Kaya Halil: Taking His Opportunity | OneFootball

Now a second-year scholar with Brentford Academy, Kaya Halil is hoping to “make his mark” in his second season at Jersey Road.

A former Tottenham Academy product, Kaya has enjoyed consistent form in west London since joining Lydia Bedford’s Under-18s ahead of the 2023/24 season.

This campaign has seen him earn minutes with Neil MacFarlane’s B team, and now the midfielder is eyeing more time in the B team set-up.

“I feel like the minutes I’ve been given, I’ve taken my opportunities, very positive, I’ve embraced it well,” said Kaya.

“I’m thankful for the minutes I’ve been given but I’m just trying to get more and more experience and then hopefully make my mark.”

Kaya and the young Bees have enjoyed a positive league season to date in their first year in the Professional Development League following Brentford Academy’s awarding of Category Two status.

With a host of first-year scholars joining the club at Jersey Road, Kaya believes they have added “creativity” to the line-up.

“From a personal point of view I think I’ve started very well. From a team perspective I feel like we’ve grown and we’ve understood each other better,” explained Kaya.

“I feel like we’ve been very front footed, we’ve definitely improved in areas that we might have struggled in last year.

“With the younger players coming in, it’s added more creativity and I feel like we’ve been more threatening towards teams and very versatile as well.

“We have had some good results - I feel like we’re just getting better and better.”

A former academy player with Spurs, Kaya said the club suited his game style as he eyed a place to continue his development as a young player.

Once he wasn’t offered a scholar spot after nine years in north London, a move west was next.

“I signed there when I was under-9s and I was there for nine years. They didn’t give me a scholar and after that time I went on trial at a couple of other clubs,” said Kaya.

“I saw Brentford was opening up their academy, so I thought brand new, fresh start, let’s give it a go. After my two, three-day trial, they decided to offer me a spot.”

Now one of the older players in the side, Kaya has taken on a leadership role, while continuing to learn from B team midfielders such as Ethan Brierley and Riley Owen.

“Coming from where I have, helping the younger guys with advice when stuff doesn’t go their way, it just helps them and elevates their game,” explained Kaya.

“Watching them [Brierley and Owen] play, it’s a different intensity and it gives me more ideas as well, what I can add to my game, it influences me.

“They’re good leaders which helps as well, help dictate the game and communicate with others. They’re very good role models too.”

The young Bees are in action on Saturday, hosting Charlton Athletic at Hanwell Town Football Club.