Derby County wonderkid breaks U18s Premier League record: ‘Remember the name’
Derby County prospect Blake Henry is catching many eyes at the youth level for the Rams, and recorded another milestone on Saturday.
The youngster is among several talents performing well in Derby‘s Under-18 team this season, who currently sit eighth in the north group.
Manager John Eustace will hope to see some of those talents make their way through to the first team, to aid in what has been a good Championship season so far.
Derby sit just five points from the play-offs, amid what has been a remarkable turnaround following last season’s fight against relegation.
Dion Sanderson has arrived at Derby this month, and several others have followed as the Rams look to strengthen further.
Derby County wonderkid makes history
Henry, 14, is among Derby’s most highly-rated young talents, with a huge future touted for the teenager.
He has already received a call-up for England‘s U15 squad, has been given a sponsorship contract by Adidas, and regularly trains with groups four to seven years older than him.
The forward has already scored 45 goals this season – a stunning return and the reason why there is so much excitement surrounding him at Derby.
At just the age of 13, Henry was handed his debut for the U17s, and on Saturday, he made history by appearing for the U18s.
At just 14 years and 59 days old, the forward became the youngest player to make an appearance in the U18 Premier League this season, and the ninth youngest player in the league’s history.
Henry came on for the final 10 minutes of the game against Sunderland U18s, which ultimately finished 2-2.
The talent hunter on Instagram shared the news on Monday, and wrote: “What a talent Derby County has got on their hands – definitely one of the most talented U15 strikers in the country right now. Blake Henry, remember the name”.
Who is Derby’s youngest ever debutant?
Henry has a long time if he is hoping to create first-team history for Derby, as well.
Mason Bennett, who also came through the academy at the club, made his debut in 2011 at the age of 15 years, three months and seven days.
| Derby County youngest debutants | Age at debut |
| Mason Bennett | 15 years, 3 months, 7 days |
| Lee Holmes | 15 years, 8 months, 24 days |
| Steve Powell | 16 years, 1 month, 3 days |
| Kaide Gordon | 16 years, 2 months, 24 days |
| Mark O’Brien | 16 years, 5 months, 13 days |
The striker went on to spend another nine years on the books with the Rams, scoring six goals before he left in 2020.
Henry has over a year to break the record, and at the current rate he is marking milestones, it would be no surprise to see him claim that record.