As preparation for the
2019 Southeast Asian Games in the
Philippines, the
Philippine Football Federation decided to let the
Philippines U-22 team, composed of players such as
Yrick Gallantes,
Chima Uzoka, and
Elias Mordal compete against the clubs of the
Philippines Football League in the
2019 Copa Paulino Alcantara. The team won their first match, 1–0, against
Green Archers United, but ultimately finished 3rd and failed to qualify for the semifinals. In the aftermath of the team's success at the SEA Games, it was reported that there were plans to have the national youth team participate in the
2020 season of the
Philippines Football League (PFL) as a guest team. However, such plans were dropped and reportedly a full-fledged professional club under the name "Azkals Development Team" would enter the league instead. The formation of the club is an initiative of the National Teams Committee of the
Philippine Football Federation. The coaching staff of the Philippine senior national team will be involved with ADT with
Scott Cooper as head coach. The ADT was formed after it was observed that other countries participating in the games already had many players participating in professional leagues while Filipino players of the same age still involved in collegiate football. The development team is intended give "professional club environment" exposure to mainly youth players as well as select overage players from the senior national team such as individuals who recently recovered from an injury. According to national team manager
Dan Palami, ADT is a platform to develop "homegrown" players for the national team.
Philippines Football League 2020 season By January 2020, the club had begun signing its first set of players. ADT's debut in the PFL was delayed due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 PFL season. In preparation for the possible resumption of the season, ADT's players went to
Balesin Island in September 2020. While by this time the government through
Games and Amusements Board and the
Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed PFL teams to conduct team trainings, ADT's status as a guest team and non-professional side of the PFL meant that it had to secure a separate permission from the government. The club participated in the 2020 PFL season that was postponed due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, boasting a roster with former PFL and UAAP players such as
Jarvey Gayoso,
Mar Diano, Marvin Angeles, and Mathew Custodio. ADT played their first-ever PFL match on October 28, 2020, at the
PFF National Training Center, where they lost to defending champions
United City, 1–0. On their third match of the season, on November 3, they clinched their first-ever PFL win, 2–0 over
Mendiola.
Jarvey Gayoso scored the team's first-ever PFL goal. The club ended up winning the next 3 games to secure 3rd place overall.
2021 season In 2021, the club brought in many new faces as well as let go of old players to other league clubs, in keeping with the club's values. The club's biggest departures were
Jarvey Gayoso, who went to
Kaya–Iloilo,
Anthony Pinthus, who transferred to
United City, and
Chima Uzoka, who went to
Stallion Laguna, The club brought in
Oskari Kekkonen and
Sandro Reyes, two prospects who had played for the
Philippines U23 team. On the team's list were
Mark Winhoffer, Lloyd Fagerlie,
Niko de Vera, and
Mark Swainston, although none of them played a match for the club. The club participated in the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara due to the cancellation of the 2021 PFL season. In the group stage they thrashed Mendiola 1991 9–0, their biggest-ever victory, and narrowly won 2–1 in the semifinals against Stallion, setting up a final with Kaya-Iloilo, where they lost 1–0. A number of their players would go on to play in the
2020 AFF Championship later that year.
2022–23 season During the club's 2022 preseason, the team let go of many of its players who were vital in last season's cup run. Mathew Custodio and
Ivan Ouano went to United City,
Sandro Reyes,
Oskari Kekkonen,
Mar Diano, and
Quincy Kammeraad departed for Kaya,
Troy Limbo and
Kainoa Bailey went to Stallion Laguna, while
Christian Rontini became the first player of the club to transfer overseas, going to
Penang in the
Malaysia Super League. The new-look club, as preparation for the
2022 Southeast Asian Games, participated in the
2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara, bringing in reinforcements such as Scott Woods, Jaime Rosquillo, and Mateo Alegre, as well as hiring experienced coach and former Azkal
Norman Fegidero. The club ended up with two wins, one draw, and three loses, finishing fourth but having to forfeit their semifinal slot due to their commitments in the ASEAN competition. After the SEA Games,
Philippine National Team veteran
Stephan Schröck was brought in and the club saw another overhaul, letting go most of its oldest players and bringing in majority of the
Philippine U-19 National Team. With Schrock maintaining a playing coach role and acting as captain, the club impressed despite the players' young ages. The ADT finished fourth in the mid-season table, with a number of their players playing in the
2022 AFF Championship. On 23 May 2023, ADT announced its withdrawal from the PFL, forfeiting its remaining games in the season due to unspecified "recent events", although it has committed to continue its Azkals Development Academy. ==Youth academy==