The lowdown on our new scholars

Eleven Academy players signed scholarship agreements last week, committing to full-time football at Fulham. Here’s the lowdown on the players that will be joining up with our Under-18s side for the next two seasons. Damian Cech - Goalkeeper Damian has been with us for two years, signing at the start of his Under-15s season. A well-respected member of the group, Damian’s positioning, athleticism and speed around the goal is excellent, which is accompanied by a first-class understanding of the game and a desire to learn. He has represented Czech Republic at youth level. Matt Bagot - Goalkeeper Standing at 6’5”, Matt is a commanding goalkeeper who joined from Oxford City five years ago. Matt’s distribution is one of his biggest strengths. He is able to drop the ball onto the last line with his kicking, while he can launch counter-attacks with his throws. Nazim Benchaita - Defender Joining at the beginning of 2025, Nazim is new to the programme. He is a modern day full-back who can find smart passes into pockets, play in tight spaces and roll inside into central areas. Most of his gametime has come at right-back, although he can play on the left as well. He’s from a footballing family, with a younger brother in the academy at QPR. Kymarley Morrison - Defender Picked up from FC Battersea five years ago, Kymarley is a powerful left-back. He’s got some top attributes for a full-back; great endurance, a high top speed and a big leap. A left-footer who loves to join in attacks, Kymarley is also an effective set-piece taker, a bit like Jon Esenga a couple of years above him, able to take inswinging corners that land underneath the crossbar. Markuss Gomins - Defender/Midfielder Markuss is a versatile operator who has shared his minutes between centre-back and centre-midfield. A player who done his whole Academy journey with Fulham, Markuss helps the team progress up the pitch with his ability to play off both feet. He is a Latvia U17s international, currently with 10 caps under his belt, scoring his only goal in a 2-1 defeat against Sweden in a European Championship Qualifier. Dylan De-Gale - Midfielder Another player who has been at Fulham since pre-Academy, Dylan is a progressive midfielder. He can operate from wide, drifting into central areas, but he is more naturally a number 10 or number eight. A left-footed player, Dylan boasts excellent receiving skills, able manipulate the ball and wriggle out of tight spaces. Tarrell Cavell - Winger From North London, Tarrell is an electric winger. Playing on the left allows him to chop inside onto his stronger right foot and shoot at goal, but he has worked on his deliveries from wide areas when playing on the opposite side. His speed is frightening, which makes him just as effective out-of-possession, with an engine that allows him to really get after opponents. William Sutton-Bangura - Winger William is a versatile winger who likes to combine with his teammates, but he’s just as dangerous when embarking on mazy solo runs. He has also played as a centre-forward. The wide player, who has been with us for nine years, has quick feet and really takes care of the ball for the team. He’s also a willing runner off the ball. Bashil Lubega - Striker Bashil has taken a unique journey into full-time football. He’s only been at Fulham for 18 months, joining from grassroots side Doverhouse Lions. He originally joined as a central-midfielder, so has only been playing up front for just over a year. For him to come into a new environment, learn a new position and establish himself in the U18s squad in a short space of time has been hugely impressive. A powerful number nine, Bashil is a real threat with his back to goal. Aidan Evans - Striker Aidan has already had plenty of U18s exposure, making 22 appearances for Ali Melloul’s side last season. The striker, who has been at Fulham since pre-Academy, is a goalscorer whose excellent movement makes him a nightmare to defend against. Out of possession, Aidan is a runner and sets the tempo for the team with his application and work-rate. Aidan is a Canada U17s international, who helped his country qualify for the U17s World Cup earlier this year, with the tournament taking place in Qatar this November. Anand Batra - Striker The fifth player of our 11 scholars to have spent his entire Academy career at Fulham, Anand is a striker who can also play slightly deeper and is dangerous when receiving the ball on the half turn. Anand scored plenty of goals for the U16s last season – and he has a variety of finishes in his locker.