Owls academy duo Matt Penney and Connor Kirby have signed their first professional contracts at Hillsborough.
The graduates of the Wednesday youth system have signed until summer 2018.
Penney, who is forging a fine reputation as a spectacular goalscorer, has been in the Owls’ youth set-up from eight-years-old and has impressively risen through the ranks.
Likewise has Kirby, who has been in the club’s academy for the past four years.
Both 17-year-olds featured for the Owls’ Development Squad on Monday in the Under-21 Premier League Cup and academy boss Dean Ramsdale is delighted for the pair.
He said: “It’s great news for the academy and great news for the boys.
“They have continued to improve and impress and we felt the time was right to offer them their contracts early.
“Connor has been outstanding and does the bits that people often don’t see but are important for the team. He’s worked so hard since coming in full time and we feel this is the reward he deserves.
“Matt has been absolutely fantastic for the Under-18s. He’s great for the team because everyone has confidence in him and he can play in a number of positions.
“He brings quality and has fantastic technique as we have seen with the goals he has scored.
“At times he has found playing at Under-18 level easy but struggled a little more in the 21s. That is why we have given him this length of contract.
“He now has a couple of years to develop and we feel he has a lot of development in him.
“He’s got a bit of work to do with his right foot, but we’re very happy with his left!”
The academy boss believes the current scholars can look to Penney and Kirby’s achievements and draw plenty of motivation to achieve the same goal of a professional contract.
He added: “We have a lot of expectations for this group and I have said to a few more that they are not far away.”