ALBION have announced details of a dozen first-year scholars who will be challenging for places in the under-18s.

Five are Sussex boys continuing their progress through the academy ranks.

The other seven are external signings, including four Irish prospects and one from overseas.

Reece Meekums (Brighton), Danny Barker (Brighton), George Hobbs (Southwick), Max Sanders (Horsham) and Archie Davies (St Leonards) will be pushing to be part of Ian Buckman’s under-18s squad.

They are joined by Owen Moore (Essex), David Ajiboye (Croydon), Luis Garcia (Gran Canaria), Rian O’Sullivan (Tralee), Jayson Molumby (County Waterford), Thomas Byrne (Dunleer) and Daniel Mandriou (Dublin).

Albion have strong connections in Ireland through academy manager John Morling. He was with the Football Association of Ireland for seven years before joining the Seagulls three years ago.

Morling said: “It seems that every year we’re getting stronger and stronger. I’m very pleased, it’s a very good intake, similar to the quality of last year but a higher number.

“We have a mixture of players that have been at the club for many years as well as recruiting new ones, who in some cases, we had to compete with Premier League clubs for.

“We now have a very exciting group of players at under-18 level and we’re still looking to add one or two more defenders.”

Buckman, promoted from the 13-16 age group, has former Albion defender Adam Hinshelwood, pictured above, as his assistant.

Meanwhile, Albion under-18s launch their season in Premier League southern section at Spurs on August 8 (11.30am).

Their first home fixture is against Swansea the following Saturday at the training complex in Lancing (11am).

The 12-team southern division also includes the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, West Ham and Aston Villa.

Albion play against them all home and away. Their finishing position will determine which group they go into with the northern division, also comprising 12 clubs, for one-off matches to decide the overall standings.