Academy Internationals: Six Palace prospects receive call-ups - News

Jesse Derry, Jake Grante, Hindolo Mustapha, Killian Phillips, Charlie Walker-Smith and Franco Umeh have all been called up to represent their respective countries in the upcoming September international break.

Crystal Palace Under-21s midfielder Hindolo Mustapha has received an inaugural call-up to the Sierra Leone national team’s senior squad ahead of their 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Last season, he signed his first professional contract in January and made 25 appearances in total (19 for the U18s and six for the U21s) with six goals and nine assists to his name.

He has hit the ground running in 2024/25, with two goals in his first two games for the U21s side against Blackburn Rovers and Leeds United in the Premier League 2.

Mustapha will now be a part of Amidu Karim’s side as they prepare to face Chad and Zambia in Group G of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. The Ivory Coast are also in their group, the top two sides go through with each team playing each other once.

The in-form Jesse Derry has received his call-up for the England Under-18s side ahead of the Lafarge Foot Avenir Tournament. He was previously a part of the England U17s side last season, where he helped them qualify for the 2024 UEFA U17 European Championship finals.

Derry has recorded six goals in his first four games for Rob Quinn’s U18s this season and will now be a part of Liam Bramley’s England U18s setup as they prepare for games against Switzerland, Portugal and hosts France.

Loanee Killian Phillips and Franco Umeh have also been called up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21s side. This is the first time Umeh has been selected for the U21s after impressing in the younger age groups.

Phillips has recently made his debut for St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership against reigning champions Celtic, while Umeh scored for Darren Powell’s U21s in their opening league clash against Blackburn Rovers. The duo face two 2025 UEFA U21 European Championship qualifiers against Türkiye and Latvia.

Elsewhere in green, centre-back Jake Grante has been called up to the Republic of Ireland Under-19s side. They face three friendly games against France, Kazakhstan and Slovenia ahead of their preparations for their 2025 UEFA U19 European Championship

Charlie Walker-Smith has received his first call-up for Wales’ U18s, having previously featured for them in the 2024 UEFA U17 European Championship last season.

He will be taking part in the Ježek Cup, with Craig Knight’s side facing Slovakia, Wales and hosts Czechia.

Full details of the fixtures are outlined below, kick-off times in BST. Check back here and on our social media accounts for updates!

Sierra Leone - Hindolo Mustpaha

Fri, 6th Sep: Sierra Leone v Chad (17:00)
Tue, 10th Sep: Zambia v Sierra Leone (20:00)

Republic of Ireland U21s - Killian Phillips and Franco Umeh

Fri, 6th Sep: Türkiye v Republic of Ireland (17:45)
Tue, 10th Sep: Republic of Ireland v Latvia (17:00)

Republic of Irelnad U19s - Jake Grante

Thu, 5th Sep: Republic of Ireland v France (16:00)
Sat, 7th Sep: Kazakhstan v Republic of Ireland (16:00)
Tue, 10th Sep: Slovenia v Republic of Ireland (09:30)

England U18s - Jesse Derry

Wed, 4th Sep: England v Portugal (14:00)
Fri, 6th Sep: Switzerland v England (14:00)
Sun, 8th Sep: France v England (18:00)

Wales U18s - Charlie Walker-Smith

Wed, 4th Sep: Czechia v Wales (17:00)
Fri, 6th Sep: Wales v Slovakia (17:00)
Sun, 8th Sep: Wales v Türkiye (11:00)

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