WOLVES ACADEMY: JANUARY TRANSFER ROUND UP

It has been a busy couple of weeks for Wolves’ academy in the transfer market with several familiar names leaving on loans or free transfers. It would have been easy to miss out on who has gone where, so here is a brief recap of the Wolves academy transfer news you may have missed.

LOANS:

Lewys Benjamin – Stourbridge

Wales youth international goalkeeper Lewys Benjamin joins a long list of Wolves shot stoppers to try their luck in England’s non-league pyramid. Benjamin joins the likes of Storer, Kibrya and Stan Amos plying their trade at local sides. This move is Benjamin’s first loan away and could see him lift silverware as his new side look towards the quarter-final of the Walsall Senior Cup.

Dexter Lembikisa – Barnsley

Dexter Lembikisa returned to Wolves at the start of January following an unsuccessful stint in Switzerland. The Jamaican international will now play in League One for the first time in what will be his fourth loan move away from Molineux.

Finn Ashworth – Port Vale

19-year-old midfielder Finn Ashworth completed a deadline day loan move to Port Vale, a team he started against in the EFL Trophy earlier this season. Ashworth will experience a first-team environment for the first time and gain valuable experience, though the statement from his new club hints that Ashworth may not receive that much game time.

Tawanda Chirewa – Huddersfield Town

Injuries played a part in what was undeniably a poor spell for Tawanda Chirewa at Derby County this season. The former Ipswich Town man was recalled at the start of January and has since impressed in several U21 appearances that have secured him a loan to League One Huddersfield Town. Chirewa will link up with fellow Wolves loanees Nigel Lonwijk and Joe Hodge in the hunt for a play-off place.

TRANSFERS:

Owen Farmer – Leamington (FREE)

Striker Owen Farmer left Wolves after six years in the academy to join Leamington FC in the National League North. Farmer had first-team experience last season when he spent the latter part of the season with Rushall Olympic in the same division. Farmer had struggled for U21 game time this season, falling behind Fletcher Holman and Dani Angel in the pecking order.

Fraser Harper – Newcastle United (FREE)

Young midfielder Fraser Harper had actually been a free agent since the summer and spent his season so far bouncing around Premier League sides on trial, including Arsenal and his new permanent home, Newcastle United. 

Harry Birtwistle – SV Wacker Burghausen (FREE)

Once one of Wolves’ brightest prospects, Birtwistle had only made one appearance this season in the Birmingham Senior Cup. Birtwistle had fallen behind Wes Okoduwa and Marvin Kaleta in the previous two U21 campaigns and now moves to fourth tier of German football to continue his career.

Lennon Patterson – FREE AGENT

Lennon Patterson announced his departure from Wolves after eight years this month following a trial period at Arsenal that saw him feature for youth teams as well as train with Mikel Arteta’s side. Arsenal are believed to be the leading candidates to sign Patterson, though Brighton & Hove Albion also have an interest.

Luke Cundle – Millwall (£1M)

22-year-old Luke Cundle departed Wolves this window to complete a return to the championship. Cundle had found opportunities hard to come by at Molineux despite a promising pre-season and now moves to The Den to bring an end to ten years at Compton. Cundle scored and received man of the match on his Millwall debut.

RETURNED TO WOLVES:

George Hardy – Returned from Highgate United

George Hardy looks set to act as the U18 number one for the remainder of the season, bringing an end to his loan at Highgate United. Lewys Benjamin’s exit opens the door for Josh Gracey to complete a step up in age groups, while Hardy will capitalise on the gap left between the sticks for Richard Walker’s side. 

Nathan Fraser – Returned from Zulte Waregem

Promising striker Nathan Fraser has returned to Wolves early to end a disastrous loan in Belgium’s second tier. Fraser has already returned to the fold for the U21s and could come into the first-team picture as strikers Jorgen Strand Larsen, Leon Chiwome and Sasa Kalajdzic all recover from injuries.