Farmer pens first professional contract

Owen Farmer has been rewarded with a professional contract at Wolves, four years after first walking through the Compton Park gates as a 14-year-old.

Now 18, the forward has signed on the dotted line once again following an impressive rise through the ranks since his arrival in 2018.

Born in Solihull, the old gold had chased Farmer’s signature after first spotting his potential as an 11-year-old playing for Solihull FC and then Highgate United in the Midland Junior Premier League.

Farmer’s eye for a goal saw him top the scoring charts season-on-season, with his efficient movement and technical qualities also shining through.

He signed a two-year scholarship at Wolves in July 2021 and has continued to flourish at under-18 level this season, while looking at home in recent fixtures for the under-21s.

The striker scored the opening goal in the Premier League Cup victory over Reading last month, before making the step to join first team training with several other youngsters under Julen Lopetegui.

Jon Hunter-Barrett, academy manager for football, said: “I’m delighted to be able to get the deal done and secure Owen’s services to the football club. He’s a humble and hardworking young man who deserves an opportunity at this level.

“His performances at under-18 level and his attitude when asked to step into the under-21s and first team environment so quickly has warranted us making this decision.

“Owen’s personality and drive to improve at football are his key attributes. He’s desperate to succeed, has an eye for goal and is quick and powerful for his shape and size.

“Off the pitch, he pretty much matches his on-the-pitch qualities around having a keen interest to learn and analyse his game. He’s a likeable character amongst his peers and the rest of the staff, and a player everyone enjoys working with.”

Hunter-Barrett has also highlighted the work of the academy recruitment team in ensuring Farmer turned out in the old gold and says the forward has the right mindset to prove his worth.

“Our local recruitment team did an excellent job to get Owen to sign for Wolves because we had quite a lot of competition to get him into the building.

“This season, his performances have been excellent and he’s scored quite a few goals for the under-18s. He likes to play as a number 10 as well as a number nine, so he’s quite adaptable too.

“Stepping into the first team environment, he understands how hard he has to work to keep proving day in, day out that he deserves an opportunity to be there.”

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