[Rampart66]

I've been following the Premier League since last season and I want to know how players are developed.

How does a player get in to a team's academy? Do they try out or does the team come to them (or both)? While at an academy, does the player have to pay to be there or does the player make any money being part of the organization?

Is there a minimum age for playing for the top squad? I recall Wayne Rooney was only 16 when he played at Everton. How does a player transistion from an academy to the first team (or reserve) squad? Does the team who runs the academy have rights to the players?