Birmingham City look set to release up to ten of their younger players as part of an overhaul of their Under-21s squad.
The headline departures when the club publishes its retained and released list in the next few days will include striker Junior Dixon and midfielder Josh Home.
Dixon has been on loan to National League South side Boreham Wood this season scoring seven times from 41 appearances – 13 starts, 28 as substitute.
He impressed for the under-21s the previous campaign, bagging 19 goals, as Blues reached the PDL Play-Off Final.
Blues picked up the 20-year-old from Crystal Palace after a trial period and when he was scoring during his first season there was a clamour amongst fans for him to be given a chance in the senior squad.
Home spent time on loan at Gateshead in the National League this season and made the Blues bench for the Vertu Trophy game against Swindon Town in January.
Blues brought the 19-year-old in from Newcastle United as a scholar and he has captained the Under-21 side.
Other second year professionals who are not being retained include striker Ben Beresford, who has been on loan to Kidderminster Harriers in the National League North, ex-Albion defender Femi Olofinjana, centre-half Laiith Fairnie, who was loaned to National League North side Rushall Olympic, and winger Sahid Kamara, who ended the season on loan at National League South side Welling United.
Midfielder Harley Hamilton will not be getting a new contract and Blues are not retaining first year professionals Oliver Sayer (goalkeeper), Stoyan Pergelov and Taylor Dodd (defenders).
Despite their success the previous season and the Under-18s winning the PDL League and Play-Off double resulting in professional contracts across the board, the Under-21s have had a difficult 2024/25.
Steve Spooner’s side finished eighth in the 11-team PDL North and were on the receiving end of some heavy defeats as a number of their more experienced players were loaned out, including those mentioned above and the likes of George Hall, Alfie Chang and Tommy Fogarty, as well as Romelle Donovan and Brandon Khela, who has made eight first team appearances at Bradford City.
Moving on this crop of players suggests that Blues are clearing the decks for fresh approach as they move into the Premier League 2 next season after recently securing a Category One Academy Licence.
