proven successful for clubs in the Championship over the years, finding the best young talent coming to the fore in the lower leagues to make your squad stronger while watching the resale value spiral. But who are the prospects who have been catching the eye over the last few months in the bottom two divisions? Our complicated algorithm has picked out 25 rising stars under the age of 24 who might be of interest to Sky Blues' head of recruitment Dean Austin.
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We have taken out players who are already at Championship clubs and either spent last term out on loan or won promotion, or have now been signed or returned to clubs who have won promotion from the Championship.
So there’s no mention here of young Portsmouth duo Paddy Lane and Abu Kamara nor Derby centre-back Eiran Cashin, Middlesbrough keeper Sol Brynn, who impressed out with Leyton Orient, nor Norwich centre-back Brad Hills, who was getting a taste of action at Accrington Stanley. Michael Mellon is back with Burnley after scoring goals for Morecambe while forwards Gassan Ahadme (Cambridge) and Ali Al-Hamadi (AFC Wimbledon) are at Ipswich Town.
But here are the best of the rest, the players to keep an eye on over the summer and perhaps beyond.
25 Karamoko Dembélé, Blackpool, aged 21, versatile playmaker
‘Kaddy’ made headlines when he played for Celtic under-20s when he was still only 13 but he has made his breakthrough at Blackpool, chipping in with eight goals and 13 assists.
“The fans saw the best of him in the second half of the campaign, but the signs were there from day one,” said Blackpool Gazette’s Amos Wynn. “In his early games, you’d be forgiven for thinking his size could hinder him and allow him to be bullied, but the way he adapted to the physicality of League One was really impressive. While he was still fouled more than other players on the pitch, he was able to battle well and actually use his size to his advantage.”
24 Jayden Fevrier, Stockport County, aged 21, winger
Fevrier’s form in a struggling Colchester side has already bagged him a summer transfer to promoted Stockport and it will be interesting to see how he fares in League One.
“Jayden’s profile is one that we tried to get last summer but weren’t able to get the right one,” said Stockport boss Dave Challinor.
“Not only do we feel we have the right one now, but he is our player, a young one that we can definitely improve and will become a real asset for the club.”
23 Rio Adebisi, Crewe, aged 23, left-back
A fixture in the Crewe side as they reached the League Two play-offs, whether he has been starting on the left at full-back, wing-back or further forward and occasionally on the right. A useful asset going forwards, with four goals and seven assists.
22 Jake Young, Bradford City, aged 22, forward
A prolific first-half of the season out on loan at Swindon, including four goals in a 6-0 thrashing of Crawley and a run of seven goals in six games from late October and through November. Injury derailed season after recall to Bradford but boss Graham Alexander is looking forward to the chance of working with him soon.
“When he’s ready for pre-season, for me it will be like having a new player because I’ve had such a limited time working with him unfortunately,” he told the Telegraph and Argus.
21 Finley Burns, Manchester City, aged 20, defensive midfielder
Burns is on here after spending the season on loan at Stevenage, where he was named young player of the year as they chased a spot in the League One play-offs.
“He does the dark arts well, the unseen work,” wrote the Comet in their end of term report.
20 Kieron Bowie, Fulham, aged 21, forward
Bowie has spent the season on loan at Northampton Town, playing mostly on the right wing or middle, and scoring nine times while setting up another five. It was his second year with the Cobblers, having helped win promotion from League Two in 2023.
“I never expected it to go so well,” Bowie told the Northampton Chronicle. “I was excited to come back but I was also a bit nervous because we were in the league above and I wasn’t sure how well I would do.
“You question yourself but the manager was positive and it’s been a great experience to play against better players in League One and it’s always good to test yourself. Not many expected us to do well but we kept together the same team and the togetherness of the squad is so strong and we were fired up to prove everyone wrong.”
19 Seán Roughan, Lincoln City, aged 21, centre-back
A second season playing regularly as a left-sided centre-back in League One and this time he helped Lincoln push for the play-offs, only letting in 40 goals along the way. Getting a reputation for sending passes down the line and into the final third and his performances earned a call-up for Republic of Ireland under-21s.
18 Luke Harris, Fulham, aged 19, number 10
Another Fulham rookie, Harris has been cutting his teeth on loan at Exeter City, who he joined in January for a first taste of senior football. Four goals and two assists in 19 starts and two cameos. Loves a dribble.
Exeter boss Gary Caldwell wants him back, saying: "The players love him, he's fitted in really well.
"He's had a big impact and I think potentially more time with us next year would be really helpful for his development because he's another player, like Stanno [Jay Stansfield] that we had from Fulham, that I can see playing for Fulham in years to come.”
17 Harvey Vale, Chelsea, aged 20, versatile attacking midfielder-come-left-back
Has starred on loan at Bristol Rovers. “He came into the club as a player able to play across the attacking midfield three, it's actually been at left-back where the 20-year-old has shone,” reports BristolLive.
