Midfielder Tawanda Chirewa is one of seven young players set to start their two-year scholarships with the Blues in 2020/21.

Chirewa, who TWTD revealed has been the subject of strong interest from Fulham, became Town's second-youngest-ever first-team player when he came on as a late sub in the Leasing.com Trophy tie at Colchester last season aged only 16 years and 31 days.

Also set to become full-time scholars are defenders Sean Stephenson, Harry Knock and Albie Armin, who is understood to have attracted interest from Liverpool, midfielder Cameron Humphreys, striker Yousuf Hoque and goalkeeper Lewis Ridd.

Ridd, who is from Port Talbot, was previously with Swansea and was a boxer as a youngster, while the other six new recruits came through the Blues’ academy ranks.

Speaking to TWTD last week, general manager of football operations and academy manager Lee O'Neill said the players starting their scholarships can see a way forward into the first team if they impress.

“They can see a pathway with what’s happened with some of the younger players. [Chirewa]’s trained with the first team and that’s very different to probably the norm at some other clubs.

“We’ve gone through our online inductions, it was very different because normally we’d do it down at Portman Road. It’s been very different through this whole process but those scholarships are all sorted and ready to go."

No date has yet been set for the scholars to report to Playford Road for pre-season training, although the Premier League has pencilled in September 12th as the start date for the new season.

Photo: TWTD

Linkboy13 added 17:16 - Jul 14 The only way forward is to produce our own players that's the way it's always been at Ipswich. At the moment we are not doing that it surely shouldn't be too difficult in this league.
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midastouch added 18:25 - Jul 14 He looks a lot younger than 16. Let's hope some of these young guns come through the ranks and get a chance to shine properly in the first team (as and when they're ready). If you're good enough, you're old enough.
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Shawsey added 19:06 - Jul 14 Best of luck Tawanda.
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runningout added 19:51 - Jul 14 Not sure why one of these seven is of any note. All need to be themselves and they'll ALL do well
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Ipswichtown4life added 01:35 - Jul 15 If we don't sell these type of players then I'm excited for the future
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arc added 14:21 - Jul 17 I really hope that five years from now Tawanda is firmly established as the engine of our midfield and has grown an immense James Harden-style beard, and we'll be able to keep looking at this lovely picture of him looking about six! :-) Congratulations to all the lads. Good luck, work hard!
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