Brentford have announced their academy has moved to category one status, the highest level in English football, marking the fastest-ever rise through the ranks.

As recently as June 2024, Brentford had risen from the lowest category-four level to category two and have now taken that final step.

It is the fastest rise since the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) was officially implemented in English football before the 2012-13 season.

The academy, previously led by Stephen Torpey - now Manchester United's academy director - is currently overseen by his replacement, David Rainford.

It represents rapid development for a club that famously scrapped its academy system in favour of a B team. That Brentford B team remains in place but now competes in the under-21 system, with players required to be recruited across the youth levels beneath it.

It is another step in the growth of the west London club under majority owner Matthew Benham, who has announced new minority investors from the entertainment industry. His company, Best Intentions Analytics, also bought Spanish third-division club Merida last season.