- Shane O'Neill to train with Wednesday
- American youngster excited by Owls chance
- USA coach speaks highly of central defender
Young American defender Shane O’Neill has landed in England to train with Wednesday.
The Colorado Rapids ace has been a regular with the MLS outfit for three seasons having risen through the ranks at Under-16 and Under-18 level.
The 21-year-old trained with then Premier League side Fulham last year on this shores and is aiming for a positive impact with the Owls.
O’Neill said: “This opportunity is too good to pass up. Anytime you get a chance to train with a club like this, it’s massive, and I’m excited to see how much my game has grown since I went last year.”
Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni added: “Having had the opportunity to play alongside Shane and then coach him this past season, I can say that he’s a player that has the hunger and desire to achieve great things.”
Central defender O’Neill has lifted the Rapids’ Young Player of the Year title and Defensive Player of the Year, leading to recognition on the international stage.
He played for the USA at the 2013 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Turkey before being drafted into the senior squad in January this year.
O’Neill follows in the footsteps of compatriot John Harkes, who arrived at Hillsborough in 1990 and went on to become the first American to play in the Premier League.