Wolves have released 8 Academy players this summer, Louie Lefevre shares everything you need to know.
Wolves have released their retained list ahead of the new season which sees several academy players depart the club.
Most notably, Justin Hubner, Aaron Keto-Diyawa and Matty Whittingham make their Wolves exits.
Hubner joined Wolves in January of 2020 from Dutch side Den Bosch. The Indonesian international played for the U21 side over 50 times in the PL2 whilst also captaining the side during his stay at Compton. He made his senior debut while on loan at Japanese club Cerezo Osaka last year.
Whittingham joined the U21 set-up from Manchester City two years ago off the back of winning the U18 Premier League with the Citizens but failed to break into the senior side.
Keto-Diyawa’s departure marks the end of his five-year stint with Wolves since joining from Fulham. The left back has made over 100 appearances for the Wolves academy across U18 and U21 level, making the bench for the senior side in an FA Cup tie with Brentford in January 2024.
A duo of academy goalkeepers have also left Wolves at the expiration of their contracts. Stan Amos and Lucas Kibrya spent time with Darlaston Town (1874) and Wolverhampton Casuals respectively last season. Amos made his last appearance for a youth side when Wolves were dumped out of the Birmingham Senior Cup by Boldmere St. Michaels but helped Darlaston to the Walsall Senior Cup final, losing out to Coleshill Town. Kibrya had two spells with Wolverhampton Casuals, including one deputising for Stan Amos last season, but established himself as the number this campaign. Both players now boast senior football that will aid them in securing their next clubs, most likely in the non-league system.
Also leaving the club are Testimony Igbinoghene, Fil Mabete and Josh Nyakudya. Mabete has been with the club for 8 years, having joined aged 12. The centre-back had his best spell for the U18 side, making 50 appearances in the U18 premier league whilst also being named captain in his final year at that age group. Nyakudya and Igbinoghene depart having never managed to break into James Collins’ U21 group. Igbinoghene managed just one PL2 appearance in 2024/25, playing 20 minutes off the bench in a 4-1 loss to Liverpool U21s.
Always Wolves thanks these players for their time in Old Gold and wishes them all the best with their careers in the future.
Makenzie Bradbury, James Storer, George Hardy, Minkyu Ji and Temple Ojinnaka have all received contract offers to continue their development at Compton Park.
ARTICLE BY LOUIE LEFEVRE
I’m a student and a season ticket holder. I enjoy talking about the next generation of Wolves players and you can usually spot me on Match of the day behind the goal!