Will Grainger, a talented Sheffield Wednesday youngster, has signed a scholarship contract with the club.
The 16-year-old, who has fought his way up Middlewood Road’s youth ranks, is extremely highly regarded by the club and has created a devastating partnership with Caelan-Kole Cadamarteri as a member of the U18s this season.
Grainger scored 14 goals and assisted on many more as Andy Sharp’s team finished second in the Professional Development League, but they were unable to go to the play-off final after losing to Bristol City in the semi-finals.
There had been some concern about the talented teenager’s future given his exploits at international youth level football for Wales and the growing interest in him from other clubs, but it is now understood that he has officially signed a scholarship at Hillsborough for the 2025/26 season.
Will Grainger signed his Owls scholarship.
His growth has been so outstanding that the attacker has been given the opportunity to train with the seniors at Middlewood Road under Danny Röhl, and with Wednesday’s continuous financial problems, he may be included in the first team’s preseason ahead of the new season.
Sharp recently addressed All Wednesday about how difficult the transition can be; nevertheless, Grainger and Cadamarteri were able to negotiate the situation well because they played above their age group the previous year.
“The situation we’ve had, with some U15s involved with us, one or two, and you see the difference,” he shared with the audience. “It’s difficult for them. The biggest and most visible problem is the physical difference; depending on when their birthdays fall, some of those guys are three years older! It makes a huge impact.
“It’s difficult for a variety of reasons, and not just physically. Those sons are in school, so they are attempting to balance that. So some guys are with us full-time for their apprenticeship, while others are juggling school, exams, and other responsibilities… It’s only when you work with it that you become aware of it.”
Grainger is anticipated to play a significant role at the young level this season, but after experiencing U21 football last season, it’s unclear which age group he’ll be spending the most time with.
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