Vale himself said: “I’ve played a bit of everywhere really. Obviously, I came here as an attacker, played a bit of wing-back and I’ve probably played the majority of my minutes at wing-back this season. But I just want to be on the pitch to be honest, I just want to be playing and that’s where I love football, just on the pitch so I’m not sure what the future holds in that regard.
“I think it helps you with your game as well. Say next season I went and played attack and I’ve played left-back the last few games, I’ll know what the defender’s thinking and it can help me and vice-versa if I’m in defence. It’s all good for my game for sure.”
16 Freddie Potts, West Ham, aged 20, midfielder
West Ham youngster, the son of Steve Potts and brother of former Luton player Dan, has just been voted young player and supporters’ player of the year at Wycombe Wanderers, where he has been out on loan.
BBC 3 Counties Wycombe commentator, Sam Avery, said: “Watching Freddie Potts this season has been nothing short of joyful. He plays with such experience at a young age and has a bright future ahead of him.
“Technically brilliant, defensively assured and can simply run a game on his own terms… at 20 years old.”
15 Freddie Draper, Lincoln, aged 19, forward
Scored 10 times in 21 appearances on loan at Walsall in League Two before getting a taste of League One at parent club Lincoln in the second half of the season.
Lincoln director of football Jez George said: “Freddie joined Walsall as an 18 year-old, so to establish himself as their number nine and score 10 goals in half a season in just one league lower is a fantastic achievement and tells you everything about Freddie's mentality and ability.”
14 Jack Nolan, Accrington, aged 23, winger
Nolan is leaving Accrington for Gillingham this summer on the back of a season when he scored 17 times from out wide, either on the right or left. Set up another nine too.
Gillingham boss Mark Bonner said: “Jack joins following an excellent season and at an age and stage of his career where he has accumulated good experience but, vitally, has lots more to come. It’s his potential that excites me and gives us all a challenge to get the best out of him.
“Jack has outstanding delivery from crosses and set plays, is coming off the back of a season full of goals and assists, and will fit well into our team.”
13 Max Dean, MK Dons, aged 20, forward
Came through the ranks at Leeds United but has just helped MK Dons reach the League Two play-off semi-finals. Apparently subject of £1m interest from Toulouse after scoring 16 times in 24 starts and seven sub outings.
"He's an infectious character, and he's got quality as well," said manager Mike Williamson. "With his energy, whenever he's on, there's always a chance.”
12 Liam Bennett, Cambridge United, aged 22, right-back
Right-back has ended his first full season with the Cambridge United first team as player of the year.
11 Kwame Poku, Peterborough, aged 22, right winger
Eleven goals and seven assists for the 22-year-old at Peterborough and he has already been tentatively linked with Championship interest, including from Coventry and Stoke.
But Posh owner Darragh MacAnthony said recently: “Kwame will be here next year by hook or crook, no one at the moment will offer break the bank type money for him. Sign a new deal or not, he’s under 24, we paid a lot of money for him, we will get the same money for him next season, I am not losing sleep.”
10 Tyler Bindon, Reading, aged 19, centre-back
A big year of development for the United States youth international, who has pledged his senior future to New Zealand. Has earned praise for how he can read the game and being a big part of how Reading could build from the back as they pulled out of League One trouble.
9 Sam Tickle, Wigan, aged 22, goalkeeper
England under-21s keeper has been tied down to a long-term deal at Wigan after being watched by Premier League clubs including Everton. Has had chance to showcase his shot-stopping ability and knack for claiming crosses – and also show off what has been described as a monstrous long kick.
8 Ethan Erhahon, Lincoln City, aged 23, midfielder
Scotland under-21s international is the oldest player on this list but has only just turned 23.
A fixture in the Lincoln side since joining from St Mirren 18 months ago and has just been crowned their players’ player of the year. Boss Michael Skubala called him the best defensive midfielder in the division “by a mile” and has admitted it will be tough to hold onto him this summer. Likely to become the most expensive sale in the club’s history, surpassing the £640,000 raised by Harry Toffolo.
Director of football Jez George told BBC Radio Lincolnshire recently: “I don’t think clubs in the Championship will be doing their jobs properly if there wasn’t interest.”
7 Bosun Lawal, Celtic, aged 21, defensive midfielder
Republic of Ireland youth has forged his reputation in midfield at Fleetwood Town, having been seen as a centre-back as he has come through the ranks at Celtic.
Former coach Omer Riza told The Celtic Way: “I still say that he can be a top, top player at centre-back, because his physical attributes mean that he wouldn’t have a problem against quick forwards, but he’s shown at Fleetwood that he can play in midfield, too.
“I don’t want to compare him to Yaya Toure, but the profile shows that he can possibly become good in those areas with the existing qualities that he’s got, like the Ivory Coast midfielder. He’s still got a lot to learn and he’s still young, but you don’t want to put too much pressure on young shoulders too soon.”
