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25th September 2024
03:16pm BST
Derry City midfielder Luke O'Donnell has signed for Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed six-figure fee.
The youngster has been capped at Republic of Ireland Under-17 level and competed in their European Qualifiers last season.
The 17-year-old becomes the second City academy player to agree a move to England this month after goalkeeper Conal McDermott signed for Portsmouth a couple of weeks ago.
O'Donnell signed a professional contract at the Brandywell at the start of this season but made his senior debut for Derry back in November 2023, when he was still only 16.
He made his league debut on the final day of the 2023 campaign against St Patrick's Athletic and featured on the substitutes bench on three occasions this season.
"It’s a great move for Luke and he is a player we think very highly of, so it’s no surprise that he has attracted the attention of a big club like Wolves," said Derry City CEO Sean Barrett.
"It’s very pleasing for us as a club that we’re developing players on a pathway, that as well as giving lads the opportunity to move across the water, we’re also focused on providing local players for Derry City."
Wolves Academy manager of Football, Jon Hunter-Barrett, described the club's excitement at getting such a talented youngster into the club.
"Luke’s a boy we tried to sign a year ago so it’s been a real challenge for us but, most importantly, for Luke and his family to wait for this amount of time before officially signing for us," said Hunter-Barrett.
"He’s another versatile player who can play as a six, eight or even as a centre-back, which he’s shown he can do for his national team.
"Luke’s a great height and shape, and an athletic mover who can manage the ball.
"He’s another solid personality, someone who is consistent every day and we feel we can build a development block that’s going to be needed for him to sustain a career in the game moving forward."
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