Binding: Paperback
Date Published: 06 Jan 2026
Leo tries to lead his team to glory in some of the most exciting, high-stakes football in the world!
Last season, Leo and his teammates saved the Lewisham Knights by avoiding a last-place finish in the U14 Premier League. Their future looks bright - until they learn the adult Knights have dropped down to the second division, again putting the future of the U14s in jeopardy.
All might not be lost. The team owner has entered the U14s into the Tournament of Champions, which takes place over the summer. Leo and his teammates will pack their bags and travel across Europe to play against some of the top youth teams in the world. But the tournament isn't just for pride and a trophy. Something else is at stake: a loophole that allows the winner of the tournament to stay in the youth Premier League.
The competition will be fiercer than ever. No one is giving the Knights a chance to win. And as if the tournament wasn't enough to deal with, someone is trying to sabotage the team, and the Knights have a new star player with a serious attitude problem.
The mountain to climb has never seemed so high. Can Leo find a way to pull his team together and have a fighting chance in the Tournament of Champions?
T.Z. Layton's inspiring third book in The Academy series is perfect for primary school readers and young sports fans looking for their next exciting read.
Ideal for young readers aged 7-13 looking for:
- Page-turning football chapter books
- A humorous, action-packed, sports adventure book series like no other!