6 Ronnie Edwards, Peterborough, aged 21, centre-back
Signed by Barnet in 2020 and has been almost constantly linked with a move to Championship or Premier League since that point, capped by England at youth level along the way. A ball-playing centre-back who has got better at the defensive side of the game, playing regularly for three seasons.
“The constant speculation can be frustrating, but I have no concerns about any of it affecting Ronnie,” manager Darren Ferguson told the Peterborough Telegraph. “You could tell him five minutes before kick off there had been a bid for him and it would make no difference to how he played as he’s so level-headed and calm. He has a fantastic temperament.”
5 Hector Kyprianou, Peterborough, aged 23, defensive midfielder
Staying in Peterborough with a midfielder who turned 23 in May, and another who has been liked with interest from City.
Darragh MacAnthony said early in the season just finished: “Hector was spotted by one of my young ‘gem scouts’ who said we had to get him – and fair play to Grant McCann and Cliff Byrne as they were immediately taken by him when they saw videos of him. And Darren Ferguson has taken a raw talent and given him the self-belief that could help take him as far as he wants to go.
“He was a 'blue-eyed boy’ and now he’s a killer. We paid over £400k to sign him and the Orient fans seemed happy we did, but it was a great piece of recruitment. It doesn’t get talked about enough how we are happy to pay clubs from lower divisions a big sum for a young player.”
Has emerged as a goal threat over the last few months, scoring eight times as Posh finished in the play-off places as he partnered Archie Colllins, aged 24, in midfield.
“He (Kyprianou) is a good player,” said manager Darren Ferguson. “You aren’t going to get any better in this league, those two (Kyprianou and Collins) in there are the best in the league. I don’t care what team of the year is, there are no two better players in midfield in this league.
“People will say I’m biased but I’ve seen every midfielder in this league and no one can get near them.”
4 Femi Azeez, Reading, aged 23, right winger
Scored eight and set up nine as a left footer on the right wing for Reading, where he has had a breakthrough season. Likes to go up against a full-back and played a huge role in his side staying in League One. Has previously been linked with Plymouth as a potential replacement for Morgan Whittaker.
“He was a nearly player at the start of the season, he was nearly getting those goals, nearly creating those assists," former Reading manager Mick Gooding told BBC Berkshire. “His confidence, now, he just believes when he has a shot that he is going to score. He doesn’t even think about it. It’s just what confidence does for you.
“Because he’s kept going and hasn’t thrown the towel in, he has just got that belief about himself that when he shoots, he is going to score, or if he doesn’t score then the keeper is going to have to pull off one hell of a save to make sure he doesn’t. He is now the biggest player for Reading because he’ll get you goals and create you goals.”
3 Marc Leonard, Brighton, aged 22, central midfielder
Two seasons on loan at Northampton, winning promotion in the first and starting all 46 games in his second as he scored five and set up six.
Northampton boss Jon Brady told the Daily Record: “Marc is an outstanding young Scottish player. I believe he can go all the way to the top and if Rangers or Celtic were to come in for him then I feel he has the talent to flourish for either side.
“He is beyond us now and rightly so. There is a lot of interest in him from the English Championship. Certainly with the ability he has, for me, he has to be testing himself, at least in the Championship. He would be a huge asset to any team in that league.
“The improvement in him has been scary. He came as a very good technical player but now he has gone up so many levels. He has risen to every challenge we gave him and in the end, he was just grabbing games by the scruff of the neck and being a real difference maker. He came as a young player but has left Northampton as a man.”
Linked with Birmingham this week, he’s clearly been a popular figure at Northampton.
Chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “We think both [Leonard and Kieron Bowie, also on this list] are looking to play in the Championship. We would buy Marc in a heartbeat if the numbers quoted in the media were accurate, no question, but he wants to play in the Championship which we respect. We are ambitious but we won’t put the club at risk.”
2 Harrison Burrows, Peterborough, aged 22, left-back
League One player of the season with 12 goals from left-back, including two in an EFL Trophy final win over Wycombe at Wembley and has already been strongly linked with the Sky Blues.
Darragh MacAnthony said recently: "Harrison can go on and play as high as he likes. Technically he’s top notch and he creates goals for fun. He also scores goals and you don’t captain your hometown club at the age of 22 if you don’t have something about you.
"He’s been playing left-back even though he’s not really a full-back, but he’s developed physically this season.”
1 Charlie Hughes, Wigan, aged 20, centre-back
On the books of Manchester City and Liverpool as a schoolboy but found a clear pathway at Wigan, where he has now already played 75 times.
“In terms of young player of the year, Charlie has been immense, considering it's his first full season,” said Wigan manager Shaun Maloney. “When you think back to when I came in during January last season, he'd had a really difficult few games.
“In fairness to Kolo (Toure), he played him, they got beat, he played him, they got beat, but he kept faith. And when you compare the player back then to the player we see now, he's come on leaps and bounds - with so much more to come.”
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