Iyiola Adebayo transitions from West Ham academy to new opportunities
The Guardian Sport • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 7:00 AM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Iyiola Adebayo experienced a significant career shift after being released from West Ham's academy at 16. Once a captain of the youth team and promising talent, Adebayo faced setbacks, including an injury that affected his early career. Following his release, he found work delivering pizzas, but he now aims to carve out a new direction for himself. The Premier League Futures programme is designed to assist former academy prospects like Adebayo in rediscovering their paths within football.
- •Iyiola Adebayo was released from West Ham at 16 years old.
- •He captained the youth team and played in the Youth Cup.
- •Adebayo is now delivering pizzas but seeks a new direction.
- •The Premier League Futures programme supports former academy players.
- 7:00 AMThe Guardian Sport — 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 “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. Adebayo had joined at eight the academy that produced Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole and Declan Rice and the defensive midfielder from Tilbury was tipped to follow in their footsteps when awarded a scholarship before anyone else in his age group. However, a dislocated shoulder set him back in the first year and despite making appearances for the under-21s and under 23s, he was released at 16. Continue reading...
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