Ipswich Town youngster Charlie Compton included in The Guardian’s latest Next Generation series of promising Premier League players

Former Exning United youth player Charlie Compton has been included in the latest edition of The Guardian’s Next Generation series.

The publication identifies the best young talent coming through – both in the Premier League and globally – every year.

And Compton has been put forward as Ipswich Town’s representative from the top flight of English football for the 2024/25 season.

The 17-year-old started his footballing journey at Exning’s Lacey’s Lane base before being picked up by Norwich City at under-9 level.

But after a few years in the Canaries’ youth set-up, Compton crossed the Norfolk/Suffolk divide to link up with Ipswich and he has not looked back.

The Compton family said: “We’re very thankful for the support that Exning gave Charlie from an early age. He loved his time there.

“Bottisham Village College also provided Charlie with a lot of good support throughout his time there.

“He’s been playing a bit further up the pitch since joining Ipswich on a scholarship and he’s really caught the eye.”

In their reasoning for the inclusion of the former Swaffham Bulbeck C of E Primary School student, The Guardian wrote: “His box-to-box qualities catch the eye immediately but there are other major strings to the 17-year-old’s bow.

“A winning blend of composure and technical ability means he poses a genuine threat in the opposition penalty area, whether scoring or creating, while his passing range means he is capable of controlling matches from deep.”

Compton has featured in all of Ipswich Under-18s’ matches so far this term.