Pierce Charles has signed his first professional contract with the Owls.
The talented young goalkeeper has successfully graduated from the SWFC academy, completing his scholarship penned in July 2021.
The 17-year-old has since impressed both at Hillsborough and on the international stage, representing Northern Ireland’s Under-17s and Under-19s.
Charles was also called up last month to Ireland’s senior training camp in preparation for their Nations League games against Kosovo and Greece.
Domestically, the Manchester product is a regular with the first team on the Middlewood Road training pitches working alongside the Owls’ senior goalkeepers.
Wednesday manager Darren Moore told swfc.co.uk: “I would like to congratulate Pierce for signing his first professional contract. For a goalkeeper of 17 to be holding his own with the first team squad has been excellent. Every time he has stepped up, he has never looked out of place.
“The future looks bright for him if he continues at his current rate so we’re really pleased to secure his signature.
“Pierce has made huge strides over a short space of time. Obviously with him being 17, he’s still developing physically and his body is still adapting but he’s made that step from training with the youth team to first team, which is a huge step.
“All round, his development is at rapid speed but he’s very level-headed and takes everything in his stride. Long may his development continue on the path that he’s currently on.”
Owls academy manager Steven Haslam said: “We’re delighted to see Pierce commit to a professional contract at the club. He was unfortunate not to get a scholarship at Manchester City and we got in early with Pierce and his family to convince them we could provide a platform for him, and in the last 18 months he’s shown that development.
“He spends a lot of time with the first team in training, plays for the Under-21s a lot and has international experience with Northern Ireland, so we’re really pleased.
“It’s always down to the individual, with the performance level and their attitude and on both fronts Pierce continues to impress everyone at the club.”
Academy goalkeeping coach Nicky Weaver added: “It’s great news for Pierce and his family, it’s well deserved. He’s had huge strides in the time he’s been here but there’s still a lot of hard work to do.
“He’s a great lad with a great attitude, he listens to what you tell him and he takes it on board and that shows in his performances.
“He’s grown physically, when he first came he was quiet as he didn’t know anyone in the group coming from Manchester City and he’s become a big part of the group.
“He’s technically very, very good and now he has to continue his development and learning about the game.”